Produced for the industry by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering
Levelling Up
Levelling Up Hub
The Infrastructure Intelligence Levelling Up Hub highlights news, views and opinion on how the construction sector and placemaking can contribute to the government’s efforts to close the north-south divide and the influence the levelling up agenda. Well targeted and well-planned construction and infrastructure projects can play a crucial role in ‘levelling up’ and redressing the economic imbalance between north and south and in revitalising communities that have been left behind. This hub is the place to share news and views around the vital levelling up agenda.
Featured
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Budget must focus on green economy and infrastructure, says ACE
Focus on green economy and infrastructure is central to sustainable economic recovery, says leading trade association. -
New action plan to speed up delivery of major infrastructure projects
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects action plan aims to speed up delivery of major infrastructure. -
Retrofitting historic buildings could generate £35bn a year
Calls for a workforce to meet climate goals and safeguard historic buildings.
Articles
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Buildings
Plans unveiled for a new luxury hotel in Newcastle
Lichfields has outlined its plans for Quayside hotel in public consultation.Read more -
Railways
New Leeds railway station taking shape
Local contractor pleased to be helping play its part in helping supporting infrastructure in the North.Read more -
Professional development
Positive news on pay for construction industry project professionals
The 2023 Association for Project Management Salary and Market trends Survey reveals 10% salary rise since 2021.Read more -
HS2, SMEs
HS2 reveals £7.9bn in contracts awarded to 2,000 businesses
High-speed rail link is ‘helping keep businesses afloat’ amidst difficult economic conditions.Read more -
Net Zero
Work is progressing at first Net Zero school refurb in Wales
Morgan Sindall Construction will boost school’s capacity from 800 to 1,100.Read more -
Digital magazine
Editor’s message and March-April 2023 magazine download
The March-April 2023 edition of Infrastructure Intelligence is available to download now.Read more -
Mental Health, Diversity and inclusion
Pagabo announces return of the Feelgood Games in May
Feelgood Games this May encourages industry to tackle mental health in construction.Read more -
Social value
Gleeds launches charitable foundation
Gleeds Foundation pledges to donate £100,000 to UK charities every year.Read more -
Social value
Sophie Timms joins Impact Evaluation Standard Steering Committee
Timms is the corporate affairs director at Kier Group.Read more -
Net Zero, Climate Change Committee
Country still strikingly unprepared for climate change, says CCC
CCC progress report highlights lost decade in preparing and adapting for climate change.Read more -
Building Back Better
Cities urged to prioritise children’s needs in new urban design guide
New Arup design guide helps tackle air pollution, social inclusion and climate resilience.Read more -
National Infrastructure Commission, ACE
Go big where it counts to hit economic and climate goals, says NIC
ACE calls for confident policy approach, with infrastructure being central to a green and prosperous UK recovery.Read more -
Net Zero, Decarbonisation
£1.8bn boost for energy efficiency in homes and public buildings
£1.8bn energy efficiency boost to upgrade social homes and public buildings across England.Read more -
Great British Railways, Network Rail
Derby named as home of Great British Railways HQ
Derby tops six-strong shortlist to become home and national HQ of Great British Railways.Read more -
HS2, Building Back Better
HS2 construction driving economic growth in West Midlands
New figures show 422 businesses have benefited from £1.7bn in contracts.Read more -
HS2, Levelling up, ACE
UK’s reputation on infrastructure on the line, as HS2 is delayed
ACE calls on Government to protect global standing of the industry in the UK.Read more -
Apprenticeships
Travis Perkins launches landmark 10,000 apprentices target
The ambitious target aims to close industry skills gap.Read more -
Technology, Innovation, Digital transformation
Pagabo raises standards as early adopter of digital credential platform
Almost 100 contractors on Pagabo projects first to benefit from Construct.idRead more -
Education, Construction, Social value
Creating an environment where young people can flourish
Morgan Sindall Construction to build SEN school in Barnet.Read more -
Net Zero, Building Back Better, Retrofitting
Retrofitting historic buildings could generate £35bn a year
Calls for a workforce to meet climate goals and safeguard historic buildings.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
HS2 partners sponsor Buckinghamshire careers fair
Fair will showcase job opportunities on Britain's new railway.Read more -
Infrastructure delivery, ACE, Building Back Better
New action plan to speed up delivery of major infrastructure projects
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects action plan aims to speed up delivery of major infrastructure.Read more -
