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The spend and scale of change in all aspects of life has accelerated throughout the '80s, to such an extent that predicting and absorbing such changes, whether social, economic or political, has become very difficult for individuals and virtually impossible for Government or business. If even weeks ago anybody had…

The 1990s will be a decade of challenge and opportunity for the construction industry at large.In particular, the 'engine of necessity' has demanded that the basic infrastructure of the UK be refurbished and enlarged. We are already beginning to see the needs of the water industry come to the fore…

Without question the construction industry has seen vast changes over the past decade.But these changes have not really benefitted the workers in the industry. All too often we have seen their legitimate concerns ignored, for the simple reason that employers seem to be solely concerned with profits. The Transport and…

Looking back on 1989 for the CITB means also looking back on the completion of 25 years of training for the industry since the board was set up - only three months after the 1964 Industrial Training Act came into force. Today the board provides training support for direct training…

Construction is often, regrettably, feast or famine and the '80s were no exception. The decade began with a declining market and strategies were focused on cost reduction and negotiated contracts, with quality of work taking precedence over volume of turnover. The industry is leaner and fitter as a result, but…

As one approaches the start of the '90s, it is surprising how difficult it is to remember much of what happened during the '80s. Things that spring to mind are the dramatic turnaround in the volume of work available to the industry and the dramatic swing from public to private…

The effect the Street Works Act could have depends very much on the actual phrasing of the bill, but there is a good chance that the pressures on public utilities and their contractors will be twofold. Firstly, responsibility for trench re-instatement is likely to be much better defined and there…

There's more to Bomag than rollers, even if ride-on tandems do still form the bulk of the company's sales in Britain.But after acknowledging the importance of the vibratory roller, Bomag GB's general manager, Alex Ferris, believes that there is a lot of scope in other products. 'Small tandems are still…

The external skin of the roof will be supported by cables carrying the tension forces down to massive ground anchors. Inside this will be a layer of insulation, and then an internal skin joined the perimeter beams of the steel frame by an elasticated skirt. The frame itself, together with…

Margo Cole reports on a development at Milton Keynes which could turn Grand Prix driving into a leisure activity.Have you ever harboured a secret urge to be a racing driver? Has someone ever compared your motorway driving to that of James Hunt in his Grand Prix heyday? If so, this…