Building Briefs – May 9th

Star quality as CGC runs an eco-friendly fleet of vans

Construction firm CGC has been given a four-star pat on the back for making its fleet of vans as green as possible.

It has been awarded an important accreditation as the business strives to reduce pollution from its vehicles.

The endorsement has come from the ‘Eco Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme’ which has the endorsement of Renfrewshire Council.

Paisley-based CGC gained the second highest level of recognition with five stars being the top rating.

The aim of the scheme is to promote “efficient and cleaner operations in Renfrewshire”.

All vehicles on the road whether they are cars, vans or buses create emissions and while fuel is now unleaded and has been for many years, pollution still occurs.

With a fleet of 50 vans on the road daily CGC based in MacDowall Street recognises it has to do its bit to keep the air as clean as possible.

The company recently bought 15 more vans which, like any new vehicles, are more fuel efficient and pollute less than older models.

Some things are already in place at CGC such as tracking vehicles so that “engine idling” – when an engine is running but the vehicle is not moving – is reduced as much as possible. This is a notorious cause of air pollution.

All CGC vehicles have a “trip computer” so that drivers can be encouraged how to drive in the most fuel efficient manner.

Wade Centre reopens after refurbishment

A key part of the redesign of health and social care services in Badenoch and Strathspey has been completed.

The Wade Centre in Kingussie has undergone major refurbishment works following a £1.4 million investment from the Highland Council’s Care and Learning Capital Programme.

The refurbishment at the NHS Highland-managed care home and day centre for older people reflects the health board’s continuing commitment to the delivery of quality health and care services in Kingussie.

Heating, electrical and lighting systems at the Wade Centre have been upgraded and improvements were made to the residents’ en-suite bathrooms. The centre was re-roofed and fire safety measures were upgraded, including the installation of a sprinkler system. The garden area was also improved to allow easier access and use for residents.

Some new furniture was provided and an additional bedroom, described as a ‘step-up, step-down’ facility, was created in the centre, allowing enhanced services to be provided to help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for some people or to enable discharge from hospital. The centre has 10 beds, eight of which are residential and two for respite.

The refurbishment will help to ensure that the Wade Centre will continue to play a key role in the provision of NHS Highland services in the area.

The health board is currently undergoing a ‘major service change’ redesign of its services in Badenoch and Strathspey – an initiative which will see the provision of a new hospital and health centre in Aviemore and the eventual closure of Ian Charles Community Hospital in Grantown-on-Spey and St Vincent’s Hospital.

However, the redesign is not just about bricks and mortar. It will see considerable investment in community and care-at-home services in Badenoch and Strathspey, and the developments in the Wade Centre forms part of the new ways of working. Work to introduce ‘step-up, step-down’ beds is also planned for Grant House in Grantown-on-Spey.

Eco holiday lodges planned at derelict piggery in Aberdeenshire

A developer has lodged plans for a luxury holiday park in the Mearns.

The application, which has been submitted by Monarch Leisure and Park Homes, involves the demolition of a derelict piggery at Dowrieburn near Fettercairn and the creation of “an environmentally-friendly holiday destination”.

The 27-acre site will include 57 chalets surrounded by landscaped grounds, country walkways, fishing ponds and a nature observation tower.

Barr Demolition from Aberdeen is recognised experts in the safe removal and disposal of asbestos and other hazardous materials and has been approached to demolish and decontaminate the existing piggery buildings.

Non-hazardous materials from the demolition would be crushed on site and used to construct roads and pathways and this aspect of the development is likely to cost around £310,000.

The demolition and all other work on site would be subject to the terms of a Construction Environmental Management Plan which would control noise levels, dust, start and finish times, waste management and other environmental issues.

Solar park planned for Highland Perthshire farm

The company behind Scotland’s biggest solar farm is eyeing up a new site in Perthshire.

Elgin Energy recently launched its sun-power park at the Errol Estate, generating enough power for more than 3,500 homes.

Now the firm has unveiled plans for a second multi-million-pound development near Abernethy.

If approved, around 40,000 panels will be installed across 55 acres of sheep-grazing land near Cordon Farm, on the banks of the River Earn.

The 10MW facility would be slightly smaller than the Errol plant, generating power for around 3,000 properties.

UK government subsidy cuts in the last 10 years made the solar sector less financially viable, and prompted several projects to be cancelled.

But developers say the projects are proof that solar parks can work well in Scotland and will make a “significant” contribution to reversing climate change.

The land will remain in agricultural use, with sheep let to graze amongst the panels.

If approved, the park would only take between eight to 12 weeks to put together. During the work, there will be around 240 vehicle movements to and from the site.

After construction, maintenance teams would visit the site every two to three months.

The park will be surrounded by new fencing and protected by CCTV.

Elgin Energy’s application for planning consent is being considered by council officers and a ruling is expected in the coming months.

Overnight closure for AWPR works on B979 at Stonehaven

The B979 Netherley Road at Stonehaven is expected to close for two nights for utility works this weekend as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project.

It is anticipated that the B979 Netherley Road will close at 8pm on Saturday 13 May and reopen the following morning at 6am. The road is expected to close again at 8pm on Sunday 14 May and reopen at 6am on Monday 15 May.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The contractor has been working closely with Police Scotland and the local authorities to ensure anyone who needs to use this section of the B979 Netherley Road over this weekend has a viable alternative available to them, while enhancing the safety of road users and road workers.”

Work progresses on £3.3m Hermitage Park restoration

Work is continuing on the £3.3 million regeneration of Hermitage Park in Argyll and Bute.

The multi-million pound restoration will see the park transformed into a new modern facility featuring new playgrounds and fountains.

Work started to date includes the demolition and removal of the old toilet block; completion of tree works; the restoration of memorial walls; the Japanese shelter and old pavilion are being prepared for demolition; consolidation work on the mill remains and work is well underway to replace the path network, install lighting and the new drainage system.

As part of the project, a temporary closure of the park is now in place to allow the landscaping contractor to carry out work on the park’s footpaths and structures.

Overall, the £3.3m project has been part funded with £2.3m from the Heritage Lottery, Parks for People fund. Other funders include Sustrans, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and the Friends of Hermitage Park. The council has contributed £280,000.

Kier to start repairing sewer network in Comrie

Kier Construction is to begin repair work on a sewer network in Perth and Kinross.

The scheme involves carrying out improvements to existing sewer covers located on Drummond Street (A85) at the Bridge next to St Margaret’s Church in Comrie.

Work will take place from 7.30pm to 11pm from Wednesday, 17 May. Diversions will be in place.

The scheme was originally due to take place in January, however it was postponed due to other works in the area.

Work continues on £500,000 M8 motorway barrier upgrade

Work is continuing on a £500,000 barrier upgrade project on the M8 motorway.

The eight-week scheme has now switched to the eastbound side of the route, with work taking place between 8pm and 6am from Sunday to Thursday. Diversions will be in place.

Overall, nearly 2km of barrier will be replaced as part of Scotland TranServ’s plan to provide long-term benefits to commuters, freight traffic and tourists using one of Scotland’s busiest transport corridors.