Education, Social value, Diversity and inclusion
Atkins launches industry first STEM school governor’s programme
Atkins professionals to volunteer at primary and secondary schools across England to help promote STEM subjects.Read more -
Transport, Active Travel
WSP to deliver sustainable transport network in Tees Valley
WSP to design and deliver range of sustainable and active travel solutions for Teesside.Read more -
offshore wind, Net Zero, Recruitment and skills
From the military to offshore wind
New careers for ex-servicemen demonstrates effort to plug skills shortages.Read more -
Regeneration, Building Back Better
Draft masterplan of Earls Court redevelopment unveiled
The plans include 4,500 homes, play space and public gardens.Read more -
Engineering, Gender Balance, EngineeringUK
New report shows stark gender divide in engineering and technology degrees
115,000 more girls need to study maths or physics to bridge engineering gender gap.Read more -
Spring Statement, ACE, Net Zero
Budget must focus on green economy and infrastructure, says ACE
Focus on green economy and infrastructure is central to sustainable economic recovery, says leading trade association.Read more -
Infrastructure Planning, Planning and infrastructure, NIC
Government asks NIC to review major projects planning policy
NIC will advise government ahead of action plan for major infrastructure projects.Read more -
HS2, National Highways
HS2 paves way for growth and development around Manchester Airport
HS2 and National Highways plan for growth and development around Manchester Airport.Read more -
ECITB
Andy Brown appointed interim CEO at ECITB
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board made announcement following Chris Claydon’s departure.Read more -
Active Travel, Active Travel England
£200m fund to get more people walking and cycling
Government fund to enable local authorities to make improvements to walking and cycling routes.Read more -
HS2, Apprenticeships, Recruitment and skills
Hundreds more apprenticeship jobs on offer at HS2
HS2 launches apprenticeship recruitment drive during National Apprenticeship Week.Read more -
Scotland, Infrastructure Pipeline
Scottish construction pipeline forecast jumps by £600m
Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool shows value of Scottish projects has increased £600m to £12.2bn.Read more -
CITB, Recruitment and skills
225,000 extra construction workers needed by 2027, says CITB
New report shows 225,000 extra workers needed to meet UK construction demand by 2027.Read more -
UK Infrastructure Bank
MPs raise questions over “rushed” UK Infrastructure Bank
MPs question independence, strength and value of first deals by UK Infrastructure Bank.Read more -
National Infrastructure Commission
NIC opens Leeds office
Government infrastructure advisers open office base in Leeds.Read more -
Consultancy and Engineering Awards 2022, ACE
Hugely important night for a hugely important industry
Winners announced at Consultancy and Engineering Awards, where industry inspiration shone through.Read more -
HS2, Apprenticeships
HS2 celebrates creating over 1,000 apprenticeships
Milestone means HS2 is more than halfway on track to hit target of 2,000 apprentices.Read more -
Recruitment and skills
Kier partners with STEM Returners to get people back into the industry
Kier looking for ‘hidden workforce’ of skilled workers to return to STEM industry.Read more -
Regeneration
£9.5m project set to make waves at West Hove seafront
Morgan Sindall appointed to deliver £9.5m West Hove seafront regeneration project.Read more -
Procurement, Building Back Better
Pagabo announces 94 suppliers on £1bn framework
Pagabo announces 94 suppliers on latest £1bn medium works framework.Read more -
Net Zero, Building Back Better
‘Lots to welcome’ in Net Zero Review, say ACE and NIC
Industry reacts to Chris Skidmore's independent Net Zero Review.Read more -
Net Zero, Building Back Better
Use infrastructure to unlock net zero, says review
Recommendations include supporting green energy infrastructure, planning reform and building greener homes.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
HS2 opens doors to young people and jobseekers
HS2 invites young people and jobseekers to visit potential employers across HS2 construction sites.Read more -
Women into Construction, Gender Balance
Campaign group launches new programme to attract women into industry
Women Into Construction teams up with Home Builders Federation to tackle gender imbalance in the industry.Read more -
HS2, Building Back Better, Recruitment and skills
From cleaner to HS2 site engineer within a year
Star student from Nigeria climbs career ladder, two years after leaving his home country.Read more -
HS2, Building Back Better, Construction supply chain
Delivering a safer, more efficient culture along the supply chain
Brendan Anderson outlines an example of Clancy’s role as a supply chain partner with HS2.Read more -
Building Back Better, Diversity and inclusion
Inclusive city making: an opportunity, not a burden
Maria Kouridou outlines how inclusively designed cities can benefit everyone.Read more -
Net Zero, Building Back Better, Education
New £57m zero-carbon secondary school plans approved
