Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for June 2010
30/06/2010
A total of 23 workers were killed at work in Scotland between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010, according to new figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today. This is compared to an average of 31 work-related deaths in the past five years across the country, and 26 fatal injuries i
30/06/2010
Archial Architects has won the design competition to replace outdated sheltered accommodation at Abbeyfield House, Rosemarkie with modern homes that more closely meet older tenants’ requirements. The aim of the £1.8 million project in Fortrose, Ross-shire, is to develop accommodation that offers te
30/06/2010
One of Aberdeen's most important landmarks has taken a significant step forward in its bid to secure funding from the Green Township Heritage Initiative (THI). The Tivoli Theatre, which opened in December 1872 (34 years before His Majesty's Theatre opened) and finally closed its doors in 1997, by w
30/06/2010
Workplace design specialists Space Solutions is to partner with one of Scotland’s largest charities in what’s believed to be one of the first ‘business’ collaborations of its kind between the private and charitable sectors. Cornerstone has appointed Space Solutions to handle all its property requir
30/06/2010
H2Ology Ltd, the award winning Scottish based water systems company, has expanded their facilities by establishing their Research & Development Department at The Technopole Centre, The Bush Estate, near Edinburgh. Edinburgh Technopole, The University of Edinburgh's world class Science and Technolog
30/06/2010
Without action, the significant loss of skills and capacity experienced by the Scottish construction sector during the recent recession could hamper Scotland’s transition to a low carbon economy, industry bosses have warned. A Scottish Government consultation on its discussion paper “Towards a low
30/06/2010
Unitised curtain walling from leading architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer met a host of criteria for the Grade A office building that tops architects BDP’s £120 million masterplan for the heart of Glasgow’s international financial services district. Installed by glazed façade contracto
30/06/2010
Gail Galbraith, has been appointed Business Development Manager at Clark Contracts. She returns to the company after two years at global construction consultants Davis Langdon, where she was Business Development Manager. Gail’s new role will be to manage group business development and marketing w
29/06/2010
GB Building Solutions has won an award at the Construction News Quality Awards in the category of Health & Safety Small Company. The firm promoted their innovative ‘WIPE’ campaign to be part of the best of the construction industry. The CNQ Awards is a celebration of the quality demonstrated by th
29/06/2010
The experimental ‘Kingdom House’ is being trialled as a sustainability house, to test different technologies and determine which elements could be incorporated into future affordable housing projects. The house has been designed by Oliver and Robb Architects to meet stringent standards set down by
29/06/2010
Pupils from Irvine Royal Academy and Auchenharvie Academy visited the Hawkshill House housing development in Largs – as part of a radical education project being run by a local builder and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. The youngsters were guests of Billy Kirkwood of RobertRyan Homes, who is work
29/06/2010
Over £10 million of new contracts has been secured by Clark Contracts, the construction, refurbishment and maintenance company. Among the contracts is the £2 million refurbishment and fit out of the GMB Union’s offices at Fountain House, at Charing Cross, Glasgow and the £580,000 refurbishment of E
29/06/2010
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced today the first step of a major new programme to deliver the benefits of local ownership of energy into the hands of Scotland's communities and businesses. Making the keynote speech at the Scottish and Southern Energy business reception at the Royal
29/06/2010
Scottish property consultants CKD Galbraith has announced details of their expansion in Ayrshire with the amalgamation of Donalds Chartered Surveyors. Donalds is a diverse practice including land agency, development consultancy and cottage lettings. The merger, which will take effect from 1 Septemb
29/06/2010
Two brave Glasgow women abseiled 150 feet down the city’s enormous Titan Crane and raised over £750 for Epilepsy Scotland during National Epilepsy Week. Cumbernauld teenager Leanne Richardson (19) joined Lorna Figures (22) from Bearsden to take part and also roped in friends to show their support f
29/06/2010
Radical steps are being taken to attract new retailers to Paisley’s High Street. Scottish government minister, Stewart Stevenson launched Renfrewshire Council’s initiative - the first of its kind in the UK - aimed at boosting the number of big-name retailers in the town centre. The council has hir
28/06/2010
The biggest development of low cost homes ever built in the North East will form part of a new urban village on the site of a former paper mill beside the River Don in the Tillydrone area of Aberdeen. The Scottish Government is committing £21 million, with local housing associations providing anoth
28/06/2010
The Scottish Building Federation is calling on newly appointed Liberal Democrat ministers in the UK Cabinet to honour their own party’s manifesto commitment to cut VAT on repair and maintenance works. Discussions around future rates of VAT do not feature as part of the coalition agreement reached
28/06/2010
A contemporary home, designed by Archial Architects for Forbes of Kingennie, has been named luxury house of the year at the Scottish Home Awards. Combining New England-influenced architecture with traditional Scottish materials, ‘house type one’ at the rural Kingennie Fields development on the outs
28/06/2010
A pledge to secure employment and training opportunities for local people to help deliver the latest phase of the multi-million pound transformation of Dundee Waterfront has been made by the partners backing the project. Dundee City Council, Discover Opportunities and contractor Farrans have signed
28/06/2010
Road resurfacing work worth more than £820,000 is about to be carried out on Mull, Islay and Jura. The tender has been won by Ennstone Thistle Ltd, and work is programmed to start on Mull before the end of June. The resurfacing on Islay and Jura will be done once the Mull projects have been complet
28/06/2010
The £420,000 project to improve facilities at Arbroath Bus Station is now well underway. The work is being carried out in phases to minimise disruption with the first phase – a new pedestrian entrance to the bus station from Burnside Drive – now completed. Other completed works include new door fr
28/06/2010
Pupils from Auchenharvie Academy and Irvine Royal Academy presented their innovative ideas to a panel of experts this week as part of the ground-breaking education project – “tomorrow’s homes today”. The project fits under the ‘i live’ theme of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company’s vision for the area,
