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May 31, 2017 at 02:50PM

Developer joins forces with Uber to ditch parking spaces

Private rented sector specialist Moda is linking up with taxi app Uber to cut the number of car parking places in its city centre developments.

Residents will receive up to £100 in Uber credits each month if they agree not to have a car parking space.

Moda will swap the space previously used for car parking for greater amenities within the developments like fitness centres and media rooms.

Moda, backed by Apache Capital Partners, is delivering more than 6,000 apartments across the UK with major city centre developments in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

Its first scheme, Angel Gardens in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood, is currently under construction and will house close to 900 residents when it completes in 2019.

Moda’s buildings are created only for rent, and include shared areas that mimic a high-end hotel.

Jo Bertram, regional general manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Cars are one of the most expensive assets most people own, but they’re used just five per cent of the time.

“Our mission is for everybody to have a reliable ride at the touch of a button so they don’t need their own car.

“These plans for what will be a unique partnership with Moda Living is a big step forward in making that a reality.

“By getting more people to ditch their own vehicles we can put some of the space wasted on parking to much better use.”

Johnny Caddick, managing director of Moda Living, said: “Our apartments are for rent rather than for sale so we need to consider how our customers will live in cities in the future.

“Embracing future technology is vital from day one and these plans for a partnership with Uber would not only give our customers an affordable ride at the touch of a button – it would also enable us to design better buildings with more space for social interaction.”

The post Developer joins forces with Uber to ditch parking spaces appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

CONCRETE CONDITION CHECK KEY TO STRUCTURAL WELLBEING

In older reinforced concrete structures, particularly those in coastal locations with a prevalence of salty air, or ones exposed long-term to pollutants in towns and cities, some form of corrosion is inevitable. However, the visual signs of carbonisation and chlorides, such as cracks or spalling, can take months, possibly even years before appearing. By then, of course, serious damage could be done and repairs could prove costly.

To protect and prolong the life of a structure, early corrosion diagnosis is vital. But how is this achieved when the surface gives no indication of a problem? A concrete condition survey offers a reliable test as to how a building is reacting to its surrounding environment. BS EN 1504 Standards stipulate a survey and interpretation of results is a prerequisite prior to work starting on concrete repair projects. This will reveal the overall state of the concrete and determine the type of remedial action required.

Sika is in the process of launching an investigation service. In conjunction with our partner, Vector, the survey will identify the most appropriate corrosion management system to employ. This offering further demonstrates our all-round commitment to quality concrete refurbishment.

A survey could include the following depending on the structure and condition of the concrete:

Visual inspection: This offers a flexible and powerful form of testing. It can provide an immediate assessment of a concrete structure’s condition and identify causes of stress or other debilitating conditions. A visual inspection, however, is dependent on the competence and experience of the survey team carrying it out, therefore surveys of this kind should only be made by those qualified and experienced to do so.

Hammer testing: A hammer test identifies hollow or spalled areas of concrete by assessing the sound difference using either a hammer or chain.

Carbonation: A solution called Phenolphthalein is used to indicate levels of alkalinity which triggers the corrosion process. The substance, which is spray-applied, turns pink when it contacts alkaline in concrete.

Break out: Break out testing sees areas of concrete broken away to assess the condition of the steel. This test acts as a validation measure against the other tests such as carbonation, chloride and half-cell measurements.

Concrete cover: A cover meter survey identifies and records the minimum and average depths of concrete cover to the embedded steel to help determine the risk of corrosion. It is also used to identify where the steel is.

Chloride analysis: This involves collecting concrete dust samples to test for the presence of chlorides.

Half-cell potential mapping: Corrosion of reinforcing steel is an electro-chemical process and the deterioration of the steel can be assessed by measuring its half-cell potential. The greater the potential, the higher the risk that corrosion is taking place.

Corrosion rate measurement: An electrochemical test carried out on the surface of the corroding metal to assess the causes of corrosion and predict the rate it will occur.

Once a survey has taken place, results will determine the most suitable corrosion management system to employ. For example, where high levels of chlorides are detected within the concrete, the Sika® Galvashield® system, comprising embedded galvanic anodes, is recommended. The sacrificial anodes prevent the formation of new corrosion sites either adjacent to the refurbished concrete or to concrete which is visually sound but from the survey information identified as high risk.

