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Local subcontractors looking to win work on the £80m police Avon and Somerset Police Accommodation PFI Project are being invited to an open day next week to meet the main contractors.

The event is being organised by Miller Construction and Cofely who are part of the Blue Light Partnership consortium.

Subcontractors with experience working on medium to large sized projects are invited to attend at The Exchange, Express Park, Bristol Road, Bridgwater, TA6 4RR on Wednesday May 23.

A presentation from Blue Light Partnership will be followed by an opportunity for suppliers to speak with representatives from the consortium to get more information on the construction and facilities management project.

Interested firms should email jennifer.cobner@miller.co.uk to register their details.

Kevin Dickson of Miller Construction, said: “This is the second open day we have held in a bid to find local subcontractors to work with us on the Avon and Somerset PFI Project.

“We are keen to establish interest from local companies with the capabilities and expertise to work with us to deliver the four contracts within this project.”

The Avon and Somerset Police Accommodation PFI Project includes Somerset’s Operations Base which will be home to a Custody and Crime Investigation Centre, Specialist Operations and an Enquiry Office; a Custody and Crime Investigation Centre and Police Station in Patchway; a Custody and Crime Investigation Centre in Keynsham and a Tri-force Indoor Firearms Training Centre for Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire police forces, near Portishead.

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Chartered surveyors are the latest profession to report a recovery in construction.

The RICS Construction Market Survey showed industry activity edging-up during the first quarter of this year.

The findings fly in the face of official construction output data and back-up the positive sentiment of construction buyers.

The RICS survey found that 8% more chartered surveyors across the UK reported increases rather than decreases in workloads.

That is a significant change to the end of 2011 which showed a negative reading.

Predictions for future construction activity also saw a marked improvement in the first quarter of the year with 21% more surveyors expecting workloads to rise over the next twelve months – the most positive reading since the early part of 2008.

Job prospects are also expected to improve despite profit margins remaining under pressure.

Surveyors in London and the South East reported the highest rises in overall activity, while those in the North recorded the first positive reading since the final quarter of 2007.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, said: “The start of the year saw a cautious level of optimism develop across the UK construction industry.

“Workloads rose across the sector, albeit modestly, and this looks as though it could continue over the next twelve months. Promisingly, this could also result in an increase in the numbers of jobs created in the sector.

“There are of course still significant hurdles to overcome. Finance for development remains a problem as does macro economic uncertainty.

“On top of this, the public sector will continue to scale back its capital spending programme putting ever more pressure on the private sector and institutional investors to deliver.”

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A joint venture between British Land and Tesco has gained planning permission for a 110,000 sq ft extension to a shopping complex in South East London.

The partners also plan to extensively refurbish the 309,000 sq ft existing shopping centre at Canada Water on Rotherhithe Peninsula under the £30m investment plan.

Construction work is due to start on site in spring 2013 with completion scheduled for summer 2014.

Up to £4m will be invested in public realm improvements around the centre as well as improved connections to Surrey Quays station and Canada Water tube and bus stations.

David Pollock, retail development manager for British Land, said: “The approval for the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre extension is important for the wider regeneration of Canada Water and Rotherhithe and demonstrates our commitment to the area.

“The extension and refurbishment will create additional space that will allow us to attract and accommodate new and exciting retailers, ensuring that Surrey Quays remains competitive in today’s market.

“The current shopping experience will be significantly improved for both existing and new customers.”

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Kier is in pole position to win a £50m contract to build 625 lodges at Center Parc’s new development at the Warren Wood Forest Village, near Woburn.

The contract for the lodges has been tendered separately from the main construction package on the £250m development which has gone to Bowmer & Kirkland.

The Enquirer understands Kier is now on a shortlist of two for the job and is favourite to win.

The original bidders also included Ardmore, ISG and Leadbitter.

One source close to the project said: “Kier are very keen to win this.

“They have put in a very competitive bid and look favourites after Ardmore were ruled out of the running.”

The new site will be the fifth holiday village to be built by Center Parcs in the UK.