28/06/2010
GeoMEM Ltd, the Scottish based independent reseller of Earth Science software and borehole data gathering and analysis software and instruments, today announced that it has been appointed as the main Scotland, England, Wales & Irish representative for Devico’s Borehole survey tools. GeoMEM who are
25/06/2010
Planning Aid for Scotland (PAS) has published new guidelines for its planning advice service to include, in some cases, business start-ups, social enterprises and development trusts. The revised guidance recognises their vital role in economic growth and the need to have access to a full range of p
25/06/2010
Following a competitive tendering process, Ryden has been appointed by Clacksfirst Limited as their recommended rating surveyor for the 2010 Scottish Rating Revaluation. Clacksfirst Limited is a Business Improvement District (BID) company representing around 198 members, who are owners or occupiers
25/06/2010
The 'Our talking wall' monument has been officially opened at Saltcoats promenade. Councillor Ronnie McNicol praised the initiative at its launch, and councillors, officials and local people involved in it all attended. The project sees the thoughts, hopes and views of local people etched into gran
25/06/2010
Lochbroom House, a care home for 11 older people in Ullapool, will be officially reopened on Tuesday 6 July following a £1.4 million refurbishment. Guests will join residents at an open day to celebrate the facelift. The centre is the ninth Council care home to be refurbished under the Council’s
25/06/2010
Fife Council has agreed to buy the former ADC building at Bankhead, Glenrothes as part of its plans to modernise and rationalise the buildings it owns across Fife. The new facility will become a depot hub for the council in central Fife bringing together a number of services including grounds maint
25/06/2010
The regeneration of Denny Town Centre is set to progress, following Wednesday's approval by Falkirk Council of a revised transformation scheme for the town. The amended scheme will see the demolition of the Church Walk blocks and the provision of a new foodstore, retail space and public library, w
25/06/2010
Councillors in Dundee will next week be asked to agree a strategy for the future of allotments in the city. The city council's leisure, arts and communities committee will on Monday (June 28) be discussing adoption of a strategy that sets out a vision for allotments over the next five years. Commi
25/06/2010
The Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust, on behalf of the River South Esk Catchment Partnership, has been awarded £20,000 by the Angus Environment Trust to launch the first phase of the River South Esk Catchment Management Plan. The success of this application ensures that match funding previously award
24/06/2010
A construction industry award scheme, that helps disadvantaged young people build brighter futures for them selves, has kicked off its 2010 programme. More than 700 employers and training organisations throughout the UK have been contacted by Youthbuild UK, organisers of the Young Builder of the Y
24/06/2010
Archial Architects has been appointed by Total E&P UK Limited, the Aberdeen based subsidiary of the French oil and gas multinational, to design temporary living quarters and leisure facilities to house 800 construction workers in Shetland as work starts on building a £500 million gas processing plan
24/06/2010
A new law that will ditch the right to buy (RTB) for new council house and housing association tenants moved a step closer today. In the Scottish Parliament, MSPs debated the Housing Bill, a new package of measures to improve the supply and quality of housing in Scotland. Once the legislation come
24/06/2010
Two new chemistry rooms at Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr are giving students the opportunity to bring science to life in state-of-the-art surroundings. An old chemistry room has been refurbished to create two new chemistry rooms and a fume cabinet. Councillor Hywel Davies, Lifelong Learning Portfo
24/06/2010
Some 300 pupils at Hillington Primary School, south-west Glasgow, entered a poster design competition organised by Lovell. As part of its ongoing safety campaign in schools, Lovell set pupils a fun challenge to design a poster spelling out the message that children and young people should always k
24/06/2010
Work has begun on a replacement for one of Moray’s largest secondary schools. The new Elgin Academy will be built next to the existing school, which dates from the late 1960s. The first turf on the site was cut yesterday today by Councillor Jeff Hamilton, chairman of Moray Council’s children and y
24/06/2010
The new Seaview Primary School in Monifieth was officially opened on Tuesday 22 June. The new state of the art building provides top quality accommodation for pupils, meeting the demands of a 21st Century teaching environment, while incorporating the best in sustainable design Recognising that the
24/06/2010
Deral has announced a new partnership with Martin Machinery. John Mackay of Deral commented: "Martin are well known for manufacturing very high quality panel saws, spindles and planers. We are delighted to be associated with such a long established and prestigious company. Our philosophisy has alwa
23/06/2010
Formartine councillors will be asked to grant full planning permission for a championship golf course at the Menie Estate, near Balmedie, next week. Applicant Trump International Golf Links Scotland is seeking full permission for the construction of the golf course, along with the creation of a dr
23/06/2010
Delivery of the Borders Railway moved a step closer today as Transport Scotland announced its intention to invite three organisations consisting of seven of Europe’s biggest construction and financial companies to tender for the contract The three organisations that have been invited to participate
23/06/2010
Fashion retailer Primark has reached a crucial milestone in its plans to create a flagship store on Scotland’s most famous shopping street. A detailed planning application has now been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for a new flagship store on Princes Street. The plans have been influe
23/06/2010
The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) plans to relocate its Inverness operation from the premises at Drummondhill, Lochardil to the proposed new Inverness Campus at East Beechwood. SAC currently employs around 115 staff at thirteen locations throughout the Highlands and Islands with approximately
23/06/2010
A £1.6 million contract for major road improvements works at Mauchline on the A76 in Ayrshire has been awarded. The Transport Scotland scheme will be undertaken by Barr Ltd, and will benefit Mauchline village with approximately one mile of upgraded road surface, associated drainage works, improved
23/06/2010
Bernard McKeown, managing director of energy consultancy CADmeleon, has called on the government to address existing building stock as a matter of urgency in order to meet its long term carbon reduction targets. The UK faces an uphill struggle in order to meet its self-imposed carbon targets unless