This simple, innovative anode system involves a small, circular-shaped cementitious shell encasing a zinc core which is quickly and easily fastened to exposed steel reinforcement. Once installed, the anode’s zinc core corrodes sacrificially to the surrounding rebar to therefore protect it.

A concrete conditioning survey can help identify a potential problem before it takes hold, tying-in with the well-known saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’. The good news is, with the launch of our investigation service, alongside our existing Total Corrosion Management System, Sika has the means to provide both the prevention and a long-term cure.

The post CONCRETE CONDITION CHECK KEY TO STRUCTURAL WELLBEING appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Wolf Paving Q&A on Mr. Fix-It - Damaged Asphalt Driveways to Recycling

Wolf Paving was once again featured in WTMJ’s “Mr. Fit-It” radio show to share some asphalt expertise in an interview lead by Milwaukee’s Tom Feiza. This program gives weekly advice on home improvements, repairs and do-it-yourself projects.

We’ve divided up the interview into three sections so you can quickly find the answers to your pavement questions! Click the radio clips to get in depth answers these common questions or check out our summary for an informative on-the-go response.

Click Here to Listen to Part 1 of the Radio Interview!

Q&A Highlights For Part 1:

What can a snow plow do to damage asphalt?

If your pavement is already damaged, a plow can make it worse. If you have alligator cracks, that’s a sign that your asphalt is having problems. The base underneath is failing, and the structure that’s holding up the asphalt is starting to disintegrate which makes it lose strength. When the snowplows come through they catch the edges and that can tear things up. We have a checklist that’s important to go through in the fall to prepare your parking lot or driveway for winter so that you don’t hook those edges. Some crack filling and preventative maintenance will help to not let the snow plow wreck it over the winter.

I’m looking to redo my driveway, it’s currently asphalt but I’ve heard about this green asphalt, is that something I’d use in a residential? And is it something I should be considering?

Green asphalt is a term we use in the industry for asphalt with recycled products in it. We recycle the old asphalt that comes out of driveways and parking lots, taking that back to our plant and process it down then add it back into the new mix. We also take roofing shingles, grind those down, and turn them into a powder. We add that back into the new asphalt as well. Once we put all these recycled products into the mix it becomes Green Asphalt. It’s got a lot of benefits. Asphalt oxidizes over time which makes it a little harder, the oils we recover from the roofing shingles and the old asphalt are already oxidized and it adds a little bit of strength to it. So, it’s a better product that virgin asphalt and it diverts a lot of material out of the landfills

I have a question about alligator cracking, is there a way to fix it without replacing the whole driveway? Like a crack filler?

Sure, depending on how severe it’s getting I would definitely suggest crack filling right away. The biggest problem that destroys a driveway is water getting underneath it, so you wanna keep that water out. Especially in the winter time, it will freeze and start pushing up. I would crack fill it immediately and try and to get that area to dry out because it’s gonna get real soft underneath when it gets wet.

True or False: is sealing a driveway good or bad?

It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Driveway sealing works great for UV ray protection. It also protects from gas spills or oil that drips from your car. The problem is people apply asphalt sealer too often, it’s almost like getting too many layers of paint on your house. When it gets too thick it will start flaking off. You need to wait about every other year, or maybe even every 3rd year, before you can put another coat on.

In general, what’s the best sealer (latex base, water base, oil base)?

Our industry is going to a latex based sealer. It’s the most environmentally friendly, and it’s easy to apply. You mix in a little water in with the asphalt, emulsifying it. That water will dry away in a latex sealer and you’ll be left with nothing but the asphalt.

If you don’t have the right surface drainage around the edges that can destroy your driveway, asphalt or concrete. We have a spring checklist and a fall checklist to show you how catch those trouble signs.

Click Here to Listen to Part 2 of the Radio Interview!

Q&A Highlights For Part 2: 

I’ve got a nasty driveway, blacktop, more pieces are coming out than staying in. I wanna have it redone, does all of that have to be dug out or do they just put a new layer on top of the ugly layer?

