Electric Vehicle Chargepoints as British as Phone Boxes?
Currently the UK has only 1 chargepoint for every 27.2 vehicles – the worst of 12 countries & even 2 US states. The new design unveiled on transport day at COP26 was created by the Royal College of Art prioritises ‘inclusivity and ease of use’ and was also created to raise awareness & generate excitement around electric vehicles. The Government has committed to phase out fossil fuels by 2030 and signed up with 31 other countries to make electric vehicles the new normal. UK went a step further than other countries by vowing to phase out non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles by 2035. Makes you proud to be British!
National Highways New Environmental Sustainability Team
National Highways has created a new 50-person Environmental Sustainability team with the remit of achieving carbon net zero by working with teams & the board to cut carbon emissions across England’s motorways. It is not a completely new team rather a restructuring of various existing teams and a new carbon team into one central division to raise the profile of environmentalism in the Government organisation. It will deliver improved environmental outcomes, decarbonise transport and support biodiversity through its approach to the environment.
Internet Connectivity for New, Temporary and Challenging locations…
For new, temporary and challenging locations why not consider the EMS i-MO OptiBond solution? Delivers fast / resilient aggregated 4G and / or fixed line services to site in days. Delivers fast no-fail internet instantly. The system is widely used on difficult to serve and new commercial and infrastructure projects. See www.ems-imo.com
Competition launched to rethink South London railway arches
Lambeth Council supported by Wandsworth Council is running a competition to redesign the Victorian railway arches in Vauxhall and Nine Elms. The competition aims to connect new high-rise developments in the areas with 19th infrastructure. Aims of the competition include creating a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists, improving visual connections to nearby attractions and green spaces and encouraging micro neighbourhood communities.
Award-winning wearable technology
North London Heat and Power Project deployed beable® Wearable to keep workers safe and productive; it facilitates physical distancing as well as interaction tracking. Co-developed by Electronic Media Services and COMIT Projects and funded by Innovate UK, the new technology has been well received and plans to further rollout with greater functionality are underway.
UK construction growth slows despite improved supply chain
UK Construction growth slowed in December as inflation reached 5.1% its highest point in a decade. Energy prices are set to rise 50% this year and inflation to peak in Spring at 6%. However, another story said that construction buyers reported the strongest rise in new orders in December due to materials coming back into supply after yearlong shortages.
Circular Economy Webinar: 11am on 3 February
The construction industry accounts for approximately 60% of UK materials use and one third of all waste. By maximising total material resource efficiency and moving beyond the 3 R’s of reduce, reuse and recycle, implementing sustainable materials and the concept of a circular economy in construction is certainly achievable.
- Exploring circular business models to achieve waste reduction, cost effectiveness and sustainability goals
- Review the business case for procuring reused or recycled construction components
- The need for contractors to look beyond the greenwashing of construction products when choosing sustainable solutions
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