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This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? A deal with the UK government and Bedford Borough Council to deliver a multi-billion-pound theme park and resort is expected to create 20,000 construction jobs ahead of a 2031 opening. The agreement with Universal Destinations & Experiences, announced…

Network Rail chief executive Sir Andrew Haines has said he expects the second year of the body’s £45bn five-year funding cycle will go “more smoothly”. It comes after industry figures expressed dissatisfaction at the speed in which rail work was flowing through to suppliers. Earlier this year, a number of…

Erith has paid its £17.6m bid-rigging fine two and a half years earlier than agreed, it has announced in its latest accounts. The London-based contractor, which is the holding company for Erith Construction, posted turnover of £255m for the 12 months to 30 September 2024. This was up 12 per…

A newly established panel reviewing the building control system should release its recommendations by the end of this year, its chair has said. Dame Judith Hackitt was named last week as chair of the panel, established as part of the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s findings. It will…

A London-based residential developer has secured its survival after a pre-pack administration deal by its owner.  Sheen Lane Developments called in administrators from Quantuma on 1 April after issues first emerged last year. The firm appointed receivers last May for three special purpose vehicles (SPVs) which each held a contract…

Tier one contractor Wates posted record annual turnover last year although its statutory pre-tax profit nosedived, its latest accounts show. The firm – ranked 7th in last year’s CN100 index of top UK contractors – saw its revenue (excluding joint ventures) rise by 9.2 per cent from £2.1bn to £2.3bn…

Lendlease Construction (Europe) plunged to a £16.4m pre-tax loss last year after making more than £30m in provisions against legal claims. The contractor – last week renamed Bovis Construction (Europe) following its sale to US private equity giant Atlas Holdings – published results showing it dropped into the red in…

Hinkley Point C tunnelling crews cancelled a planned strike this week after they were promised more than £2m in repayment of taxes deducted from their wages. Members of the GMB and Unite trade unions working at TG Tunnelling accepted a pay offer from the company, meaning plans for a walkout…

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? Chichester District Council has launched early market engagement with contractors on a major coastal protection scheme for Selsey, with construction costs expected to exceed £90m. The local authority is developing a long-term solution to protect the West Sussex…

By Gino Spocchia Network Rail has submitted long-awaited proposals to overhaul London’s Liverpool Street station to planners. The plans for upgrading and redeveloping the central London station were submitted to the City of London this yesterday (7 April), reported Construction News’ sister magazine Architects Journal. The scheme, which features huge…