To keep you updated on the latest notable achievements and advancements in various sectors, we have curated a compilation of significant news from October.
This includes HS2's biggest future talent cohort joining the project, a £2.7bn investment for transport in the West Midlands confirmed and the world’s largest offshore wind farm project starting to power the UK grid.
Civil Engineering | RSK Group acquires UK civil engineering contractor RJT Excavations
RSK, a major player in the field of engineering and infrastructure projects, has made a significant acquisition by adding RJT Excavations, a prominent civil engineering and bulk earthworks contractor, to its portfolio.
RJT, headquartered in Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, boasts over 30 years of experience in the sector. In 2009, it received independent recognition by New Civil Engineer as one of the top 75 civil engineering contractors in the UK.
Garry Young, the Managing Director of RJT, will continue to lead the business. He expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "RSK Group offers valuable synergies across its portfolio of companies.
This presents opportunities for collaboration with fellow companies within the group that possess expertise in construction areas not currently available in-house. I believe that RSK Group's shared values and ethics bode well for the future, making this acquisition a highly favourable development for all RJT employees."
Read more here.
Highways | £2.7bn investment to transport in the West Midlands confirmed
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is celebrating a substantial £2.7 billion injection into the region's transportation infrastructure, supporting a wide array of enhancements, notably the implementation of the Midlands Rail Hub project.
This significant investment, scheduled for the next decade, has been officially endorsed by the Department for Transport following the recent cancellation of HS2's phase 2.
As part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), TfWM will promptly receive a £100 million infusion for ongoing metro extensions. This funding will enable the completion of the second phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension and facilitate significant development efforts at Arden Cross, adjacent to the HS2 Interchange Station.
The region has been awarded:
£250m over the next five years to ensure transport network stability
£700m for rail, bus, tram, road and active travel infrastructure to be added to the West Midlands’ allocation for the next round of the City Region Sustainable Transport
Settlement from 2027-2032 £100m to share across the north and Midlands to roll out contactless tap and go smart ticketing – expanding a project being led by TfWM
Read more here.
Energy | World’s largest offshore wind farm project starts powering UK grid
The initial turbine in the endeavour to construct the world's largest offshore wind farm, located in the North Sea, has commenced supplying electricity to households and enterprises in the United Kingdom.
Developers officially confirmed that the Dogger Bank, situated 70 nautical miles off the Yorkshire coast, initiated power generation over the weekend as the very first of 277 turbines was successfully linked to the national electricity grid.
This monumental project, a collaborative effort between Britain's SSE,Norway's Equinor, and Vårgrønn, is projected to generate a total of 3.6 gigawatts of electricity, a quantity sufficient to meet the energy needs of 6 million homes upon its full completion in 2026.
Read more here.
Civil Engineering | Leeds £50M office scheme gets green light
A joint venture partnership between Asset Capital and Prescient Capital last year purchased Wellington Plaza, a 1980s former HQ building on Wellington Street.
This partnership has now confirmed its intention to embark on a development project for the 77,000-square-foot office space, commencing construction by early 2024.
This revitalisation of one of the last independent gateway sites in the heart of Leeds's West End business district represents the sole project of its scale in the city centre scheduled to begin construction in 2024.
The approved plans, crafted by DLA Architecture in Leeds, entail the retention of the existing four-floor office building frame, with an additional four floors added above. The mechanical and electrical design is overseen by Bradford consultant Thorley Lumb.
Read more here.
Rail | Work starts on the rail interchange project which is expected to deliver 8,500 jobs
The West Midlands Interchange project has commenced, with the promise of creating 8,500 jobs. The project developers claim it will transform the logistics industry and provide a substantial economic boost to the West Midlands region.
This new strategic rail freight interchange, located near Gailey, Staffordshire, will also yield up to eight million square feet of commercial space upon its completion. The project is a joint venture between Oxford Properties and Logistics Capital Partners, with Winvic Construction taking on the role of the main works contractor for the initial phase.
Philip White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, expressed, "The West Midlands Interchange is a monumental development that will generate diverse opportunities for years to come."
With a substantial £1 billion in direct investment, the project's primary focus is on delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits. It is anticipated to generate £430 million in local economic activity annually and contribute £900 million to the national economy.
Read more here.
HSQ Recruitment is driven by a deep passion for the industries we cater to, where we have the privilege of witnessing revolutionary projects, state-of-the-art technologies, and transformative advancements that shape the industry's future, month after month. In October, we invite you to join us as we delve into the latest and most pioneering innovations, projects, and transformations currently taking place. Together, let's explore the forefront of industry progress.