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Shepherd aims to cut school building costs by 40%Grant Prior | Wed 9th May | 9:59

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Shepherd is looking to cut the cost of school construction work by up to 40% with a new initiative launched in the wake of the James Review.

Shepherd will save money via its new ‘Options’ package by pooling the resources and expertise of its operating companies and supply chain partners.

Divisions within Shepherd include Shepherd Construction, SES, SES Prism, Shepherd FM, Portakabin and Yorkon.

The initiative will use standard components for projects and will drive out any waste and duplication through the planning process and project delivery phase.

The system will work for modular construction, tradition new-build or refurbishment but will not deliver a standardised building.

Gary Edwards, Executive Director of Strategic Development for Shepherd Group Built Environment said: “We have listened carefully to all stakeholder groups.

“Offering a solution that standardises the process, materials and certain aspects of design whilst leaving clients with a product that really suits their individual needs is critical – Options allows this.

“Whether for a nursery, primary or secondary school, there is no doubt that we can deliver school buildings for less.

“We’re harnessing our joint experience which has been amassed after completing more than 1200 education projects during the past five years, equivalent to £748 million of improvements across the UK.

“This experience, together with our transparent systems and our partnership working ethos means we can retain a flexible approach while giving clients far more certainty and choice when it comes to delivering their vision within their budget.”

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Morgan Sindall and Kier are believed to be the last two contractors battling it out for the £20m job to modernise Manchester Victoria station.

The project will see the winning contractor install a huge ETFE roofing canopy across the station concourse as well as carrying out other improvements.

Both firms have submitted their final bids and are now waiting for Network Rail to make a decision.

One source told the Enquirer: “The word is Morgan Sindall may have a slightly cheaper bid but Kier has put in a very detailed bid and can’t be ruled out.”

The £20m project would see an ETFE roofing canopy erected, similar to that used on the Eden Project.

Up to £16m of the cost will be Network Rail funded with the balance coming from Transport for Greater Manchester.

The improvements are intended to future-proof the station allowing for the imminent electrification of the line to Liverpool and would also take into account big improvements planned under the Northern Hub upgrade proposals.

Plans to improve Victoria station further include new shops and cafes, better Metrolink facilities, and refurbishment and renewal of the Grade II listed station building.

If consent is granted early, construction would begin in summer 2013 with completion by winter 2014.

Graham Botham, programme sponsor at Network Rail, said: “Our plans see Victoria transformed by the end of 2014, acting as a further catalyst in an area where the Co-operative Group is regenerating 20 acres of land around the station.

“That’s why we have been working so closely with the city council and English Heritage to resolve any planning issues resulting from the station’s listed status.”

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The director of a fire safety specialist has been handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do community service for falsely claiming to be accredited by the Electrical Contractors’ Association.

Julian Price, director of Cotswold Fire Group (CFG), falsely claimed the firm was accredited in bids for large NHS contracts.

Price received a 40 week suspended prison sentence and a 150 hour community service order for committing two counts of Fraud by False Representation.

CFG had previously won a contract with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to supply and service fire extinguishers across the trust’s sites from November 2007 to October 2008.

The trust terminated the contract before its expiry because they were unhappy with the standard and quality of service.

In February 2008, Price submitted unsuccessful bids for two other contracts with the same trust, for the maintenance of fire alarms and emergency lighting. The total value of the contracts was £290,000 over five years.

In his bid, Price claimed to be accredited by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) but submitted an incomplete certificate, which did not name his or any other company.

The investigation found Price had not been accredited, and neither he nor CFG had been issued with a certificate.

CFG also falsely claimed to be certificated by the Security System Alarms Inspection Board.

CFG held a number of contracts nationally with NHS trusts, some in line with the NHS PASA approved contractor scheme, and other NHS trust in-house contracts.

Price was arrested and interviewed under caution in February 2010. He pleaded not guilty in May 2011 and did not change his plea to guilty until March 2012.

The investigation was led by fraud-busters at NHS Protect.