New Atkins designed £57m zero-carbon secondary school in West Sussex gets green light.Read more -
Infrastructure and society
Looking forward, glancing back
Andy Stamps discusses the outlook for infrastructure in 2023.Read more -
HS2, East West Rail
HS2 builds key East West Rail bridge
Boost for Oxford-Cambridge connections as HS2 builds key East West Rail bridge.Read more -
East West Rail, Building Back Better
East West Rail appoints technical partners to deliver next phase
Mott MacDonald and WSP to provide preliminary engineering and systems design, and environmental assessment.Read more -
HS2, SMEs
HS2 contracts tip in favour of Northamptonshire truck firm
Work on high speed rail project brings new jobs and investment boost to GCN Tipper Hire.Read more -
Building Back Better, Public transport
Midlands Rail Hub plans £1.5bn of new and improved infrastructure by 2030
Midlands Connect says plan is the biggest step possible in levelling-up the Midlands.Read more -
Education, Modern Methods of Construction, Frameworks
£30m milestone as Lungfish Architects supports 1,400 new school places
Lungfish has partnered with Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver educational infrastructure projects across Derby.Read more -
property, Transport for London
New homes development approved around London Tube station
Plans for 348 new affordable homes next to Hounslow West Tube station given the go-ahead.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
QPR’s young stars visit West London HS2 station site
HS2 partners with Queens Park Rangers football club to give youth players an insight into life on a construction site.Read more -
Social value, Frameworks
Pagabo celebrates £5bn social value milestone
National framework provider celebrates achievement made in last five years.Read more -
Education, Awards, Scotland
Faithful+Gould named education Consultancy of the Year
Team takes honour at Learning Places Scotland awards for the third time in four years.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
New plant training centre opens for HS2
New training centre will fast-track Bucks and Northants residents into jobs on HS2.Read more -
Recruitment and skills, Education, ACE
Using the power of football to build bridges
Claire Clifford praises a new project connecting football and STEM education.Read more -
ACE, Net Zero, Levelling up, Infrastructure and society
ACE calls for chancellor to deliver certainty with infrastructure
ACE calls on chancellor to maintain spending and unlock growth by delivering infrastructure certainty.Read more -
Social value, Public sector procurement
Industry heavyweights back Scape’s social value mission statement
Firms pledge to boost social value generation for the communities in which they work.Read more -
Mental Health, Procurement
Pagabo to introduce mental health questions into procurement process
Group CEO Gerard Toplass says asking about mental health is one of best ways to achieve greater accountability.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
College students tee up a new career on HS2
West Midlands students step into the world of work on T Level placements.Read more -
HS2
New HS2 rail freight to take 300,000 truck journeys off Bucks roads
First of approximately 1,800 freight trains arrives at HS2’s new Quainton railhead, near Aylesbury.Read more -
ACE, Consultancy and Engineering Awards 2022
High-profile editor to host rescheduled Consultancy and Engineering Awards
Times business technology editor Katie Prescott to host keenly anticipated Awards evening on 19 January.Read more -
Education, Skills
Morgan Sindall to help shape workforce of tomorrow with Developing Experts partnership
Morgan Sindall to develop school lessons that reflect the diverse range of careers available in construction.Read more -
Engineering, Recruitment and skills
Spotlight on T Levels awareness at 10th annual Tomorrow's Engineers Week
More work is needed to highlight awareness of T Levels says event organiser EngineeringUK.Read more -
Transport for the North, Decarbonisation, Electric vehicles
North needs to install almost 500 EV charge points per week, says TfN
Figures come as Transport for the North launches its regional Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Framework.Read more -
Net Zero, Devolution
UK cities need greater control to deliver net zero, says ITC
New ITC report claims UK cities need greater control to deliver their net zero carbon plans.Read more -
HS2, Diversity and inclusion
HS2 contractor hits gold for diversity and inclusion best practice
Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) has been awarded the Clear Assured Gold standard accreditation.Read more -
Recruitment and skills, Awards
WSP secures gold standard
WSP awarded gold membership of The 5% Club for its support of early career professionals.Read more -
Building Back Better, Sustainable communities, Net Zero
Suffolk County Council adopts new guide for sustainable, people-first developments
New Streets Guide has been drawn up with sustainable design and engineering expert Stantec.Read more -
Construction output, UK economy
Construction output forecast to fall by 3.9% in 2023, says CPA
Construction output set for significant fall in 2023, says Construction Products Association.Read more -