23/06/2010
Repair work will be carried out on the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, Aberdeen, next month. The drainage system at the north end of the bridge is failing and potholes are opening up on the carriageway as a result. The system is to be repaired to allow the bridge to continue functioning properly. The £1
23/06/2010
Shelter Scotland have renewed calls for more affordable housing in response to yesterdays UK Budget announcements on housing benefit and Support for Mortgage Interest. Gordon MacRae, head of Communications and Policy at the housing and homelessness charity, said: “Shelter Scotland has been calling
22/06/2010
A hydro scheme that can power 1,600 homes has been approved by the Government. The 3 Megawatt Cia-Aig scheme, near Achnacarry in Inverness-shire, will employ up to 20 people during construction and provide local community benefits. Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "The Cia-Aig scheme is another go
22/06/2010
Morgan Sindall, the construction, infrastructure and design business of the Morgan Sindall Group, has been awarded the design and build contract for the £95.4m Tayside Acute Adult Mental Health Developments scheme in Scotland. Working jointly for sister company Morgan Sindall Investments Limited an
22/06/2010
An increase in the rate of VAT for repairs and maintenance work of buildings will be a charter for cowboys, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) ahead of the Government's Emergency Budget. Richard Diment, Director General of the FMB said: "Any increase in the current rate of VAT for buildi
22/06/2010
A Scottish company has scooped a top industry award for its innovative project to light up one of the world’s most iconic modern buildings. Edinburgh-based lighting design specialists Lighting Design Partnership International (LDP International) won the accolade for its work in illuminating the Bah
22/06/2010
Over £10m of new contracts has been secured by Clark Contracts, the construction, refurbishment and maintenance company. Among the contracts is the £2m refurbishment and fit out of the GMB Union’s offices at Fountain House, at Charing Cross, Glasgow and the £580,000 refurbishment of Erskine Swimmin
22/06/2010
Excitement is growing as Camera Obscura and World of Illusions puts the finishing touches to its highly anticipated renovation, set to launch just two weeks today. Edinburgh’s oldest purpose-built visitor attraction will open the doors to its £1.2m extension on Tuesday 06 July, unveiling a collecti
22/06/2010
Saving the Crichton Campus in Dumfries has created an institution which will contribute more than £300 million to the South of Scotland economy. The growing success was outlined today at a conference which mapped out the plans for campus over the next ten years. Education Secretary Michael Russell
22/06/2010
Eco Pressure Clean, a dynamic new company set up by experienced Scottish business man Keith Edwards, will clean almost any external hard surface safely using controlled high pressure water and no chemicals. He was contacted by the Scottish Poetry Library,
21/06/2010
Construction industry bosses have blamed a lack of bank lending as the major cause of a decline in private sector building work over the past 12 months, according to the latest quarterly membership survey by the Scottish Building Federation. The new results also show that industry confidence has sl
21/06/2010
The first phase of an ambitious £6 million project to provide a centre for excellence in Inverclyde has been completed. Contractors have finished work on a new 3G all-weather pitch with floodlights at the Parklea site ending the first of a six phase scheme that will transform the facilities availab
21/06/2010
The completion of a major phase of the construction of Dundee City Council's new headquarters was marked on Friday June 18 with a "topping out" ceremony. Dundee House is being constructed for the council on the North Lindsay Street site by main contractor Bovis Lend Lease. Taking part in the cerem
21/06/2010
The Highland Council has spoken of it's "delight" that the board of management of Inverness College has chosen Beechwood – to the south-east of Inverness – for the site of its new campus. The Council had unanimously supported the choice of Beechwood. It sees the development of a new, high-quality
21/06/2010
Green fingers have been hard at work at South Ayrshire Council's Southcraig Campus creating a fantastic new garden at the school. Pupils and young people from the Council's Skills Towards Employment Project (STEP) have worked together to design the garden to ensure that it was purpose built to meet
21/06/2010
First Minister, Alex Salmond, officially opened the new stable yard complex at Musselburgh Racecourse on Friday 18 June prior to the start of the sell-out Ladies Day race meeting. In addition to the stables a new stable staff restaurant and bar, ground staff workshops and secure fenced compound has
21/06/2010
Scottish business leaders have thrown their weight behind building firm Rok’s campaign to save jobs and skills in the construction industry. With new Chancellor George Osborne due to announce his Emergency Budget on June 22, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses Scot
21/06/2010
Link Group has been named ‘Large Housing Association of the Year’ in the 2010 Scottish Home Awards. Link’s approach to business planning, marketing its affordable homes and customer and property care caught the eye of the judging panel. Craig Sanderson, Chief Executive of Link Group said: “We are
18/06/2010
The Scottish Minister for Housing and Communities, Mr Alex Neil, will today visit the iconic site once occupied by Paisley’s most famous department store, to witness the demolition works and the start of a £4million project to restore Scotland largest town centre. The project which is being spearhe
18/06/2010
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has won the Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year title at the Scottish Home Awards for its new development at Western Harbour. The Goosander Place development, which was officially opened this week by Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil,
18/06/2010
A package of measures, backed by £1.8 million from the Scottish Government, will help revitalise Glasgow's Govanhill. A total of £1.5 million is earmarked to refurbish and redesign the backcourts of Govanhill tenement blocks, creating training and employment opportunities for local residents. A pro
18/06/2010
The latest update on the Edinburgh Tram Project is set to go before Councillors next week. The report, to be presented to the Full Council meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council on Thursday 24 June, will set out the current position on construction progress, the contractual dispute, tie’s strateg
18/06/2010
Gross mortgage lending totalled an estimated £11.3 billion in May, a 7% increase from £10.5 billion in April and up 10% from £10.2 billion in May 2009, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The market remains subdued and, while more buoyant than a year ago, turnover is a
18/06/2010
