Building Briefs – August 31st

Upgrade work planned for ACHA properties on Islay

Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has appointed a contractor to carry out £1.5 million worth of roof and roughcast improvements to its properties on Islay.

Helensburgh-based Stewart & Shields successfully tendered for the contract to upgrade 53 ACHA properties mainly with external wall insulation, although some will receive an upgraded roof as well.

Properties identified to receive this work are located in areas throughout the island including Ballygrant, Bridgend, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Port Charlotte and Port Ellen.

Public to consult on £25m North Ayrshire school proposals

Plans to build a new £25 million Additional Support Needs School in Stevenston will go before the public in September.

North Ayrshire Council is proposing to build the new facility adjacent to Auchenharvie Academy. If approved, the development will see the closure and amalgamation of Haysholm School, James McFarlane School, James Reid School and Stanecastle School.

A new Early Years provision is being proposed at Annick Primary School to replace the current provision at Stanecastle School.

A strategic review of education in the region found a clear need to improve educational facilities for the area’s most vulnerable children and young people.

Councillors agreed to start the Statutory Public Consultation on the proposed development from September 12 and conclude on November 4.

Edinburgh bridge maintenance work

A programme of maintenance and inspection work on one of Edinburgh’s most historic bridges got under way last night.

Recent routine inspections of the Grade A-listed North Bridge, which was built between 1894 and 1897, found that some sections of the decorative facade panels are in poor condition.

The City of Edinburgh Council has therefore engaged a specialist contractor to undertake remedial works and further, more detailed inspections.

Work to wrap the decorative facade of the south span of North Bridge is due to commence overnight tonight, lasting approximately three weeks.

A netting system will also be fitted to the underside of the bridge, which will enable access for ongoing engineering inspections.

It is expected that during the course of the project, both lanes under the bridge will required to be closed to traffic for certain periods to allow installation of the netting system. Information on any diversionary routes will be communicated as soon as traffic management plans are finalised.

As a precautionary measure and in preparation for undertaking remedial works, the taxi rank on East Market Street has been relocated further along the street.

The council is working closely with Network Rail in regards to access on or near to railway property while our contractor is finalising designs and developing safe methods of work for the installation of netting.

Bam Nuttall to begin North Lanarkshire bridge replacement project

Bam Nuttall is to begin a bridge replacement project over a railway in North Lanarkshire.

The contractor will demolish and rebuild the structure at Station Road in Shotts ahead of the Scottish Government’s electrification of the line by March 2019.

The 11-month scheme involves diverting and reinstating various utilities which run over the bridge, which is essential to maintaining the supply of water, electricity, gas and broadband to the village.

Work involve removing the existing bridge deck and building a new bridge deck with more height clearance between the rails and bridge for the overhead line electrification cables to run safely underneath.

A community drop-in session is being held on Wednesday, 07 September for local residents to find out more information about the project.

The exhibition will take place between 4pm – 7pm in the Station Hotel.

Plans to revamp Pets’ Corner in Aberdeen

The popular Pets’ Corner in Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Park is to undergo a £750,000 renovation and expansion which includes a new larger area for the fish and reptiles and an education room.

The work at the Aberdeen City Council-run facility includes replacement of the roof over both parts of the buildings, internal alterations and refurbishment, the installation of new fish and reptile tanks, new external access ramp and paths, and an upgrade to the staff facilities.

Funding for the upgrade and refurbishment, which is expected to start in the 2016/17 financial year, was approved by the council last week.

A notice for the works is on Public Contracts Scotland website.

Work begins on £80,000 North Ayrshire road maintenance project

Work has begun on a £80,000 landscaping and resurfacing project in North Ayrshire.

Scotland TranServ will carry out the scheme between 8pm – 6am on the A737 at Dalgarven.

For safety reasons, the road will be closed in both directions between Townend Street, Dalry at its junction with the B780 Roche Way, and Dalry Road, Kilwinning at its junction with A737 Howgate and A738 Byres Road.

New administration at North Ayrshire Council

A new administration has been formed to assume control of North Ayrshire Council after the previous administration indicated its intention to step down.

Yesterday’s full council meeting saw Joe Cullinane elected as leader of the council and John Bell as depute leader. In addition, Ian Clarkson is the new Provost while Councillor Robert Barr continues as depute Provost.

The Cabinet Portfolio holders are:

Weightmans continues to build in Glasgow with new property Partner

National law firm Weightmans LLP has appointed Cassandra Auld as Partner in the Real Estate team in Glasgow.

Formerly a Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons where she managed a team of five, Cassy has a wealth of experience in commercial property transactions, working for both public and private sector clients across a number of sectors, with a particular interest in hotels, retail and leisure and healthcare industries.

BAM helps Shape future leaders

Twelve trainees from BAM Construction in Scotland proved they are made of tough stuff after enduring a week at the Outward Bound Trust’s Centre at Eskdale in the Lake District.

The group had to plan and take turns at leading the team through a series of challenging situations including raft building, orienteering, building a rope crossing over a gorge (and using it), navigating kayaks up a river and a two day wild camping expedition as part of a new Management Development Programme.

This is the first time BAM has worked with the educational charity and together they developed a customised programme focused around understanding and developing leadership styles, team building, relationship management skills and developing the confidence to deal with new and unstructured situations.

They also took part in classroom based activities which allowed them to reflect on their skills and what they learned throughout the week. The Outward Bound tutor and accompanying BAM directors, who took part in all activities, were on hand to give feedback on their progress.

Assistant site managers Scott Murphy and Laura Wilson said they learned a lot from the course.