Engineering, Recruitment and skills
Industry urged to showcase engineering during 10th Tomorrow’s Engineers Week
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week runs from November 7 to 11.Read more -
ACE, Consultancy and Engineering Awards 2022
New date for Consultancy and Engineering Awards
Awards rescheduled for Thursday 19 January 2023 following planned rail strikes on original date.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
Launch of HS2’s giant London tunnelling machine sparks job opportunities
Project offers training and employment opportunities for residents in seven London boroughs.Read more -
HS2
HS2 celebrates as first London tunnelling machine is switched on
First of two 2,000 tonne tunnel boring machines starts five-mile journey towards Greenford from West Ruislip in West London.Read more -
Net Zero, Climate change
Facing the heat
Ramboll’s Andrew Mather outlines urgent need to adapt buildings to rising temperatures.Read more -
Social value, Levelling up, Recruitment and skills, Diversity and inclusion
Rethinking inclusive economic growth
Michelle Baker and Peter Masonbrook explore inclusive growth and attracting new talent to the industry.Read more -
Levelling up, Social value
Levelling up award for Tarmac
Company receives accolade for contribution to social mobility across UK in new awards scheme.Read more -
Building Back Better, Recruitment and skills
ECITB launches new £87m skills strategy
ECITB launches new £87m skills strategy to support industry growth.Read more -
Government, Politics
Industry welcomes new PM but calls for continued infrastructure investment
Industry welcomes Liz Truss and calls for focus on infrastructure, net zero and levelling up.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
Record numbers of unemployed secure jobs on HS2
HS2 says 2,200 previously unemployed people are now working to help build Britain’s new railway.Read more -
Diversity and inclusion, Gender Balance
Unequal pay is main barrier for women in project management, new study reveals
Third of female project professionals cite unequal pay as main barrier for women, new APM study reveals.Read more -
High Speed Rail Group (HRSG), Levelling up
High speed rail essential to levelling up, says new HSRG report
Politicians, combined authorities, academics and transport leaders join forces to stress importance of rail in levelling up.Read more -
Railways, Northern transport
Government must revisit decisions on Integrated Rail Plan, say MPs
MPs call for reassessment of Integrated Rail Plan to avoid missed opportunity to address regional imbalances.Read more -
Social value, Regeneration
How a new model of value can help Britain thrive
Atkins Zoe Metcalfe outlines need to rethink and fund social value to help communities thrive.Read more -
Net Zero, Recruitment and skills
New EngineeringUK analysis highlights lack of understanding around green STEM jobs
Insights from new EngineeringUK report suggests the UK could be “sleep walking” towards a net zero skills shortage.Read more -
Net Zero, Environment
No time to lose for nature-based solutions
Webinar makes irresistible case for nature-based solutions and going beyond net zero.Read more -
Health and wellbeing
Award to recognise ground-breaking research into mental wellbeing in cities
Ramboll Foundation launches the 2022 Flemming Bligaard Award.Read more -
Public transport
Very light rail should be part of future transport solutions
Andy Stamps outlines how and why future transport should be reliable, accessible and affordable.Read more -
ACE, Diversity and inclusion
“Listen to your people” is key message at ACE’s first Building Inclusivity roundtable
Event explores how we can go “beyond pride” to create inclusive workplaces.Read more -
Politics, Levelling up, Net Zero
Industry calls on Conservative leadership candidates to focus on big issues
Calls for Conservative leadership candidates to keep levelling up, net zero and major infrastructure at heart of agenda.Read more -
Diversity and inclusion, Building Back Better
You are not alone
Infrastructure Intelligence reports on new domestic abuse initiative on construction projects.Read more -
Network Rail
Multi-million-pound flood protection gets underway on mid-Wales railway
Network Rail is investing £4.4m to protect the future of the Cambrian Line.Read more -
HS2
Foundation work begins on HS2’s carbon-saving Wendover Dean Viaduct
HS2 says viaduct will be first major UK railway bridge to be built with ‘double composite’ structure, using less carbon-intensive concrete and steel.Read more -
National Highways, Building Back Better
Faithful+Gould to support National Highways regional investment programme
Faithful+Gould appointed to support National Highways £2.5bn regional investment programme.Read more -
HS2, Social value
HS2 celebrates community milestone
More than 200 community projects have now been supported with £12m of funding.Read more -
National Infrastructure Commission, Levelling up, Public transport
Getting cities moving past “Covid fog” critical for levelling up, says NIC
Cities need to redouble efforts to boost public transport and active travel options, says NIC.Read more -
Levelling up, UK economy
