Building Briefs - August 4th

• Viaduct protection work begins at Orbiston

Specialist engineers are removing material from the bed and banks of the river and around the viaduct’s foundations, as well as carrying out masonry repairs and ballast installation.

It’s all designed to extend the lifespan of the structure while protecting it against weather damage as part of a wider programme of maintenance to keep the rail network safe and reliable.

The ‘scour protection’ scheme on the stone structure, between Uddingston and Motherwell stations, is due to be completed later this year.

Scour damage occurs when floodwaters undermine the foundations of bridges. Scour protection works help protect these shallow foundations by diverting water away from the base of the bridge.

Network Rail invests around £20m each year on scour protection projects across Scotland’s Railway.

• Living by Robertson nominated for five Scottish Home Awards

Living by Robertson has been shortlisted in five categories in the prestigious Scottish Home Awards 2021 which recognise excellence in the Scottish housing sector.

More than 70 organisations from across Scotland were judged by a highly respected panel and winners are due to be announced at a live event on Thursday 16 September 2021.

Living by Robertson has been shortlisted for Housebuilder of the Year (Less than 100 units), Apartment Development of the Year - Royal View, Leith, House of the Year -  The Paris at The Jewel, Edinburgh, Large Housing Development of the Year - Cherry Tree Park, Livingston, and Small Housing Development of the Year - The Jewel, Edinburgh.

Martin Findlay, the managing director of Living by Robertson, said: “The fact that our ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding homes with high-quality specification at a more affordable price has been recognised in this way is especially significant following such a difficult year.

“Our focus has been on continued rapid growth, and despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have managed to gain momentum. Being named as finalists in five categories at the Scottish Home Awards  is testament to the hard work and dedication from our entire team.”

• Bell Group buys CB Contracts (NI) Ltd

Bell Group has announced its acquisition of CB Contracts (NI) Ltd.

CB Contracts (NI) Ltd began in 1984 as a small painting and decorating company, over the years it has developed its services to become specialists in painting, hygienic finishes and flooring, mainly in the new build market. CBC also adds a national flooring capability to the group, providing a great steppingstone for Bell to offer an additional service delivered in house to its existing client base.

From its base in Northern Ireland, CBC carries out work throughout the British Isles and bring with it a wealth of knowledge and systems designed specifically to remotely manage projects for large main contractors. Founders, Colin and Ellen Bunting, will continue in their capacity of managing director and operations director respectively.

Bell Group has 31 locations across the UK and employs over 1,600 people.

• Brickability Group acquires Leadcraft Limited

Construction materials distributor Brickability Group has acquired Leadcraft Limited for a total consideration of £5.5 million.

Leadcraft is Brickability’s 12th strategically significant acquisition in the last three years and, following the recent transaction with Taylor Maxwell, further underlines the acquisition strategy set out at listing.

Leadcraft, founded in 1997, is a Hampshire-based roofing contractor that provides a full range of roofing services including tiling, slate, zinc, copper, felt and lead works.

In the 12 months ended 30 June 2021, Leadcraft reported unaudited revenue of £5.6m and normalised EBITDA of approximately £1.0m.

The consideration is being satisfied by an initial payment of £3.3m and deferred consideration of £2.2m payable in cash over the next three years, of which £0.9m is subject to performance criteria. The acquisition will be funded from the Group’s existing resources and is expected to be immediately earnings accretive post completion.

• Stirling travel trnasformation consultation opens

A public consultation on proposals to transform travel by foot and bike in neighbourhoods south of Stirling city centre is now live.

Residents are being asked for their views on the City Centre South project, which is looking at ways to make it easier and more attractive for people of all abilities to move sustainably around, benefitting all local communities.

The area initially sought to be covered by the scheme takes in all of Kings Park, part of Braehead and Torbrex, and a small area of Mercat Cross leading from Craigs roundabout to the bus station.

A survey posted on Engage Stirling will allow residents to give their views on which of the project outcomes matter most to them.

The initial phases of the consultation will run until the end of September and will also offer residents the chance to pinpoint locations where they believe there are currently issues for people of all abilities to access the area without a car.

The public’s feedback will be used to create options for improvements, developed in conjunction with local communities, with a final City Centre South masterplan to be developed next year.

• Barratt Developments West supports CHAS’ home from home

Barratt Developments West Scotland has donated £1,000 to CHAS and its Robin House Children’s hospice as part of its latest Community Fund giveaway.

Each year, the housebuilder works with a wide range of local causes and has continued to step up its efforts through the Barratt and David Wilson Community Fund, which donates £1,000 to a deserving local cause in each of its three Scottish divisions every month.

For over 20 years CHAS has been offering a full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. During the Coronavirus crisis, CHAS has continued to deliver care, through their hospices, home services, in hospitals and virtually.

CHAS’ Robin House, in Balloch, is a ‘home from home’ for families, with a range of facilities including a hydro pool, art room, den and large accessible garden and areas for relaxing and fun. It also has quiet areas for reflection, bereavement support and care.

The hospices have remained open throughout the Coronavirus crisis to offer care, with CHAS currently providing hospice care for symptom management; deterioration in clinical condition; care package breakdown; housing crisis or whenever a family’s resilience is challenged by these unprecedented circumstances. The donation from the housebuilder will help to support children and families who are cared for at Robin House during these unprecedented times.

• Network Rail thanks Strathbungo community after footbridge design vote

Local residents in the Southside of Glasgow have voted overwhelmingly for a new railway footbridge connecting Darnley Road and Moray Place in Strathbungo.

Network Rail asked members of the community to help select a new footbridge design to replace the current crossing because the existing bridge will not be suitable when the line is electrified.

Three artist impressions of different options were shared with approximately 5,000 residents and business owners to gain an overall design preference for the new bridge from local people.

In the vote, 85% of respondents opted for bridge A - a bespoke curved design that was inspired by the current bridge, with a high metal rail on top and a toughened glass parapet to achieve a solid but open look.

The bridge replacement is part of the East Kilbride Enhancements Project, which is at the centre of the Scottish Government’s Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan.  It aims to increase capacity on the line to meet the needs of passengers with quieter and greener electric trains.

Electrified overhead lines powering the railway carry electricity 100 times greater than in the home.

And while some people have suffered electric shocks after dropping or dangling objects over the sides of older bridges, the installation of the new footbridge at Strathbungo will reduce the risk.

Network Rail is committed to working to relocate the existing bridge and have had early engagement with their asset team to gauge interest from heritage railways in rehoming the structure.

Work on this footbridge is planned to take place Summer 2022, although subject to gaining the necessary permissions.

• Boost for Glasgow Children’s Hospital

A group of property professionals has donated more than £6,000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

After lockdown meant that their usual events had to be cancelled, the RICS Matrics team organised a virtual quiz to raise funds for charity with more than 50 people taking part.

The fun night was the brainchild of Junior Vice Chair of the Glasgow and West branch Priya Kharbanda, who works for property agents Cushman & Wakefield. She wanted to find a way to not only support the NHS but to keep industry friends and colleagues connected while working from home during the pandemic.

The proceeds were split evenly between Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.