A package of support for the increased number of young people expected to leave school or college this summer was announced today by Skills Minister Keith Brown. It includes: * 800 vocational pathway opportunities for 16 and 17 year olds * a £1,000 incentive for up to 2,000 employers to o
18/06/2010
A sod cutting ceremony officially marked the start of work on the new 700 space park and ride car park at Croy rail station. We have joined forces with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to deliver this much needed car park facility at Croy rail station. The contract, worth £2.5 million w
18/06/2010
A North-east cancer charity has secured planning permission to build a purpose-designed cancer support centre in Aberdeen. CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North) has secured approval from Aberdeen City Council to build on the Park House site, on Westburn Road, Aberdeen, having agreed a long term lea
17/06/2010
The next phase of improvements at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful gets underway on 21 June with the start of a £470k drainage project funded by Transport Scotland. Contractor George Leslie Ltd, will upgrade the road drainage system over ten weeks, building a new culvert under the A83, strengthening th
17/06/2010
Quarry Brae Primary School and Parkhead Community Nursery, a £7 million Glasgow primary school and nursery has been officially opened this week. The new school campus, funded by Glasgow City Council, opened for lessons in October 2009. Designed in house by the council’s Development & Regeneration
17/06/2010
Given the worsening financial situation, and likely further reductions in Government funding, Highland Councillors are being advised that it is not now viable to build new care homes in Fort William, Grantown, Inverness, Muir of Ord and Tain - which would cost an additional £30 million. A report be
17/06/2010
A 50m synthetic pitch surface is to be installed at Brechin Leisure Centre in response to requests from the local community. The new all weather surface will cost £41,108 and will be funded from the common good. It will be managed by Angus Council, with bookings available through the leisure centr
17/06/2010
Grants totalling £353,346 have been awarded by Rural Tayside LEADER Local Action Group to 14 projects in the area. The grants will help a diverse range of groups and organisations to move forward their ideas for the benefit of the community. Included in the range of groups and organisations assis
17/06/2010
Pupils from Greenwood Academy are continuing to learn from the development of a business park in Irvine. Around 140 2nd year students from the school have been involved in a project run by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and developers Speyroc to design branding suitable for Annickbank Business Par
17/06/2010
Local businesses have given their backing to £112m Spittal Hill Wind Farm with a joint letter to Highland councillors. These include the Wick and Scrabster Harbour Trusts, Caithness Stone Industries, A&D Sutherland and building contractors, GMR Henderson Ltd. In their letter the business supporte
17/06/2010
A £4.3 million initiative to encourage the use of low carbon vehicles by Scotland's public services was unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond today. Mr Salmond also told the Holyrood 'Delivering on 2020' conference in Edinburgh that £3.4 million would be invested in a green bus scheme to help tow
16/06/2010
Scotland's new £82 million crime campus came a step closer today as the contract for the first phase of building work was awarded to Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd. Work on the first phase, which will begin later this month, is expected to be completed in February 2011 with the aim of the campus being ope
16/06/2010
A programme of improvements to enhance Monifieth town centre will begin next week. The work will include new pedestrian crossings, a combination of soft and hard landscaping, tree planting, and the installation of new street furniture. The footways are to be widened at various points along the Hig
16/06/2010
Mansell has been awarded a £1 million contract for the internal refurbishment of the Hugh Nisbet Building at Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh to create a new Student Services Centre. The works consist of the internal remodelling of the existing buil'ing to form new offices, toilets, cof
16/06/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has appointed Adrian Drummond as a residential surveyor, based in its expanding Glasgow office. Originally from Seaham Harbour in County Durham, 28 year old Mr Drummond is a graduate of Northumbria University, where he gained a BSc (Hons) in Estates Management on day re
16/06/2010
East Gauchalland Tenants and Residents Association were recognised as national leaders within the tenants’ movement at the Tenants Information Service’s Annual Conference Gala Dinner recently. The group from Galston was awarded the Frances Nelson MBE Award for outstanding achievements and contribut
16/06/2010
Perth’s remarkable architecture is continuing to be recognised as Historic Scotland carries on with work to identify the city’s important buildings and to review existing listings. The south and west of the city centre has already been examined and the team will now be looking at buildings in the n
16/06/2010
Zenith recently presented a technical paper at the semi-annual CICIND meeting held in Barcelona, Spain. The Midlothian based firm specialises in providing solutions to complex issues on flare stacks and industrial chimneys throughout the world. Darren Smith, Business Development Director, said: "
16/06/2010
Eight Scottish buildings, including several in Glasgow, have won prestigious awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects. The winners were announced at a ceremony at The Lighthouse in Glasgow recently, and include two buildings designed by Reiach and Hall Architects. The winning projects
15/06/2010
Sarah Webb, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours for services to the housing sector. At CIH she has been at the forefront of shaping the direction of the housing sector, in particular developing arms length management or
15/06/2010
A £2.4 million project to place 350 fresh academic minds in ambitious businesses across the region is being introduced by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Over the next three years small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises from across the region will be supported to employ uni
15/06/2010
Stewart Milne Construction has secured two contracts totalling £7 million from Moray Council and the University of Abertay, Dundee. The company will build a new campus HQ for Moray Council to replace a network of satellite offices in the Elgin area. An existing supermarket site adjacent to the Coun
15/06/2010
A multi-million pound contract from the Ministry of Defence has been awarded to Babcock Marine, at Rosyth, to build air craft carriers. Winning significant new orders also led to a realisation that, to successfully handle the increased workload, they would need to improve their working practices.