Mick Hayes, Anti-Fraud Lead at NHS Protect, said: “In the business of keeping hospitals safe from fire, the NHS and public expect total integrity from contractors.

“So it is very serious that Julian Price and his Cotswold Fire Group attempted to provide services to the NHS using false qualifications and accreditations.

“These standards and systems exist with good reason. Fraud is a crime, and NHS Protect will examine all allegations of fraud against the NHS, and wherever appropriate, will launch a criminal investigation and press for the strongest sanctions.”

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The University of Birmingham has submitted plans for the £175m expansion of its historic Edgbaston campus.

A key element of the new proposals includes building a 50m swimming pool and new library.

The plans, which will be funded by the university and alumni donations, also involve extending student accommodation and staff car parking over the next five years.

S&P Architects and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands are working together to draw up plans to build the scheme a brownfield site located at the south east corner of the Edgbaston Campus.

It is hoped that planned sports centre will cement the university’s reputation as one of the leading sporting universities in the UK.

Director of Estates Ian Barker said: “Although we are very proud of the Edgbaston campus these are significant and exciting projects that will benefit students, staff and the local area. The University was founded to be an asset for the city and these plans have that aim in mind.

“For that reason, a number of developments, like the proposed new sports centre, swimming pool and the cultural hub, focus on facilities that will benefit the community as well as staff and students.

“We also hope that extending student accommodation and staff car parking on campus will relieve pressure on Selly Oak. Our plans also envisage a reduction in the University’s environmental impact and carbon footprint.”

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Network Rail has unveiled details of its next major station redevelopment at Bristol Temple Meads.

A high-level feasibility study is currently being carried out to determine the economic benefits of the plan to transform Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s iconic station, which is subject to government funding.

Network Rail proposes to expand the station area and increase train services to cater for growing rail demand in Bristol where passenger number are set to boom by 44% over the next ten years.

The work will coincide with the £1bn electrification of the Great Western line between Bristol and London.

And if all goes to plan the refurbishment will start in the spring of 2014 and would be completed by 2018, when the new high speed service between London and Bristol is launched.

The revamp plan includes building two more platforms, a new eastern station entrance and new subways.
It would also see several infrastructure enhancements like remodelling of a key junction into the station area, additional infrastructure on the line to Bristol Parkway and line-speed improvements to the south west.

Network Rail route managing director Patrick Hallgate, said: “Bristol Temple Meads is located right at the heart of the enterprise zone and is among the busiest and fastest growing rail interchanges on the Western route, receiving more than 9 million passengers on average every year.
“Redeveloping the station into a world-class rail gateway, with excellent rail links, will be significant to help position the new business district as an ideal location for investment, whilst boosting economic growth and catering for growing rail demand.”

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Hundreds of subcontractors and suppliers will get none of the cash they were owed from collapsed M&E contractor MJN Colston.

Administrator Deloitte has revealed the firm went down with total debts of £49m, leaving nothing for unsecured trade creditors owed around £41m.

Only GE Capital Finance, which provided funding for the company, will get its £4.4m back. Even the taxman will be left £2.8m out of pocket.

Deliotte said in its report: “After discharging the costs of the administration we do not anticipate there will be any realisations from floating charge assets.

“Accordingly, we do not expect any funds to be available to pay a dividend to the unsecured creditors of either MJN or SES by way of a prescribed part or otherwise.”

Net of the GE payment, administrators only managed to raise £711,000, which was soaked up in staff wages and administration fees.

MJN Colston suffered severe cash flow problems as work dried up and turnover fell from £135m to around £100m.

But the final blow was delivered when credit insurance cover was unexpectedly withdrawn from a number of its key suppliers and they refused to supply MJN with further goods.

Deliotte said: “Other creditors in the supply chain became aware that MJN was in difficulty and similarly refused supply.”

The defence estate prime contracting business in Bristol and Bury St Edmonds was bought for £750,000 by rival contractor Integral, led by former MJN Colston managing director Brian Glastonbury.

This saved around 58 jobs, but 389 staff at the general contracting operation were laid off.