When it starts to get to that point it needs to be removed. When it comes to anything that’s coming apart that bad, trying to cover it up it will reflect right back through the top. If it’s really coming apart that bad you’re probably having some base problems underneath it. Asphalt is a flexible product, it gets its strength from what it’s sitting on so you must have a good gravel base.

I’ve got a cracked concrete driveway, could I put an inch of asphalt over it?

You could, but what’s gonna happen is that the concrete underneath is gonna move as one piece. And when it moves over the winter you’re gonna have a crack at every joint in that concrete. Any cracks that are in that concrete now are gonna reflect through. It’s not something we recommend. Have we done it? Yes, if we have to fix a drainage problem for a short-term basis but in the long run it’s not a good way to go.

We are looking to replace our driveway, it’s in decent shape, what do you think about tearing it all up and getting a new base vs shaving off the top and paving over the existing base?

Taking a bit off the top is called milling process, we have a milling machine that will grind an inch or two inches of asphalt off. If your driveway is in pretty good shape, and there aren’t a lot of cracks in it, it’s a possibility that can be done. Those milling machines are very heavy. Driveways aren’t built like roads are built to hold that machine up, generally we do a lot of milling on roadways and parking lots. You might be able to get away with it, but that mill might just push through the asphalt that’s left and brake through to that gravel base. If you have a lot of cracks now, milling and paving over will lead to those cracks still reflecting in the new asphalt.

Click Here to Listen to Part 3 of the Radio Interview!

Q&A Highlights For Part 3: 

What’s the average life of asphalt sealant?

That’s a tough one. It depends on exposure to the sun, rain and everything else but you wanna let that sealer wear off before you apply another coat. It depends on how it was applied in the first place, you could be looking at some dry areas after a year or you could be waiting three years to apply your next coat. But you really want to let it wear down because you don’t want it to build up too thick by reapplying it.

When you do a base is it one kind of rock or stone?

It depends what we’re doing. If you’re going through a really wet area we might put some construction fabric down. Maybe a three-inch clear stone over that to get it to lock together, and then probably finish it off with an inch and a quarter crushed fine gravel. There are other times if you got a good base you could just put down the ¾ inch gravel,

You manufacture the product, is part of that recycling?

We probably recycle about 40,000 tons of roofing shingles a year. And you’re probably looking at 100,000 tons of concrete and asphalt combined. We’re probably creeping up on 250 or 300 thousand tons of material recycles a year.

The post Wolf Paving Q&A on Mr. Fix-It - Damaged Asphalt Driveways to Recycling appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

BREEAM’S SUCCESS FOUNDED ON COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The importance and usefulness of evidence cannot be underestimated. Without it, we can have no confidence in the effectiveness of our past activities or future strategies. Used correctly, however, evidence can be used as a solid bedrock on which to build all our plans upon.

As a product of the BRE, it comes as no surprise that independent research and sound scientific evidence are fundamental ingredients of the BREEAM Standard. What’s possibly less commonly recognised is the ongoing role cutting-edge research plays in the continual development of BREEAM, keeping the Standard at the very forefront of the latest green building thinking and helping to drive excellence in sustainability across the globe.

Since its launch in 1990, BREEAM has expanded its reach to 78 countries with 2,626,873 registered buildings and 561,191 certificates issued worldwide to date. With an 80% market share, BREEAM dominates the European green building market. And with the recent launch of BREEAM USA, we’re hoping to replicate this success in North America.

We believe one of the main keys to the growth of BREEAM is in its flexibility and ongoing development. BREEAM has been adapted for individual markets across the globe to enable the assessment and certification of various built environment projects, including new builds, refurbishments, wider masterplanning projects, infrastructure and even the current operational sustainability of a functional building.

The methodology is constantly adapted to stay ahead of best practice within the industry, meaning those undertaking the Standard can always be sure their asset is certified against the most rigorous sustainability criteria. In-depth research – freely available through our website – is central to this endeavour.

The second factor driving BREEAM’s uptake both in the UK and overseas is the ever-deeper understanding of the business case for green buildings.

Earlier this month, in a report by edie.net, the Chief Executive of the US Green Building Council Mahesh Ramanujam urged European businesses to invest in certifications such as BREEAM stating “there is value in certification and it is important to pursue to generate validation from the external markets”.