15/06/2010
The first affordable housing development at Western Harbour, Newhaven, has been officially opened marking a major milestone in the regeneration of Edinburgh’s waterfront. Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) yesterday welcomed 102 households to a block of new, high-quality and energy efficient
15/06/2010
Acting on behalf of Clackmannanshire Council, Graham & Sibbald, have sold the former Claremont Workshops site at Ludgate, Alloa. The buildings on the site were originally built around 1890 as a primary school and are contained on a site extending to 0.86 acres, within the Alloa Glebe Conservation A
15/06/2010
An archaeological dig is underway at the site of an old pond at Aberdeen's Duthie Park. The dig and restoration of the pond are part of exciting plans to breathe new life into Aberdeen's historic Duthie Park by Aberdeen City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), who are joint funders of a s
15/06/2010
Historic Scotland stonemasons travelled to the United States recently to help train young people in Harlem, New York. Kenny McCaffrey from Cupar and Malcolm Hutcheon from Insch worked with young people learning masonry and preservation skills through the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC). On
14/06/2010
Montrose promenade has been fully re-opened following scrutiny by Angus Council engineers of the results of a recent geophysical survey. Earlier this year, storms caused damage to the promenade, when the William Lamb statue The Minesweeper was toppled and parts of the esplanade collapsed. Following
14/06/2010
Wheel chair users, mums with buggies, people with physical disabilities and cyclists are just some of the people set to benefit from the upgrading of a 1.9km section of the Penicuik – Dalkeith. The route between Dalhousie Chesters, (just outside Bonnyrigg) and Rosewell has been upgraded to make th
14/06/2010
The value of construction projects starting on site in the three months to May 2010 fell back to below 2006 levels as fewer public sector project started on site following the General Election. The Glenigan Index for May was 10 per cent up on a year ago, but lower than the Index for March and Apri
14/06/2010
Pupils from Camphill School Aberdeen, which provides education and support for children and young people with special needs, have been carrying out refurbishment work at the Ross Watt Community Garden in the Culter area of Aberdeen, as part of their activity for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Four f
14/06/2010
Moray Council has awarded a £4million contract to design and build its new campus headquarters to Aberdeen-based Stewart Milne Construction following a competitive tender process. An existing supermarket site adjacent to the council’s current premises in the centre of Elgin will be redeveloped to a
14/06/2010
Community projects have secured more than £2.5m worth of grants since Falkirk Environment Trust (FET) was set up in 1998, councillors have heard. FET was originally formed to distribute monies raised from what was called landfill tax. It now allocates money from a variety of sources, including non-
14/06/2010
Residents living near Braidbar Quarries in Giffnock are being urged to ‘keep out’. East Renfrewshire Council is installing new fencing and signage and is taking the step to close a ‘right of way’. The quarries have had restricted access since over 27 years. But after specialist inspections of the
14/06/2010
Additional parking facilities, less traffic congestion and a village-type centre – all are set to transform the main thoroughfare in Lenzie. At the Development & Infrastructure Committee recently councillors heard detailed plans for the £340,000 improvement scheme which is set to go ahead, subject
11/06/2010
Scotland will today support the case for greater ambition in EU wide climate change targets. Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson will be in Luxembourg to strengthen the UK delegation as the Environment Council discusses the economics of moving beyond the current 20 per cent emissions reductio
11/06/2010
A Dunoon-based consulting civil and structural engineering practice is expanding with a new Oban office. Cowal Design has opened its new office and has employed additional staff to help with the expansion. The new Oban office will complement the work Cowal Design already has in the wider Oban ar
11/06/2010
Survey works on the A95 between Graich and Craggan have started this week. Transport Scotland has commissioned the surveys as part of preliminary design works for their proposed trunk road improvement scheme on the route. Environmental specialists will undertake the work, which involves site survey
11/06/2010
Fife Council has appointed Sheerframe fabricator and installer CMS Enviro Systems to a £7m window and door replacement and recycling contract after their successful European tender bid. The 3-year contract will see CMS Enviro Systems supply energy efficient ‘A’ rated 100% lead, barium and cadmium
11/06/2010
A project to upgrade the waste water treatment works at Castle Douglas has reached its first major milestone. The main parts of the old treatment system are now retired and the first phase of the new treatment system now operational. The £8million project aims to reduce odours from the site and w
11/06/2010
Work started this week on a brand new £13m Isobel Mair School in Newton Mearns. Building contractor CBC and representatives from East Renfrewshire Council met to break ground on the project that will provide for the education of pupils aged 5 -18 years who have a very wide range of difficulties. T
11/06/2010
The pedestrian stretch of Argyle Street is next in line to get the style mile treatment with a £600,000 plan to revamp the shopping area. The aim is to create greater synergy between Argyle Street and Buchanan Street’s busy shopping areas through the use of lighting, streetscape improvements, upgra
11/06/2010
Architectural glass has never been more alive with colours! Glass specialist company The Villa – Glass Gallery Ltd now offers a unique bespoke glass service, which allows their customers to design a one-off piece of glass. Any pattern can be transferred onto a glass surface. Being one of the few c
10/06/2010
Transport Scotland has now commenced the prequalification process for the contract to upgrade Junction 1a on the M9 – a key part of the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) project. The works, which are scheduled to start in July 2011 and be completed in December 2013 at an expected cost of between £46
