Mini Budget 22: Construction outcome
Credit UK Government via Flickr
- £8 local authorities will create investment zones
- Tax cuts and breaks for businesses
- Fast tracked planning applications
- National Insurance cuts & incentives
- Plant and machinery purchase 100% tax rebates
- Stamp duty cut on commercial buildings
- Enhanced structures & building allowance which reduces taxable profits
- Freeport extension commitment
With the raft of incentives outlined above the mini-budget has been seen as positive for the construction industry.
The Growth Plan outlined in the budget will apparently stimulate infrastructure projects across the United Kingdom numbering 138 said to begin before 2023.
It’s somewhat controversial as the ban on fracking and onshore wind projects have both been removed and 5 oil & gas projects are named in the plan, along with removal of some green planning restrictions.
Roads, rail and energy projects comprise the planned projects list. Reception has been mainly positive however questions have been raised regarding route to delivery, reneging on climate promises and supply chain issues which come with accelerating hundreds of different infrastructure projects all at once.
Sisk wins £70m Yorkshire landslide road
Credit The joy of all things via Wikimedia commons
John Sisk and Son have won the contract to reroute the A59 at Kex Gill which is currently a major landslide hazard. That section of road has been closed 12 times in 22 years due to landslides. Sisk will build a new route away from the damaged land.
Originally the project was forecast to cost £7.2m but due to inflation the cost has skyrocketed to almost 10 times that amount with the lion’s share being earthworks and ‘construction equipment fuel costs.’
Funding will be taken out of the Brexit fund and Department for Transport.
Construction will start in December 2022 and is expected to complete in May 2025.
Dorothy the HS2 tunnel boring machine
Credit: HS2
Last week we heard about Silvertown Tunnel Boring Machine Jill, this week it’s HS2’s Dorothy! She has completed the first tunnel south Long Itchington Wood Tunnel, now she will begin the north side north. The operating team is Balfour Beatty VINCI.
In total Dorothy is 120m long and drives 150m per day. The tunnel is 1.6km and runs under Itchington Wood. The cutter head is 160 tonnes and with a 10-metre diameter.
Breakthrough is scheduled for next Summer.
Kier begins Derbyshire dam maintenance
Credit Raymond Knapman via geograph.org
Kier has commenced work on repairs to Toddbrook Reservoir Dam in Whaley Bridge Derbyshire.
In 2019 the dam’s spillway partially collapsed in the biggest dam incident in more than a decade. 1,500 nearby residents were evacuated, and engineers were onsite within hours for a 48 hour rescue mission by Kier and Royal Airforce which dumped 1,000 sandbags to save the dam.
In the next few weeks construction will commence on a new overflow spillway
Galliford Try, Keltbray and Sisk hand cost of living payment to staff
Credit: Galliford Try
At least three contractors have opted to voluntarily pay staff to aid in the cost of living crisis being Galliford Try, Keltbray and Sisk with one-off payments ranging from £750 to £1,000.
In addition, Sisk is adding £400 as a Christmas payment.
£1.2bn A12 upgrade plans submitted
Credit: gov.uk
£1.2bn plans to upgrade the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester will be widened to 3 lanes in each direction in the submitted plans which have been submitted. The strip carries around 9-12% heavy traffic above the national average of 5%.
They also include 2 bypasses and a number of junctions to enable better traffic flow.
The plans should be approved in a six month examination process.
Work is due to commence in 2023-24 if plans are approved.
Wates wins £53m Grade II City of London development
Credit: Stiff & Trevillion
Wates has been appointed by developer Pembroke to redevelop Edwardian Grade II listed 41 Lothbury which was originally Natwest Bank HQ. The new plans include rooftop gardens and a terrace, a new foyer and new interior.
The building will be brought up to BREEAM excellent sustainability standard.