UK construction braced for further inflation through 2022
Turner & Townsend survey finds inflationary pressures could hinder UK's levelling up ambitions.Read more -
Public sector procurement
SCAPE names eight contractors to deliver £750m construction framework
Contractors appointed to deliver community-focused public sector projects across the Midlands and East of England.Read more -
Construction Innovation Hub, Social value, Value Toolkit
Industry welcomes completion of Value Toolkit
Value Toolkit set to embed social and environmental value-based decision-making in the built environment.Read more -
Regeneration, Birmingham
Arcadis appointed to develop next phase for Birmingham regeneration
Design and engineering consultancy to bring forward Birmingham’s Our Future City Plan.Read more -
CITB, Construction
Construction must find more than 250,000 extra workers by 2026, says CITB
New report says more than 50,000 new staff per year must be recruited to keep pace with demand.Read more -
Transport for the North
Collaboration is key as Transport for the North revises its Strategic Transport Plan
Working together on spatial planning and rural mobility can support better connectivity and economic growth, says TfNRead more -
Women in Transport, Public transport, Parliament
Safety of women while travelling is key, says Women In Transport
MP's pledge support for making women feel safe while travelling on the transport network.Read more -
Levelling up
£160m for four major road and bridge upgrades to boost economic growth
Investment in transport schemes in Cornwall, Greater Manchester, Newcastle and Southampton.Read more -
HS2
HS2 celebrates twin job creation milestones
HS2 celebrates twin milestone of 900th apprentice and almost 25,000 jobs.Read more -
CITB, Recruitment and skills
CITB to invest over £233m in British construction
CITB 2022/23 business plan outlines £233m to support construction across Britain.Read more -
Levelling up, Northern Powerhouse
Mott MacDonald report calls for delivery on promise of levelling up
Northern Powerhouse and CBI join call to enable towns and cities to ensure powerful regional economy.Read more -
Levelling up, Planning and infrastructure, Regeneration
Levelling Up bill sidesteps major planning reforms
Government sidesteps major planning reforms but supports local leaders to control regeneration.Read more -
Social value
Social value more important than ever for construction and society
Second annual Infrastructure Intelligence social value conference proves great success.Read more -
HS2, Recruitment and skills
Supporting veterans into employment on HS2
Partnership with BuildForce sees military veterans supported into jobs on HS2.Read more -
Queen's speech, Levelling up
Queen’s Speech praised for levelling up emphasis
Industry welcomes levelling up emphasis in Queen’s Speech, but concerns raised on planning, net zero and skills.Read more -
Levelling up
Piecemeal levelling up white paper lacks a future-proofed vision
The government’s levelling up plans must help not hinder local action.Read more -
Placemaking, Levelling up, Scotland
North Lanarkshire unveils £1.2bn placemaking agenda
Five-year £1.2bn investment puts people at the heart of North Lanarkshire towns and communities.Read more -
Regional Infrastructure, Railways
Darlington station £105m transformation gets green light
Plans approved for Darlington railway station’s £105m transformation.Read more -
Devolution, Regions, Politics
Fund transport like London and the north will deliver, say mayors
Government challenged to show its seriousness on levelling up promises.Read more -
Devolution, Placemaking
Think people not infrastructure, Burnham urges construction
Greater Manchester's mayor bigs up English devolution at Labour's conference in BrightonRead more -
National Infrastructure Commission, Devolution
Devolve power and funding to local areas to help level up, says NIC
Fundamental shift in funding to local level needed to help level up English towns, says NIC.Read more -
Leading the conversation on levelling up
Speaking up for infrastructure and construction at the forthcoming Conservative Party conference.Read more -
Railway Industry Association, Post-Covid recovery
UK rail industry vital in post-Covid recovery, says new report
Rail industry publishes new report on the economic value of rail in the post-Covid recovery.Read more
Viewpoints
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Levelling up
Levelling-up white paper can be blueprint for success for the north
Levelling-up white paper can be blueprint for success for the north, says Arcadis’s Richard Bonner. -
Levelling up
Levelling up white paper falls way short of what is needed
According to the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, the levelling up white paper doesn’t offer a coherent roadmap for economic change. -
National Infrastructure Bank, Infrastructure funding
New UK infra-bank needs to de-risk projects
The new national infrastructure bank must invest in proven technology and projects to deliver value for money. -
Building back better will require a political balancing act
ACE's Matthew Farrow offers his thoughts on what the Queen's speech means for the construction industry.
Tweets
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