10/06/2010
A second year apprentice, undertaking his training at City Building, has brushed off stiff competition to scoop a significant prize in an event open to students from colleges across Scotland. John Lockhart (19) from Pollok saw off 15 apprentice painters to win the top prize in the Johnston Leyland
10/06/2010
An extra 5,000 apprenticeship places have been created to help people of all ages enter and progress in the job market despite the current economic conditions. The new places have been created through a total investment of £9.1 million, including over £4 million of European Social Fund money, and h
10/06/2010
The Executive Committee of Scottish Borders Council has approved proposals and budget provision for addressing the winter damage to roads in the Scottish Borders. A total provision of £3.615 million has been allocated to carry out repairs to the roads network in 2010/11. This is comprised of an a
10/06/2010
Argyll and Bute residents who use a private water supply are being urged to make the most of a Scottish Government grant scheme to improve water quality. The Private Water Supply Grant Scheme is an initiative funded by the Scottish Government to improve the health of its citizens by ensuring all wa
10/06/2010
The Miller Group, the UK’s largest privately owned housebuilding, property development and construction services business, has appointed of Chris Webster as Chief Executive of Miller Construction (UK) Ltd. Chris will succeed Robin Mackie who retires after 22 years at The Miller Group. Former Chie
10/06/2010
A £10 million contract to strengthen the M8 White Cart Viaduct has been announced by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson. The 12 month contract, which will be undertaken by BAM Nuttall on behalf of Transport Scotland, includes strengthening, maintenance and refurbishment works on the current bridg
10/06/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond MSP joined Provost Tom Curley and Tom Clarke, MP to unveil a new life-sized bronze statue of a miner in the memorial gardens at Auchengeich Miners' Welfare. It replaces the statue stolen two months after it was erected in September last year. The original statue was un
09/06/2010
University of the West of Scotland's new £70 million Ayr Campus has entered the final phase of development, with a topping out ceremony taking place at the new campus site recently. The ceremony marked the structural completion of the new 18,000m2 campus by project contractor Bovis Lend Lease UK. T
09/06/2010
A group of Highlands and Islands-based forestry businesses are heading to Sweden on Thursday where they will have the opportunity to see and trial some of the latest timber harvesting machinery developed for their sector. In particular they will be testing out an innovative hybrid powered (diesel/e
09/06/2010
The operation to complete the second and final launch of the largest bridge on the M74 Completion project has now begun in Glasgow. Earlier this year the westbound carriageway of the Port Eglinton Viaduct was launched across the West Coast Main Line, local rail lines and a number of roads. Now, in
09/06/2010
The £900,000 redevelopment of Falkirk Old and St Modan's Churchyard project takes another significant step forward this week as contractors start on environmental works in and around the historic churchyard within Falkirk town centre. This investment project will put the 'Faw Kirk' churchyard back
09/06/2010
The final phase of road surfacing begins this week at Cross Arthurlie Street in Barrhead. The road and street is being redeveloped as part of an £800,000 renovation by East Renfrewshire Council with support from a Scottish Government Town Centre fund. The contractor’s work on the footpath will con
09/06/2010
East Lothian Council has approved a strategy to increase the supply of better quality temporary accommodation for homeless households. Around 1200 people present to the council as homeless each year, although this number is rising due to the ongoing economic climate. The largest group presenting t
09/06/2010
ScottishPower's Energy People Trust has helped over 1,300 homes in the community of Lochside, Ayr to become more energy efficient. The Energy Agency was awarded a grant of £80,000 from the Trust which funded a project with South Ayrshire Council to survey and insulate properties in the area. The
09/06/2010
The Local Government and Communities Committee has published its Stage One report on the Housing Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. Housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland supports Scottish Government proposals to reform Right to Buy and how housing is regulated - but is
08/06/2010
Donald Trump's £750m Aberdeenshire golf resort plans could take another step forward today. The conditions for the American Tycoon's plans for a championship course, hotel and hundreds of holiday homes are to be considered by councillors at a meeting later. Officials are recommending the plans for
08/06/2010
A three-week deadline has been placed on German firm Bilfinger Berger to find a solution to the Edinburgh tram system dispute. Edinburgh City Council's transport convener has told the firm their contract will be terminated if a solution is not found, however terminating the contract could lead to a
08/06/2010
Eco-friendly tourist accommodation at Ballantrae, Ayrshire, a poultry farm near Peebles and a waste business near Greenock are among the latest projects approved through Rural Priorities. Overall, the £60 million will create 530 jobs, with a further 430 sustained. Considerable environment benefits
08/06/2010
A Glasgow-based security firm has been fined £7,000 following the carbon monoxide poisoning of a man employed as a security guard on a construction site in the city. Thomas Fraser, 37, died of carbon monoxide poisoning at an on-site flat used as a base for employees. He had been working as a secu
08/06/2010
Minister for Housing and Communities today announced the appointment of a new President to the Private Rented Housing Panel. This appointment will be for five years and will run from May 26, 2010 to May 25, 2015. The new President is: Aileen Margaret Devanny - Graduated as a Bachelor of Laws from
08/06/2010
Branchton Community Centre is hitting the high notes thanks to Glasgow builders Rok following the opening of a recording studio. Rok, which was involved in a new build housing project nearby for Oaktree Housing Association, built the music studio free of charge so residents could fine tune their ta
08/06/2010
