Building Briefs – July 27th

A new innovative app will give Dundee residents a glimpse into the future.

The 3D interactive app allowing users to explore Dundee Central Waterfront in 2018, including the interior of the forthcoming V&A Museum of Design Dundee, has been launched online.

Users can explore the city’s new boulevards, view the new Railway Station, explore Slessor Gardens and get a bird’s eye view of the marina, new hotels, leisure, retail, business and residential areas.

The next phase of the app will go live in August, allowing users to point their devices at the V&A Dundee site hoardings to view a fully rendered 3D visualisation of the completed design museum.

The ‘Dundee Waterfront 2018’ app can be downloaded here.

Winchburgh works finish on time

The Edinburgh-Glasgow main line is to reopen today following on-time completion of six-week project.

Engineers – who have been working to lower and relay track through the 330m-long tunnel and install equipment to enable electrification of the line – will complete the 44-day, £17 million project to schedule this weekend.

All ScotRail passenger services affected by the work, which has been the most significant piece of engineering on the line since the Victorian era, will resume normal service from Monday morning.

New Waverley Arches to be transformed into Fringe venue

A set of Victorian C-listed arches in Edinburgh are to become the newest venue for the Edinburgh Fringe festival after developers announced plans to host Freestival within the space.

Up to 40 free shows will run every day within brick vaults beneath Jeffrey Street, a key part of the £150m New Waverley master plan being delivered by Artisan Real Estate.

Following the festival it is planned to make the 19 arches the centrepiece of a permanent arts and leisure quarter, including a three-storey glass fronted structure and rooftop terrace offering expansive views across the Waverley Valley.

Ground investigations to take place for A9 dualling programme

Transport Scotland has announced ground investigations are to be carried out on small sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.

The work will gain ‘vital’ information on the existing carriageway for the A9 Dualling programme beginning 3 August.

Advance ground investigation works will be carried out on the northern section of the A9 and is expected to take five days.

In addition, more detailed ground investigation works are to be carried out for 12 weeks on a number of locations on the central stretch between Dalnaspidal and Kincraig.

The ground investigation works are expected to begin on 3 August along with the dualling programme.

Work to extend Falkirk car park to begin

Falkirk Council has announced work to extend a car park in Camelon will begin on 26 July.

A total of £48,000 is being invested in 24 extra car parking spaces at Camelon Crematorium.

The upgrade works are expected to take four weeks.

Electrical upgrading work will also take place on 22 and 23 August.

A large scale investment is planned across bereavement services over the next few years and includes the refurbishment of Camelon Crematorium.

Entries encouraged for National Home Improvement Council awards

The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) Annual Awards, which recognise achievement in the UK housing arena are just a few months away.

Entries are invited for categories across a spectrum of housing modernisation projects and associated activities including energy efficiency, glazing, roofing, gas safety and aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades.

Key sponsors of this year’s NHIC Awards, highly regarded as the premier event in this sector, include British Gas, Glass and Glazing Federation, National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Gas Safety Trust, QANW and Schueco UK. The awards are also supported by the European Water Label and CompetentRoofer.

It’s not too late to enter and companies and organisations working in disciplines covered by the award categories can enter a project completed within the past year. In this way they can take advantage of an opportunity to help raise the profile of the many inspirational initiatives that are characteristic of our nation’s ingenuity in the field of housing.

Entry is free and more details are available from the sponsors listed above or by visiting www.nhic.org.uk and clicking on NHIC Annual Awards to download an application form. The straight forward entry form must be submitted with any supporting evidence by the closing date of 22nd September.

The winners will be announced at a special luncheon in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on Thursday 12th November 2015.

New chief executive takes the reins at City of Edinburgh Council

The new chief executive of City of Edinburgh Council is set to begin work today.

Andrew Kerr joins from Cornwall Council, succeeding Dame Sue Bruce who retired last week following 40 years of public service.

Councillors unanimously approved a report recommending his appointment during May’s council meeting, following which he has made a number of trips to the Capital to familiarise himself with the role.

One of Andrew’s achievements in his previous role came earlier this month, successfully negotiating a Devolution Deal for Cornwall – the first rural authority in England to be offered one.

Edinburgh is currently working with its five neighbouring local authorities to pursue a similar deal for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region.