Rolls-Royce Starts Construction of Battery Energy Storage Facility in Falkirk
Rolls‑Royce has begun building an 86 MWh, 43 MW battery energy storage system at the Bankside site in Falkirk, Scotland, under an EPC contract with Voltaria Helios Energy Storage. The facility is slated for grid connection later this year and full commercial operation by 2027, marking Rolls‑Royce’s first large‑scale battery project in the UK. A 15‑year full‑wrap service agreement ensures long‑term maintenance. The project aligns with the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which targets 27 GW of battery storage by the end of the decade.
Balfour Beatty Joins High Speed Rail Group to Bolster Industry Expertise
Balfour Beatty, one of the UK’s largest infrastructure contractors, has joined the High Speed Rail Group (HSRG), bringing its extensive HS2 experience to the coalition. The firm’s joint venture with Vinci (BBV) is responsible for 90 km of West Midlands works...
Tameside Invites Bids to Join £54M Highways Maintenance Framework
Tameside Council has launched a £54 million (£≈69 million USD) highways maintenance framework tender, inviting innovative contractors to deliver work across eight specialised lots. The framework, which will serve Tameside and 11 Greater Manchester councils plus several associate authorities, is valued at...
Scotland Won’t Pursue ‘Unproven’ SMRs and ‘Experimental’ Fusion as Focus Remains Renewables
Scotland’s SNP‑led government reaffirmed its ban on new nuclear projects, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and experimental fusion, emphasizing that these technologies remain unproven. Climate cabinet secretary Gillian Martin highlighted the urgent need for deployable renewable solutions, citing wind and...
Plan Tabled to Introduce New Life Cycle Costing Code of Practice for Buildings and Assets
A roundtable in London convened about 30 design, construction, facilities‑management and digital‑platform professionals to discuss the proposed British Standard BS 8544, a new life‑cycle costing code of practice for buildings and infrastructure. The draft updates the 2013 version, adding operation and...
Watch: Timelapse of £20M Stockport Roundabout Rail Overbridge Replacement Completion
The Greek Street bridge in Stockport has reopened after a year‑long, £20 million (≈$25 million) reconstruction that replaced a 67‑year‑old structure spanning the West Coast Main Line. Network Rail and contractor Murphy completed the new four‑way roundabout during a 21‑day rail closure...
Unlocking the True Potential of Carbon Capture Means Diversifying the UK’s Approach
The UK government has pledged at least £22bn (≈$28bn) to fund eight large‑scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, most of which rely on conventional amine‑based technology and are slated for commissioning around 2029. Critics warn that the long lead...
Interview: WSP and Motts on Setting the ‘Blueprint’ for Consenting New Nuclear with Wylfa SMRs
WSP and Mott MacDonald have been hired by Great British Energy‑Nuclear to steer the planning consent for three Rolls‑Royce small modular reactors at Wales' historic Wylfa site. The project will be the first nuclear development to navigate the UK’s new Planning...
Wiltshire Appoints Contractor to £31M Project to Improve M4 Junction 17
Wiltshire Council has appointed MJ Church to lead the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase of the M4 Junction 17 upgrade, a £27 million (£35 million) contract that will shape a full £31 million (~$40 million) scheme. The project will signalise the roundabout, widen all approach carriageways...
Mayor Condemns Government’s Major Road Decisions as ‘Retrograde’ and ‘Baffling’
Mayor Paul Bristow denounced the Department for Transport’s draft order to revoke the Development Consent Order for the A47 dualling scheme between Wansford and Sutton, a £100 million (≈ $125 million) project aimed at safety, congestion relief and regional growth. He also criticised...
MPs Demand Revival of Croydon Rail Overhaul Due to ‘Fundamental’ Link with Gatwick Expansion
South East MPs are urging the government to revive the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS), a £2.9 bn (≈$3.7 bn) Network Rail project paused in the 2021 spending review. The scheme would reconfigure tracks and expand East Croydon station to eight platforms, creating...