Ballast Nedam has signed a contract with Walney (UK) Offshore Windfarms Ltd (a joint venture between DONG Energy of Denmark and Scottish and Southern Energy in the UK) to install 51 foundations for offshore wind turbines as part of the Walney II project. The project is located in the Irish Sea, 20
08/06/2010
Construction union UCATT are "bitterly disappointed" at the news that the level of grants available for construction apprenticeships is to be cut by almost 10 per cent. From August 2010 the level of grant payable over 3 years to a company training a construction apprentice will be reduced from £9,8
07/06/2010
Building company Rok has started work on Diageo’s state-of-the-art bottling plant at Leven, Fife, having won the multi-million pound contract to manage the 64 week construction programme. The project which includes the new 16,500 square meter bottling hall, associated buildings and infrastructure f
07/06/2010
Knight Frank’s building consultancy team has won a three year contract to manage planned maintenance to Scottish Natural Heritage’s property portfolio across Scotland. The firm will provide maintenance work across all estates in Scotland which include around 200 properties varying in size and comp
07/06/2010
Mansell has been awarded a £1.9 million contract to refurbish and extend the Lochgelly Centre on behalf of Fife Council. Construction of the centre will involve partial demolition of an existing single storey building. A new single storey extension will house a modern library and reception area. Th
07/06/2010
A state of the art £70m waste to energy facility which will have capacity to process all West Lothian’s commercial, industrial and municipal waste has taken a major step forward. West Lothian Council has resolved to grant planning permission for Scotland’s largest anaerobic waste digestion (AD) fac
07/06/2010
A multi-million pound project to transform the historic gateway to Ayr town centre is due to get underway later this year thanks to funding from South Ayrshire Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The HLF monies (£1.08 million) will supplement the Council’s investment in the Ayr Townscape H
07/06/2010
ScottishPower is amongst a small group of businesses awarded Business in the Community’s (BITC’s) coveted National Big Tick for two of its projects and reaccreditation for a third project. The esteemed Awards for Excellence reward businesses who demonstrate the positive impact they have had on soci
07/06/2010
One of National Grid’s most senior executives has spent the day with Argyll and Bute Council, discussing the area’s renewable energy potential and how best to harness it. Alison Kay, the organisation’s Commercial Director, met with Council Leader Dick Walsh, Chief Executive Sally Loudon and other k
07/06/2010
Aberdeen householders are warned to be on their guard against rogue traders offering to build driveways for them. The council's trading standards and roads sections have become aware of a number of city residents who have hired individuals or firms to construct driveways and who have been left out
04/06/2010
Major figures in the UK timber industry have committed thousands of pounds to help students at Edinburgh Napier University through their degrees. Stewart Milne Timber Systems, Finnforest UK and Forestry Commission Scotland have all agreed to support an undergraduate student enrolling on the Univers
04/06/2010
A draft plan to transform Stirling’s Kings Park to meet the needs of the whole community now and in the future is out for consultation. The Kings Park in Stirling is a park steeped in the history of Stirling and Scotland and also a much loved, contemporary green space in the heart of the city provi
04/06/2010
Finishing touches to the £2m improvement programme to Lochee High Street are due to be completed next week. The facelift, which was started in October last year, has seen upgrading work to pavements and roads as well as the provision of trees, street furniture, litter bins, benches, cycle racks and
04/06/2010
Caithness and North Sutherland businesses and communities are set to benefit from a newly established renewables fund that will go to helping them deliver 'green' sustainable projects. The fund will be run by a subsidiary company established by Caithness Chamber of Commerce, with the intention that
04/06/2010
Residents of Central Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site are ‘getting into hot water’ with the help of the ScottishPower Energy People Trust and Lister Housing Co-operative. The ScottishPower Energy People Trust donated £90,000 to the housing co-operative towards the cost of installing solar water heat
04/06/2010
A state-of-the-art new community facility is opening in Coatbridge thanks to a unique partnership between the council, NHS Lanarkshire and our design and build partners Dawn Construction. The £18 million Buchanan Centre will house council and health services in one purpose-built, four-storey buildi
04/06/2010
Three intrepid lawyers from international law firm, HBJ Gateley Wareing, are set to put their best feet forward with a 165-foot abseil off the Forth Rail Bridge. Kay Price, Caroline Brodie and Claudia Barron, in the firm’s construction team, will be stepping off the Bridge on Sunday 6th June to rai
04/06/2010
The leader of Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed the Scottish Government’s latest update on its School Building Programme. Councillor Dick Walsh said the update, which re-stated the Government’s funding commitment to the initiative and confirmed that the proposed Dunoon Primary Campus is included
03/06/2010
A £2 million package of M8 improvement works is set to kick off this month. The M8 works will tie in with the M74 Completion project, currently being constructed in the southside of Glasgow, and be managed by Transport Scotland’s operating company, Amey. The works, which were recently awarded by T
03/06/2010
House prices continued to rise by 0.5% in May, according to the latest survey by Nationwide. The average house price is £169,162, which is £15,000 higher than this time last year. Commenting on the figures Martin Gahbauer, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said: "Housing market conditions remain chara
03/06/2010
Inverclyde Council’s Regeneration Convener has welcomed the final piece in the funding jigsaw for the new Greenock Arts Guild. The Big Lottery Fund has announced a £378,000 grant for the theatre at East India Harbour. Regeneration Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: "The new Arts Guild is one
03/06/2010