A recent study found the global market will respond accordingly. The World Green Building Trends predicts a near 100% rise in the number of green buildings by 2018 – at which time it estimates that 37% of companies will have the majority of their estate certified sustainable, up from 18% when the report was published last year.

By generating the latest, leading thinking on all aspects of sustainable development and incorporating it into the Standard, BRE is focused on ensuring BREEAM is able to meet this demand. Using the latest research to continuously amend and adapt the BREEAM criteria, companies and communities utilising the Standard worldwide will be able achieve the very best green results possible.

We understand the importance of evidence and the effect it can have on a person or organisation’s thinking and the strategies they put in place. This is why we take such care with the evidence we publish in our research, such as included in our recent Value of BREEAM to Retail in the UK report.

Through the publication of such research, we hope to give companies across the globe the confidence to invest further in sustainable development and assurance that BREEAM can help them on their journey to a greener way of working.

For more information on BREEAM visit: www.breeam.com

The post BREEAM’S SUCCESS FOUNDED ON COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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May 23, 2017 at 11:23AM

The Future Of London’s Skyline

Over the next few years, London’s skyline will change dramatically, so we thought we’d take a look at some of the new buildings that are about to pop up in the nation’s capital as well as showing you where exactly they’ll be developed and outline some of the concerns made by locals who are keen to keep the skyline as it is.

The Future Of London’s Skyline by Rubber Bond.

The post The Future Of London’s Skyline appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 22, 2017

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May 22, 2017 at 10:06AM

The Survey Association Bursary builds bright future for Geomatics students

The Survey Association’s £2000 bursary award is set to boost the career prospects of two exceptional Geomatics students at Newcastle University.

The winners, Connor Foxall and Oliver Smith, received their cash prize at a TSA conference where they also had the opportunity to network with industry professionals and guest speakers.

These included Matt Shaw of ScanLAB Projects Ltd., whose laser scanning expertise was recently featured in the BBC series, Italy’s Invisible Cities.

Following the conference, Connor was offered a week-long work placement at ScanLAB’s London office and used some of the bursary money to fund his travel and accommodation costs.

Connor commented on his time at ScanLAB. ‘’Talking to the different members of the team, exploring new software and equipment and practising the industrial processes needed to produce a deliverable was invaluable experience.’’

‘’I intend to use most of the remaining money to fund a second work placement during the summer,’’ he added.

TSA has awarded a bursary to second year students at Newcastle since 2011. This year, applicants were invited to submit a paper on ‘Building for the Future,’ focussing on ideas of their choice, such as BIM, Smart Cities, and advances in mapping and measurement technology.

TSA President, Adam Bradley, said, ‘’The judging panel comprises three TSA Council members, the Secretary General and myself and we were all impressed by the quality of this year’s winning entries, the interpretation of the Building for the Future brief, and the relevance of the submissions to the geospatial context.’’

‘It is very encouraging to hear how the TSA Bursary helps graduate entrants to the profession access the right contacts and opportunities to help them develop and progress their careers.’’

A proportion of Oliver Smith’s award will be used to fund research tools needed to create new analytical techniques for his dissertation project.

Oliver Smith explains, ‘’My project uses telecom network data to map and analyse the influences on pedestrian movements in city centres. The TSA Bursary will be used to purchase data and subscribe to online software used to visualise the flows over time.’’

‘’I’m aiming to produce innovative research that will interest telecom providers, showing them how the analysis of big data can lead to profitable opportunities,’’ he added.

The TSA Bursary will also support Oliver’s attendance at the International Geodetic Student Meeting (IGSM), a major event offering networking and learning opportunities in geodesy, cartography, photogrammetry and GIS to students from 34 different countries.