‘A Win-Win’: Affinity Water Discusses Interventions Along Its Grand Union Canal Transfer Scheme
The Grand Union Canal Transfer (GUCT) scheme is a joint venture between Affinity Water, Severn Trent Water and the Canal & River Trust to move up to 115 million litres of water per day from the Midlands to the southeast of...
Business Case Submitted for South Wales Relief Line Upgrade
Network Rail has lodged a full business case with the Department for Transport to upgrade the 43 km South Wales relief lines between Cardiff Central and Severn Tunnel Junction. The proposal would raise line speeds from 64 km/h to up to 160 km/h,...
Utilities Under Pressure: Delivering Resilience that Holds Up
Regulators are tightening operational‑resilience requirements for utilities and energy‑trading firms after ransomware attacks affected two‑thirds of the sector in 2024, with average recovery costs near $3 million. The UK’s Ofgem and Europe’s DORA now demand demonstrable, evidence‑based resilience rather than theoretical...
Stonehenge Tunnel DCO Officially Revoked as It ‘No Longer Aligns with Strategic Policy Objectives’
The UK transport secretary has formally revoked the Development Consent Order for the Stonehenge Tunnel, a 3.3km underground road project beneath the World Heritage site. The decision cites a lack of secured funding, a shift in national transport policy, and...
Bids Open for £18M London Gateway Port’s Second Rail Expansion
DP World has opened a tender for the £18 million Phase 2 expansion of the London Gateway rail terminal. The project will install an 850 m reinforced concrete crane rail beam, five new sidings and 21 switches to integrate the terminal with the...
Growth-Targeted London Infrastructure Framework Comprises 51 ‘Priority Projects’
The Mayor of London and London Councils have launched the London Infrastructure Framework, a long‑term plan that identifies 51 priority projects across transport, energy, water, waste and digital connectivity. The framework, technically developed by Mott MacDonald, targets growth‑driven infrastructure such as...
Millions Shut Out of Travel as Inaccessible Stations Undermine UK Transport, Engineers Warn
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers warns that outdated stations are excluding millions from Britain’s public transport, despite new trains rolling out. Its report highlights that around 40% of railway stations lack tactile paving and many lack step‑free access, lifts, or...
OS Urges ‘Clear, Forward-Looking Understanding’ of Flood Risk to Roads and Railways Following New Analysis
Ordnance Survey’s new analysis shows climate‑related flooding threatens 12% of England’s roads and 20% of its rail network. The study identifies 587 km of motorways – notably the A38, M45, M32 and A58 – within the highest‑risk flood zones, and flags...
Government Has Spent £377M in 9 Months to Keep Scunthorpe Steel Furnaces Open
The UK Department for Business and Trade has injected £377 million in loans to keep British Steel’s two Scunthorpe blast furnaces operating since April 2025. The funding covers operating costs, raw materials, payroll and external advisers, costing roughly £1.3 million per day while...
Regenerating Stevenage: What Can New New Towns Learn From the Evolution of the Original?
Stevenage Borough Council, in partnership with developer Mace, is executing the SG1 regeneration programme to deliver 1,800 new homes and mixed‑use spaces in the town centre. The plan replaces surface car parks with multi‑storey facilities, expands residential capacity, and introduces...
Hinkley Point C | TBM Readied for 620m Long Fish Return Tunnel
Engineers at Hinkley Point C have begun tunnelling a 620‑metre, 1.8‑metre‑diameter fish return tunnel using a TBM dubbed Sarah Guppy. The tunnel is one of three fish‑protection systems – alongside low‑velocity intake heads and an ultrasound acoustic deterrent – that together cost...
Main Works Start on £100M Shipley TrainCare Centre for Transpennine Route Upgrade
Construction has begun on a £100 million TrainCare Centre in Shipley, designed to house Northern’s electric fleet for the Airedale and Wharfedale lines during the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The brownfield site will serve as a temporary hub while access to the...