The Highland Council has welcomed confirmation that Wick High School is to attract significant funding from the Scottish Government which will help provide a new school, incorporating community facilities, such as a new swimming pool. The grant from the Scottish Government will be £18.4 million and
03/06/2010
Children at Barshare Primary, east Ayrshire, have landed a share of a bumper round of lottery awards, to the tune of £6690. The school has been successful in its bid for an Awards for All grant – and the plan is to use this to help create a new sensory garden at the school. Acting Head Teacher Ang
03/06/2010
Work on the extension to the Dumyat Centre is complete. The £200,000 extension will provide a real improvement to the facilities in Menstrie. The work was carried out by local company Marshall Construction and has been finished on time. The extension has been designed in consultation with the faci
03/06/2010
Invest in Fife, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Renewables welcomed organisations to the Renewable Energy Supply Chain Event held yesterday at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline. It was aimed at companies keen to find out more about the renewable energy sector, and how to enter the sup
03/06/2010
Commenting on Wednesday's announcement that plans for a £300m investment from the Scottish Government to deliver 35 new schools are going ahead, Scottish Building Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack welcomed the news. But he also warned it had been a long time coming and funding still needed
02/06/2010
Plans for £300 million investment from the Scottish Government to deliver 35 new schools is going ahead. The first tranche of the £1.25 billion Scotland's Schools for the Future programme will see every local authority benefit. Funding will be made available for 14 secondary schools, 20 primary sc
02/06/2010
Falkirk's historic Arnotdale House in Dollar Park is set for upgrade a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee heard on Tuesday. As part of Falkirk Council's ongoing improvement programme for business locations (Economic Development Support Fund), the committee agreed a two phase approach to
02/06/2010
Planning Aid for Scotland (PAS) has launched a new mentoring scheme to help community groups take advantage of their local resources in areas such as renewable energy, community centres and allotments. The launch of the scheme demonstrates the growth and development of Planning Aid for Scotland and
02/06/2010
Edinburgh's historic Nelson Monument on Calton Hill is in the running for a prestigious award. The recent Heritage Lottery Fund-supported project to restore the Nelson Monument and its Time Ball is the only Edinburgh contender to have reached the semi-finals of the National Lottery Award. The news
02/06/2010
Prince Charles has been getting involved in matters of architectural design again. The Duke of Rothesay talked about the importance of community planning on Tuesday, calling on housing developers to consider whether they would live in their own sites. The Duke - as The Prince of Wales is known in
02/06/2010
Scottish Ballet's new national headquarters, designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, has received two prizes at the prestigious Scottish Design Awards. The building scooped the award for Best Public Building and the Architecture Grand Prix. Speaking at the Scottish Design Awards ceremony on Friday
02/06/2010
A pair of aspiring engineers from Tillicoultry Primary School have won through to the national final of the Junior Engineers for Britain K'Nex Challenge 2010. P6 pupils Matthew Nicholls and Ciaran Carberry reached the final after winning the East of Scotland K'Nex Challenge which took place at Falk
02/06/2010
Dundee City council Education Convener Liz Fordyce today welcomed confirmation that the complete redevelopment and refurbishment of Harris Academy will go ahead as planned following investment from the Scottish Government through the Scottish Futures Trust. Councillor Fordyce said: "This is excitin
01/06/2010
Following a strong start to 2010, with a host of new contract wins and the achievement of ISO 14001 accreditation, Stewart Milne Construction has appointed Craig McKillop as its new Regional Director for Northern operations. Craig joins the company from Elphinstone Holdings Ltd where, as projects
01/06/2010
Falkirk Council's Housing Improvement Programme is set to meet all its targets, it was reported to the Housing and Social Care Committee. The programme, covering a range of issues, was drawn up following the 2008 inspection of the housing service by the national Scottish Housing Regulator (formerly
01/06/2010
Highland Quality Construction (HQC) has gone into administration. The civil engineering and construction company's directors resigned last Thursday and an administrator was appointed on Friday. The firm is believed to have had cash flow problems; it had been awaiting payment for work on a major ro
01/06/2010
Two-thirds of visitors to an exhibition of plans for new local centre in Gainsborough's Corringham Road have given the scheme the thumbs-up. The display, on proposals by Morbaine Ltd for a centre comprising a 12,000 sq ft convenience store, a number of smaller retail units, a nursery and a restaura
01/06/2010
A new £3.5million sports stadium is to be named in honour of community stalwart John Cumming, widely known as Carluke Rovers' greatest ever player. John, who sadly passed away in December 2008, began and ended his life in Carluke and is remembered with great affection by all. He began his football
01/06/2010
Argyll and Bute Council has applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £1.5m to revitalise Rothesay’s town centre. The submission of the Stage Two bid follows survey work earlier in the year by architects, structural engineers and surveyors on behalf of the proposed Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initia
01/06/2010
The Spires, operators of serviced suites in Aberdeen, Birmingham and Glasgow, is developing its business with the acquisition of new purpose-built premises in Glasgow at a more central location. The Spires Glasgow will relocate to Glassford Street on June 21, 2010. Just five minutes walk from Queen
01/06/2010
A Scottish businessman is in the running for a £50,000 national UK award for an idea which could save people a fortune in energy costs and help preserve the environment is appealing for public support. Brian Stephenson, Managing Director of bioHOT Woodfuel, is among contenders for an X-factor style