For further information on The Survey Association visit

http://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/    Tel: 01636 642840 Email: office@tsa-uk.org.uk  

The post The Survey Association Bursary builds bright future for Geomatics students appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 19, 2017

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May 19, 2017 at 06:56PM

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 19, 2017

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May 19, 2017 at 10:46AM

UK Construction Week General Election Survey

 

The post UK Construction Week General Election Survey appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 18, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

May 18, 2017 at 10:46AM

Sir Richard Branson tops poll in General Election survey

UK Construction Week, the UK’s largest gathering and community of construction professionals, has conducted a survey to uncover and tackle issues facing construction, housebuilding and skills in the run up to the General Election. With over 1,000 responses from a cross section of professionals working in the sector, key points from the survey include:

 

Sir Richard Branson is named as ‘the best person’ to head up new UK infrastructure projects

77% believe state intervention is needed for more housing

38% want Gavin Barwell to retain his position as Housing Minister

54% call for more housebuilding on brownfield sites

 

One of the most significant results from the survey was for Sir Richard Branson, who was voted as the best person to spearhead new UK infrastructure projects, such as HS2 and Heathrow Airport, signalling a need for more entrepreneurial vision in tackling large scale projects.

 

On the result, Sir Richard Branson said: “I’m very flattered by the survey. The only danger is that if I oversaw these key infrastructure projects then by the time I’ve finished there would only be room for one airline and one train company, both beginning with the letter V! The key thing one needs to get right is to plan these major projects with the customer’s needs in mind. Too often these are planned by engineers for engineers and fail to meet the user’s demand. This means they are underused and fail to have the major impact they should do.”

 

Further results show a three way split on the government’s current housing policy with a third of those polled voting both for and against current policies, and a third not convinced either way.

 

Over half of those surveyed (54%) called for the next elected government to be more aggressive with planning permissions on brownfield sites to enable house building. Only 11% voted to loosen Green Belt restrictions, dispelling the myth that the construction industry wants to build on protected land.

 

Although the industry isn’t wholly satisfied with current housing policy, Gavin Barwell was voted overwhelmingly in favour as the best man for the job of Housing Minister, with the next name suggested, Boris Johnson, only receiving a quarter of the number of nominations. Labour’s John Healey, previous Housing Minister under the Labour government, was the third suggestion.

77% of those surveyed believe the only way to reach 1 million homes by 2020 is by state intervention, and for a council house building programme to begin.

 

For infrastructure, there was a two way split between Vince Cable and Sir Richard Branson who were both voted as the best people to lead UK infrastructure projects, followed by Sir Alan Sugar and Sir James Dyson. A clear indication the industry feels it needs entrepreneurial visionaries to successfully take projects forward to 2021.

 

In terms of major projects the industry is generally positive about these going ahead with a Conservative government, with HS2 and Heathrow seen as the safest projects followed by Hinkley point, Crossrail 2, Thames Tideway and the road renewal building programme.

 

However, there is a real concern that major projects will stall if the Conservative government is not re-elected, with a majority of those surveyed believing all projects will stall with HS2 coming out on top (44%) followed by Crossrail 2 (40%) followed by the road renewal building programme (40%), Hinkley Point (30%), Thames Tideway (30%) and Heathrow third runway (26%).

 

Nathan Garnett, Event Director at Media 10, which runs UKCW, said: “We have seen a great deal of talk around housing and infrastructure in this general election campaign so far, so I think that the main political parties should take note of this industry wide survey. It shows that there are still a lot more assurances and interventions needed to build the homes we need and the infrastructure we have been promised. We will be using these results to make sure the main political parties know what the industry wants, and one clear message is that innovation and entrepreneurial endeavour cannot happen without government assistance.”

The post Sir Richard Branson tops poll in General Election survey appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Liverpool names team for £50m cruise terminal

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May 16, 2017 at 12:21PM

North East Driveways & Patios

McLaughlin & Harvey wins £25m Blackpool Winter Gardens job

How To Save Your Business Money By Adding Green Infrastructure

No aspect of your business is too small to overlook, especially when it comes to saving money.
If your parking lot could provide you with a high return on investment, years of durability, potential grants or tax breaks, and help the environment at the same time, wouldn’t you pursue that opportunity?

At Wolf Paving, we have an cost-saving, environmentally friendly solution for your new parking lot that could save you money in the long run. Take a look at your parking lot, are you getting as much out of it as you could? If not, consider the benefits of green infrastructure and porous asphalt.

What is Green Infrastructure?

Green infrastructure is any natural processes used on a property to manage water and create healthier environments.

