Key construction material prices have fallen back from post-pandemic highs, data has revealed. Copper cost 8 per cent less in the second quarter of this year than the first, according to the UK Commodity Report from consultancy Linesight. Steel rebar was 2 per cent cheaper, while cement and lumber prices…
The first episode of First Site, Construction News’ new podcast, has been released today (23 August). CN has partnered with tool and equipment-hire specialist Speedy Hire to create a series of podcasts exploring the hottest topics in construction with experts every month. The first episode, Decarbonising steel and concrete, dives…
A contractor working on the ruins of the Crooked House has told Construction News that the firm is salvaging materials from the 18th century pub for future use. A spokesman for Putnam Construction Services said that the company had been commissioned by the site owners to sort through the rubble…
Kent County Council is looking to acquire £500m-worth of construction equipment. The local authority published an official notice on 18 August, heralding a six-lot framework covering the purchase and hire of machinery, plant and tools. The first section of the agreement focuses on the buying of grounds-maintenance equipment including tractors,…
A trade body representing builders and contractors has called for the Mayor of London to look again at the detail of plans to expand the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) to include the outer boroughs. Despite the mayor recently announcing more generous scrappage payments for those affected, the National Federation…
Turnover grew but profit fell last year at Morrisroe Demolition Ltd, the firm formerly known as Cantillon, according to annual results released today. While company director Brian Morrisroe stated that the firm was pursuing a “significant pipeline” of work, he said he was wary of potential future headwinds. The demolition…
Site managers and workers face a September and October of visits from safety inspectors cracking down on the proper moving and handling of materials. Construction News understands that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is planning to officially announce an intensification of safety checks at the end of August. Inspectors…
A swathe of major contractors are still failing to pay invoices on time, according to their own payment data. Build UK has compiled fresh payment-performance data on a range of tier one and specialist contractors, as well as clients, that have filed the information under the government's Duty to Report…
Robert Adjetey is a construction and engineering disputes partner at Osborne Clarke The construction sector and developers have gained more certainty on post-Grenfell safety work issues from a recent ruling. The judgment by the Court of Appeal in URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd has widened the avenues for…
Two contractors fined a combined £22m for taking part in the demolition sector’s cover-bidding scandal have lodged appeals, claiming the competition watchdog made errors over defining the relevant market. In March, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined Keltbray, Squibb Group and eight other firms it found had colluded on…
Construction News Read UK Construction Industry News, Analysis, Opinion and data