1950s Yorkshire Aluminium Bascule Bridge Set for Off-Site Refurbishment to Remedy Corrosion
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has commissioned a £1 million off‑site refurbishment of the 73‑year‑old Weel Bridge, a rare aluminium bascule structure spanning the River Hull. Inspectors found corrosion, deteriorated parapets and aging mechanical and electrical systems, prompting the decision to...
VolkerFitzpatrick to Deliver New Bridge and Road Widening for Didcot Infrastructure Upgrade
Oxfordshire County Council has appointed VolkerFitzpatrick to build the Didcot Science Bridge and dualling of the A4130 east of the A34 Milton Interchange, a key component of a £332 million Highways England Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) programme. The contract includes constructing a...
Early Work Begins on Lower Thames Crossing in Preparation for Tunnelling in 2028
Pre‑construction activity for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has begun, with archaeologists, ecologists and engineers preparing sites in Essex and Kent ahead of the 2028 tunnel drive. About 1,000 ha of new wetland and scrub habitat will be established to support...
Arup Appointed to Provide Early Phase Engineering and Designs of Wylfa SMRs
Arup has been selected to deliver early‑phase foundation engineering and design support for the Wylfa small modular reactor (SMR) project on Anglesey, the UK’s first SMR site. The scheme, led by Great British Energy – Nuclear, targets up to 1.5 GW...
TBM Launched on National Grid’s 2.2km Power Tunnel Under the Thames
National Grid’s Grain to Tilbury project has launched a 271.5‑ton tunnel boring machine, named Caroline, to excavate a 2.2 km, 4‑metre‑diameter power tunnel beneath the River Thames. The TBM employs a “flying launch” technique, with an initial excavation rate of 0.9 m...
Wales Urged to Overhaul Transport Network with Third Menai Bridge and Rail Reopenings
Centre Think Tank’s report calls for a sweeping overhaul of Wales’s transport network, highlighting the need for a £400 million third Menai Strait crossing, rail line reopenings and electrification, and relief road upgrades. It urges devolving rail infrastructure and bus policy...
UK Government Removes Offshore Wind Energy Tariffs to Help Manufacturers Save Millions
The UK government will waive import duties on 33 wind‑farm components from 1 April, using an “authorised use” customs measure that eliminates tariffs on items such as cables, blades and rotors. Officials say the relief will save manufacturers millions of pounds...
‘Real Buzz in the Sector’: Roads Minister Discusses RIS3 as A47 Thickthorn Junction Progresses
The UK government’s RIS3 strategy, backed by a £4.8 bn interim settlement, will launch in 2026 and shifts focus toward maintenance and renewal of England’s Strategic Road Network. Roads Minister Simon Lightwood, speaking at the £200 m A47 Thickthorn Junction upgrade, said...
National Highways Completes Restoration Work on 19th Century Riddings Viaduct
National Highways finished a major restoration of the 19th‑century Riddings Viaduct in November 2025, partnering with Balfour Beatty and its Historical Railways Estate team. The nine‑span skewed masonry arch, straddling the England‑Scotland border, received rebuilt stonework, repointed masonry, and restored railings...
Hydrogen Used to Decarbonise Asphalt Production in UK First
Heidelberg Materials UK completed a pilot at its Criggion plant using hydrogen to heat asphalt production, generating over 1,300 tonnes of asphalt without quality loss. The trial cut direct (Scope 1) emissions by 76 % and lowered the overall carbon footprint by 23%,...
Northern Powerhouse Rail: Watchdog Queries Governance, Delivery, Growth Strategy Alignment
The National Audit Office released a report on the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme, warning that its governance and alignment with the newly‑announced Northern Growth Strategy are inadequate. The DfT’s £45 billion funding cap forces tough trade‑offs, such as the choice between...
Sector Warns of ‘All Bark and No Bite’ in Draft Revision to National Planning Policy Framework
The government’s draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation closes on 10 March 2026, promising reforms to accelerate delivery of 1.5 million homes and unlock an additional 300,000 dwellings. Proposed changes include automatic approvals near rail stations, a new medium‑site category, and streamlined...