Why Choosing Green Infrastructure Will Save You Money

The City of Milwaukee has a Stormwater Management Charge that was put into effect in 2013 and is set to last until 2023. The point of this charge is “to offset the costs needed to manage and reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff entering Milwaukee’s storm sewers and waterways.” Milwaukee, along with many other local governments all over Wisconsin, charge developers stormwater impact fees due to water runoff which can overwhelm sewer systems and cause other local problems.

However, commercial property owners can obtain quarterly credit, meaning they don’t pay as much, by going green and reducing the amount of runoff. Here’s the main point you need to know as a business owner:

Any non-residential property owner may receive credit by voluntarily investing in green infrastructure on their property. The city will then calculate the credit based on total gallons of stormwater managed.

Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works suggested four main strategies for developing green infrastructure: having a green roof, porous paving, bioswale, or a wet detention pond. Not all business have the space or funds to build ponds or a green roof. However, most business have parking lots that could be installed using porous asphalt.

Interested in more information about getting started with green infrastructure? 

• You can learn more from the City Of Milwaukee Stormwater Management Charge Green Infrastructure Credit Calculation Worksheet here 
• Request a free porous paving estimate for your parking lot project 

The Benefits of Choosing Green Infrastructure for Parking Lots

As a business owner, there are many benefits to choosing green asphalt for your next project. Green infrastructure can:

• Improve quality of waterways
• Reduce surface flooding
• Reduce basement backups and sewer overflows
• Provide you with a tax break

Porous Paving Offers Cost Savings for Your Business

Porous asphalt has been recommended by many local municipalities as a way to achieve green infrastructure. But what makes porous asphalt unique?

Porous asphalt contains less finely crushed filler, which creates narrow pathways for rainfall and snowmelt. This allows water to drain through the asphalt and into the stone bed below, which is designed to make sure the water level under the ground never rises back up into the asphalt. From there, the water works itself into the soil where it’s purified the way nature intended. Thereby earning you credit towards your stormwater impact fees.

How Does Porous Paving Asphalt Improve Safety?

In addition to providing cost savings and environmental benefits, green asphalt can also improve safety by improving water runoff management.

A fast-draining parking lot surface means you run less of a risk of hydroplaning in your car or bike. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between tires and the pavement surface, causing a loss of traction. Porous paving can prevent a simple slip and fall or even a car crash from happening on your property.
  

Porous Asphalt Is Easy to Install and Can Boost Property Value

You may be wondering if choosing porous asphalt has any effect on the installation process. As experts in porous paving installation, our team at Wolf Paving can confirm that installation doesn’t require additional equipment or specialized skill. Nor does it need any special ingredients to be manufactured at our asphalt plants. It’s as easily made and installed as a standard asphalt pavement. Basically, if you were getting an asphalt driveway or parking lot anyway, you could upgrade to porous asphalt and have it look the same without losing extra time for the installation.

With the potential grant money and tax breaks associated with choosing green infrastructure solutions, you may also see costs savings by choosing porous.

As if that wasn’t enough, porous asphalt can last up to twenty years before it starts showing cracks or potholes. Which means you now have a beautiful, functional, environmentally friendly tax break which may last you more than two decades. Even if for some reason down the line you decide to leave your property, the porous asphalt will still benefit you. 

A 2013 study conducted by UW-Milwaukee has shown that green infrastructure boosts property value. Moreover, the value of properties went up considerably the more prone to flooding an area was.

Find out if porous asphalt is right for your business by requesting a free paving estimate now 

In closing, here are four simple reasons why you should choose to go green with your parking lot:

• It saves money
• It’s environmentally friendly
• It’s durable
• It’s no additional hassle

Your business reflects you. It’s a lot of work and there are a lot of details to consider. By choosing porous asphalt you get a mile of benefits for every inch you pave. Ask your state legislator about further tax breaks offered by going green.

