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Contract News
Details have been set out of a major investment package to protect the future of Manchester Aquatics Centre while improving its facilities and reducing its carbon footprint.
The Aquatics Centre was built in 1999 and opened in 2000, playing a key role in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
After two decades of intensive use, a number of mechanical and electrical failures are starting to occur as parts of the building’s fabric begin to reach the end of their natural lifespans. Without significant investment, this would result in an increasing number of unplanned closures, cause the withdrawal of some services and make permanent closure of the flagship facility a serious threat.
Detailed survey and investigation works over the past year has established that it will cost almost £31m to address these issues, refurbish the building and incorporate green technologies. The pool treatment plan and pool lighting both need replacing, as do the moveable floors. Heating and electrical systems must be upgraded, lifts require refurbishing and the spa facility also needs to be replaced.
It is also envisaged that underused parts of the building will be repurposed to improve health and fitness facilities and further increase opportunities to generate income.
Under the plans, carbon reduction technologies will be used wherever possible to replace worn-out elements of the building. These include ground source and air source heat pumps, LED lights and the use of solar PVs on the roof and will together deliver an estimated carbon saving of at least 750,000kg a year.
If agreed by the Council, the work will take place on a phased basis over two and a half years to minimise disruption and ensure that access to at least one pool is maintained throughout. Manchester City Council, manchester.gov.uk
STOKE NEWINGTON GETS £3.5M POWER BOOST
More than 50,000 homes and businesses are benefitting from an electricity infrastructure upgrade by UK Power Networks.
The firm has finished installing new electricity equipment that will help to ensure reliable power supplies for homes and businesses in the Stoke Newington area for years to come.
This work involved extending an electricity supply point at Edwards Lane to allow space for new cabling to be connected to the network.
It is part of UK Power Networks’ strategy for North London, which will mean it can decommission older electricity cabling in the Hackney area and move into a new era with state-of-the-art equipment for the future. UK Power Networks, ukpowernetworks.co.uk
MARSTON’S ACHIEVES ENVIRONMENTAL MILESTONE
Marston’s has reached its latest environmental milestone by completing the installation of rapid EV chargers across 100 pubs in collaboration with Osprey Charging. The roll-out is the largest of its kind in the UK and will pave the way for mass EV adoption ahead of the UK’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
The 50kW rapid charging stations across 100 Marston’s pubs enable drivers to fully charge in as little as half an hour and are easy to use with contactless payment. Each charge point is powered using 100% renewable electricity and is compatible with every EV on the market today.
Since the roll-out began, over 180 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been saved and over 20,000 user sessions have taken place. The full roll out is due to be completed by 2022.
Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey, said: “With the ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars less than 10 years away, it’s crucial to support EV drivers with the infrastructure that they want – rapid, convenient and accessible to all. Our partnership with Marston’s will continue to meet the needs of EV drivers and allow them to enjoy great food and drink facilities while they top up.” Osprey Charging, ospreycharging.co.uk
© William Avery and Studio Woodroffe Papa & Poggi Architecture (PRNewsfoto/Legendre)
LEGENDRE’S NEW HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL PROJECT
Property developer and contractor, Legendre, is building and investing in a new mixed-use scheme on Dockley Road in Bermondsey, London.
Totalling circa 13,935m2 , the new building is located one kilometre south of Tower Bridge and will comprise of 111 apartments, with a ground floor dedicated to retail and commercial use. The project is scheduled to complete in summer 2022.
Signed up in August 2019, the construction work had been postponed due to the COVID-19 economic context.
Conveniently located at a five-minute walk from Bermondsey Station, the nine-storey building will include private and affordable units. Out of 111 brand new homes, 42 have already been forward sold to a Housing Association. At street level, 1,100m2 will be available, including three retail units. This commercial space is leased to Spa Terminus who will sublet to businesses in the food manufacturing and wholesale sector.
The RC frame and the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) package will be self-delivered by the Legendre team.
The building also features a secure by design standard and it is fully sprinklered.
Legendre, who started the construction works in August 2020, has already constructed the foundations of the building and has recently erected the crane installation to assist the future construction. Overall, the project is estimated to last 23 months. Legendre, groupe-legendre.com
KANE DELIVERS £24M M&E CONTRACT
Kane has successfully delivered a £24 million M&E contract at high-rise residential scheme, Southbank Place, in London.
The 30-month contract at Southbank Place consisted of 301 dwellings comprising 46 affordable housing apartments, 52 assisted living apartments and 203 luxury apartments.
At the forefront of off-site construction, Kane prefabricated 398 utility pods of 47 different varieties at its head office facility in Northern Ireland and delivered to site just in time for installation.
Kane also prefabricated the Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW), Chilled Water (CHW), Boosted Cold Water (BCW) and Boosted Grey Water (BGW) Mechanical Risers, along with Electrical Containment Risers, to decrease the onsite resource, allowing for a more efficient installation period. The prefabrication method has a powder coated paint, showcasing a factory finished installation. Kane offered speed of onsite services installation while reducing the project co-ordination across multiple trade and services.
The project works also consisted of residential and commercial sprinklers, wet and dry risers, refuge shoot, smoke ventilation system, grey water reclamation system, lift sump pumps, Air Handling Units (AHU), Fan Coil Units (FCU’s), lighting control and a building management system controlled user interface via a touch screen per apartment. Kane, kanegroup.co.uk
ELLIS MAKES THE SOTRA CONNECTION
Innovative two-in-one cable guide clamps, designed and developed in Yorkshire by Ellis Patents, are being used to guide and secure 4.5km of power cables being installed as part of an enormous infrastructure project in Vestland, Norway.
The Sotra Connection is a new national road being built by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration between Bergen and Øygarden municipality. The N555 project includes the construction of a new road bridge, the demolition of nine high voltage power masts and the re-routing of the related power cables through a series of tunnels and underneath the current Sotra Bridge – an element of the project known as the Stømkabel Sotrasambandet.
Ellis Patents Cable Guide Clamps are being used to guide the power cables into place, before securing them and providing protection in the case of a short-circuit.
Kelly Brown, Ellis Patents head of sales, says: “This is perhaps the biggest infrastructure project in a generation in Norway; and when complete will provide a modern and fast connection from the Sotra Islands to the country’s second biggest city and beyond.” Ellis Patents, ellispatents.co.uk
RESTORATION WORKS COMPLETE ON HISTORIC WESTMINSTER HALL
After vital restoration works, the iconic Grade 1 listed Westminster Hall – the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster – has been returned to its full glory so it can be appreciated for decades to come.
Works to clean the hall’s 14th Century hammer-beam roof internally; carry out essential repairs to the roof timber trusses; repair and restore the lead-covered roof lantern; install fire safety equipment, including an automated fire detection and voice alarm system; and install all cabling infrastructure for a future lighting scheme have now been completed.
Built environment consultancy Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – provided project management services for the scheme, which was accelerated by SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings.
The hall – which is deemed to be the gateway to the Palace of Westminster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – was originally built in 1097 by King William II and later remodelled to include the magnificent hammer-beam roof by Richard II in 1393. It is the only part of the palace that survives in almost its original form, despite being ravaged by a fire in October 1834 and damaged by an incendiary bomb during the Second World War. Perfect Circle, perfectcircle.co.uk