Works Starts on Business Case for Mass Rapid Transit in Greater Cambridge
The Cambridge Growth Company and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority have commissioned a Strategic Outline Business Case to assess a mass rapid transit (MRT) system for Greater Cambridge. Central government departments are funding the study, which WSP will execute,...
Mott MacDonald to Lead Windermere Station Upgrade as Part of Wider Gateway Vision
Mott MacDonald has been hired by Westmorland and Furness Council to create a concept masterplan for an upgraded Windermere railway station. The design will deliver a heritage‑sensitive, high‑quality transport hub that improves pedestrian, cycling, taxi and bus connections. The station...
16-Day Programme to Renew 1868 Rail Bridge over River Plym Completed
Network Rail completed a 16‑day programme to strengthen the 1868 River Plym bridge, allowing trains between Plymouth and Totnes to resume. The upgrade installed 134 new steel rail bearers, refurbished deck girders and laid 180 m of new rail, while replacing timber...
Data Centres Should Provide Flexibility Services to the Grid
Data centres are poised to become active flexibility assets for the UK grid as AI-driven demand grows. Research shows that if new data centres operate flexibly just 1 % of the time, they can be integrated without additional power plants, reducing...
Caerphilly Engages Market on £15M A469 Landslip Repair in Geotechnically Sensitive Area
Caerphilly County Borough Council has begun early market engagement for a £15 million scheme to repair the long‑running landslip on the A469 between New Tredegar and Pontlottyn. The site, reduced to single‑file traffic since Storm Dennis in 2020, sits in a...
Bill Introduced to Ensure UK Geotechnical Data Is Available to Engineers to Save Billions
Labour backbencher Mike Reader has tabled the Geotechnical Data Bill, requiring parties that conduct ground investigations to upload factual borehole logs, soil tests and site reports to the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR). The measure builds on NUAR’s existing utility‑mapping...
UK Needs Earlier, Joined-Up Planning to Unlock Land for Data Centres, Aecom Argues
Aecom’s new report warns that the UK’s data‑centre boom will stall unless landowners, planners, utilities and infrastructure providers coordinate far earlier in project pipelines. It identifies grid reinforcement, water capacity and planning consent as recurring bottlenecks that delay "powered land"...
How AI Will Reshape Fees, Teams and Competitive Dynamics
Artificial intelligence is rapidly automating routine engineering tasks that once consumed weeks, forcing consultancies to rethink the traditional billable‑hour model. Mike Rustell outlines three possible fee structures—value‑based pricing, hybrid fixed‑fee/time‑and‑materials, and commoditisation—each reflecting how AI compresses effort while liability remains....
Research Uses Shape Memory Alloy and Fibre-Reinforced Concrete to Strengthen Ageing Bridges
Swiss researchers at Empa have demonstrated a novel bridge‑deck strengthening technique that embeds heat‑activated iron‑based shape memory alloy (Fe‑SMA) bars within an ultra‑high‑performance fibre‑reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) overlay. Laboratory and large‑scale tests on 5 m cantilever slabs showed that the Fe‑SMA/UHPFRC system...
The Value of Circular Steel in Modern Construction
7 Steel UK is scaling a fully domestic, circular steel model that turns the UK’s 8 Mt of annual scrap into low‑carbon billets using an electric arc furnace. By keeping scrap in‑country, the company shortens supply chains, boosts material traceability and cuts embodied...
ICE Introduces Three Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Topics
Following a year‑long consultation, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has made three continuing professional development (CPD) themes mandatory for all professionally qualified members. The required topics—ethical and professional behaviour, safety and risk management, and sustainable development—must be addressed each...
Are We Doing Enough to Design for Low Temperature Heat in Net Zero Buildings?
The UK Climate Change Committee warns that net‑zero building designs often ignore low‑temperature heat distribution, embedding inefficiencies from the earliest stages. Heat pumps perform best at 35‑50 °C, yet many projects still design for legacy 70‑80 °C boiler systems, compromising seasonal COP...