The post How To Save Your Business Money By Adding Green Infrastructure appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

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May 13, 2017 at 02:11PM

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 12, 2017

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May 12, 2017 at 02:11AM

A CALL FOR QUALITY TO BE INCLUDED IN MANIFESTO PLEDGES

A CALL FOR QUALITY TO BE INCLUDED

IN MANIFESTO PLEDGES

By Martin Townsend, Director of Sustainability at BRE Global

When Prime Minister Theresa May called for a snap General Election last month she made it clear that Brexit – and in particular her attempt to strengthen her hand ahead of potentially UK prosperity-defining trade negotiations with the European Union – was central to her decision. Brexit has dominated the early pre-election political exchanges and with less than five weeks to go until the electorate heads to the polls, we expect the issue to remain at the very top of the agenda for all the main parties. As such, we feel that housing and construction, as high-value commodities and significant contributors to UK export figures, should be given due consideration by all the main parties in their election manifestos. Furthermore, the debate should be extended beyond mere number-based targets to factor in wider issues such as quality and the sector’s post-Brexit significance.

The UK construction industry is currently seen as being at the leading edge of sustainable design and construction, as exemplified by the major roles played by UK companies in the success of a broad range of high-performance projects in both the UK and abroad.

As a result, the UK’s sustainable design and construction capabilities – including its knowledge and expertise as well as its focus on innovation, driven by standards such as BREEAM – have become significant contributors to UK exports.

Given that the campaign manifestos currently being finalised will span a period when UK prosperity will be heavily dependent on our position to negotiate favourable trade deals with Europe, ensuring we protect and nurture these assets is essential.

This requires active debate and investment on a level much deeper than just numbers – both in terms of targets and budgets.

By way of example, the Labour Party has recently pledged to build one million new homes during the next five years. All well and good, but there has been no commitment given to the quality of these homes and the viability of delivering quality homes and communities.

If we are not to create any “dead weight” (cost) to the treasury for UK PLC, one area that the political parties could give some thought to is evolving existing mechanisms to be more effective to new challenges. With increasing demands placed on Planning Authorities, and reduced funding to be as much of a mantra post-election as it is pre-election, it is essential that the parties give local authorities space and capacity to look at development and the wider context of what we need to achieve at a neighbourhood/community scale.

This should be focused on seeking positive improvements in the quality of the built, natural and historic environment, as well as in people’s quality of life:

• Making it easier for jobs to be created in cities, towns and villages;
• Moving from a net loss of bio-diversity to achieving net gains for nature;
• Replacing poor design with better design;
• Improving the conditions in which people live, work, travel and take leisure; and
• Widening the choice of high quality homes;

I therefore hope that the parties, as they look to an agenda of growth, ensure this wider perspective is taken. We have already heard much talk about the police and the NHS, but to ensure that we don’t put the pressure on these important services in time of crisis, we need to build better communities to reduce crime and promote healthier living.

With all the necessary elements already in place, there is just the need to take the long-term view on the viability of development – the avowed purpose of the planning system but sometimes only looked at as the viability of the individual site and not the wider community. I would therefore hope that the parties look to recast how we consider development.

A number of keen eyed readers will perhaps already noticed increased amount of column inches given to land value capture as a concept. But one thing is for sure we need to:

• Take a long-term view, to ensure that issues such as inter-generational equity or climate change mitigation and adaptation are taken adequately into account
• Address the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development “jointly and simultaneously”
• Consider the likely success of any proposal in achieving positive improvements in the quality of the built, natural and historic environment, as well as in people’s quality of life

I hope the debate on quality as a base to demonstrate what the UK can achieve and to drive the quality of our buildings and communities is one that will not get passed by in the various manifestos that will land on our desk in the coming days.

To make BREXIT work, we need to show what we can achieve and make the UK a success. Quality is a key to much that we need to achieve to drive this success.

The post A CALL FOR QUALITY TO BE INCLUDED IN MANIFESTO PLEDGES appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Sellafield seeks four firms for £4.5bn spend

Manchester’s Harbur Construction goes under

New home registrations soar to 10-year high

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May 03, 2017 at 09:41PM

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May 03, 2017 at 09:56AM

A BACK-OFFICE TAKE ON THE CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL’S ‘MODERNISE OR DIE’ RECOMMENDATIONS

The 2016 Farmer Review, or ‘Modernise or Die’ report, by the Construction Leadership Council provided much food for thought in terms of adapting and reorganising traditional onsite business processes in order for firms to remain viable in future. What the report doesn’t consider so explicitly however, are the numerous efficiencies to be gained by adapting processes in the back-office, writes Matthew Jones, CEO at Open ECX.

