Building Briefs – October 30th

• Replacement River Don footbridge opens

The bridge in Dyce, which crosses the Farburn, completes a 4km continuous section of an all-abilities path and also links into a long-distance route into Aberdeenshire, via the old railway line route The Formartine and Buchan Way which is part of the National Cycle Network.

The project builds on other path works along the River Don corridor, which have been implemented by both Aberdeen City Council and private developers to improve access for all, including the Stoneywood woodland path and the path and underpass improvements at the A947 road at Dyce.

The bridge is suitable for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users and is 14metres long to span the burn below and create a level gradient route.

The new structure will also provide health and environmental benefits by encouraging people to walk and cycle along the peaceful river setting rather than using their cars.

Work, which was carried out by CR Contracting North Ltd, started last month and this time of year was chosen for the construction in order to avoid the bird nesting season. The bridge is made of attractive hardwood timber decking and rails to be in keeping with the natural surroundings, and the path adjoining the bridge has a 3m wide sealed surface.

The project is being funded by Transport Scotland though the Places for Everyone (formally Community Links) programme which is delivered by walking and cycling charity Sustrans. The programme supports projects which make towns and cities friendlier and safer places for people to walk and cycle.

• Funding for Melrose museum revamp

A specialist Roman history museum in the borders town of Melrose is to be expanded and refurbished so that it can display more exhibits.

The investment in the Trimontium Museum – which is receiving a £394,902 grant – is expected to lead to a large increase in tourism to Melrose.

The Trimontium Trust has been awarded the grant from the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP) to help towards a refurbishment project with a total cost of over £1.25 million.

The funding will be used to develop a learning programme which will enable visitors to contribute to archaeological research.

• Premier Inn announces plans for Pitlochry hotel

Hotel chain Premier Inn has revealed plans for a 105-bedroom hotel in Pitlochry.

Land west of the town’s Bridge Road, across from the recycling centre, has been earmarked for the development.

Two public consultations will be held next month giving residents and business owners the chance to query developers about the project.

• Two Fife Council apprentices win awards at APSE UK Housing & Building Apprentice Awards

Fife Council apprentices Calum Love and Ashley Duffy have picked up prestigious awards at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) UK Housing & Building Apprentice Awards.

Calum Love from building services was crowned the UK Apprentice of the Year in Building Skills and Ashley Duffy, a housing professional trainee, was awarded the UK Apprentice of the Year in Professional Services.

The recognition didn’t stop there though with another two apprentices from building services being recognised as UK finalists – Grant MacGregor, in the mechanical & electrical category and Amy Gordon in professional skills.

The annual APSE Apprentice Awards recognise services that are delivered to local communities, by local councils. Fife’s apprentices beat competition from other entrants all over the UK, to be recognised for their outstanding efforts.

• Stirling Council’s housing service wins at UK Solar and Storage Awards

Stirling Council’s housing service has won the Best Residential Solar and Storage Project award at the annual UK Solar and Storage Awards 2019 in Birmingham, beating a shortlist of four entries.

The award recognises the significant impact the council’s investment in renewable technology for its social housing stock over the past seven years has had on improving energy efficiency, reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

To date, more than 37,000 panels have been installed on more than 3,900 council housing properties, generating an estimated 9,700,000kWh of free renewable electricity every year.

This also has the added benefit of preventing the emission of 6,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

In addition to reducing the energy costs for tenants, the council’s investment to date has resulted in 49% of the council housing stock already meeting the new challenging minimum energy efficiency standards for social landlords in Scotland 13 years ahead of schedule.

• Tenants move into new council homes in Kilmarnock

The site of the former Bellfield Primary School in Kilmarnock is once again thriving at the heart of the community with two phases of new council housing having been completed and tenants now moving into their new homes.

Works commenced at Tinto Avenue, Bellfield in September 2018, with East Ayrshire Council’s strategic partner CCG (Scotland) Ltd constructing 67 high quality, energy-efficient homes across a range of sizes and types.

Thirty homes have been completed so far and these include a mix of 2 and 3 bed general needs homes, along with bungalows for older and ambulant disabled residents as well as wheelchair accessible bungalows.

A further 37 properties are still under construction with a completion date scheduled for the end of the year.

All the homes, which are being procured through the Scottish Procurement Alliance, will meet Housing for Varying Needs and Secure by Design standards and will secure Silver Standard accreditation.