The Review suggests that ‘business as usual’ is not an option while the industry faces an uncertain post-Brexit future. Instead, rigorous thinking and planning, moving to more efficient ways of working on site, and employing the right quality and quantity of skill are important.

As such, the Farmer Review highlights ways to be more effective in the built environment, for example through use of pre-manufacture. Finding ways to streamline processes for improved efficiency; to better manage and communicate matters; to budget in a smarter way; and to handle subcontractor relationships more effectively are also key to reducing workload, ensuring a more healthy cash flow and improving supply chain effectiveness.

So it’s not just onsite activity that needs to change. By moving away from traditional, often administratively time-consuming methods in the back-office, forward-thinking construction firms are adopting modern technologies to streamline their entire business, making the lives of those who run them considerably easier.

For instance, the receiving and sending of paper documents, while still prevalent in some UK Construction firms, is fast becoming less popular particularly across Europe as modern businesses strive to shift to construction e-Invoicing; a paperless construction supply chain with automated workflows.

Similarly, contractors looking to strengthen subcontractor relationships and avoid unnecessary payment disputes are looking to new solutions to allow them to more easily track and manage subcontractor applications.

Many construction firms are discovering that using the right software tools in the back-office can dramatically improve existing low margins and save time. For example there are lots of companies that are no longer creating error-prone estimates or managing expenses through traditional manipulation of spreadsheets but instead are using tailored industry-specific software to improve the speed, control and accuracy of these every day processes.

Cloud-based construction ERP solutions are also becoming more popular to enhance a business’ control and real-time reporting ability right across operational, commercial and finance departments. Even chasing late payments can be more quickly managed and in greater volumes by using dedicated credit control software solutions.

The post A BACK-OFFICE TAKE ON THE CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL’S ‘MODERNISE OR DIE’ RECOMMENDATIONS appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Porous Asphalt Paving - Cost and Environmental Benefits

Porous asphalt pavement can be a valuable tool for business developers, municipalities and even homeowners who are interested in storm water management. Porous asphalt pavement is an environmentally-conscious and sustainable paving solution that can offer significant long-term cost efficiency.

Photo Credit: NAPA - HotMix.org

How Does Porous Asphalt Pavement Work?

Porous asphalt allows water to drain through the asphalt and into the stone bed below. It then works its way into the soil as nature intended. If toxins are on the surface, they get swept along with the rainfall through the stone bed. From there, they travel into the sub-base so that they are subjected to the natural processes that cleanse water. The size and depth of the stone bed must be designed so that the water level never rises into the asphalt.

How Long Does Porous Asphalt Last?

Porous asphalt pavement can last up to twenty years before showing cracks or potholes. It is a very durable product and it retains the ability to handle rainwater for many years. Porous asphalt has been used successfully in parking lots, walkways, playgrounds and high-volume highways that carry heavy trucks.

Porous asphalt tends to be a little coarser than your standard asphalt but is still smooth enough to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and is still an attractive option to consider during the development process.

Porous Asphalt Can Save You Money 

Along with the environmental benefits that porous asphalt brings, there are also cost benefits associated with this paving process. Some local governments charge developers storm-water impact fees when water run-off from parking lots overwhelms the storm sewer system. Because porous asphalt helps reduce demands on the storm sewers, these impact fees can be eliminated.

Porous asphalt will also save you money because it eliminates the need to put in a storm-water management solution such as a retention pond. The land that is normally slated for the retention pond can be developed and used as a profitable asset that adds value to the property.

Another advantage of asphalt paving is that asphalt does not require proprietary ingredients to be manufactured. Most asphalt plants can easily prepare the mix and since installing it doesn't require additioal paving equipment or specialized paving skills, general paving contractors can install it as they would other paving projects.

If you're considering repaving your parking lot or developing a plan to make the most of your development property, consider porous asphalt. Let the paving professionals at Wolf Paving help you discover the cost and environmental benefits that asphalt paving can offer.

Wolf Paving, an asphalt manufacturer and asphalt paving contractor has been proudly serving the greater Milwaukee and Madison area since 1941.

 

The post Porous Asphalt Paving - Cost and Environmental Benefits appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

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May 02, 2017 at 11:47AM

London Mayor pulls plug on Garden Bridge