Building Briefs – February 4th

• CALA Homes (West) unwraps its largest home in West of Scotland to date

Located at Riverside at Bothwell the Waterston showhome, which spans 3,800 sqft, finally opened its doors showcasing never seen before elevations and cutting edge interior design.

The new specification and bespoke architectural approach is part of a collection of 12 detached homes.

• Travis Perkins certified as Top Employer for 10th year

Building materials supplier Travis Perkins has been recognised as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute.

This marks the firm’s 10th year of recognition following a comprehensive and detailed assessment including a robust evaluation according to a number of criteria and people practices which were independently verified.

The Top Employer Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices, and identifies organisations that demonstrate excellence in HR and employee conditions. Established more than 25 years ago, the Institute has certified over 1,300 organisations in 115 countries.

• Major repairs on East Dunbartonshire canal bridge

Major repairs are due to be carried out in East Dunbartonshire to help reopen the Forth and Clyde Canal again to barges and boats.

Scottish Canals is carrying out extensive refurbishment works on the ‘lift bridge’ over the canal at Main Street, Twechar.

Repairs will begin today with the bridge expected to be fully open to aquatic traffic again in April.

There is currently no through-route for barges and boats on the Forth and Clyde due to bridge issues at Twechar and Bonnybridge.

Last year Transport Scotland announced £1.625 million in capital grant aid to enable Scottish Canals to fix the bridges and reopen the stretch to boats, and to carry out repairs at Ardrishaig Pier in Argyll and Bute.

It followed calls for action from East Dunbartonshire Council and a recent meeting which involved Scottish Canals, Transport Scotland and neighbouring authorities.

Scottish Canals hopes to test the rejuvenated bridges in Twechar and Bonnybridge in March, with the canal fully open again by April.

• Extra funding approved for Stromeferry bypass rock stabilisation works

An additional £2.185 million for further remedial rock stabilisation works at the A890 Stromeferry bypass has been announced by Highland Council.

The council has also agreed the formation of a Cross Party Options Selection Group to consider the recommendation of the preferred long term solution for a bypass.

The Highland Council undertakes detailed assessments of the slopes every year. The 2018 inspection report identified four very high risk rock slope areas. Two of these require similar stabilisation measures to the works that were completed on a separate section of the rock face in November last year. The other very high risk areas are on separate slopes where specialist fencing measures will be needed.

The agreed extra funding will come from the capital budget with £1.9m allocated in 2019/20 and £800k in 2020/21. The current allocation in 2020/21 is £515k.

The proposal is to undertake stabilisation to two slopes in Autumn 2019 and at the same time undertake the ground investigation works required to design the upslope catch fencing with this work to be scheduled for 2020/21.

Following the decision taken by committee, officers will undertake public consultation with the local communities and road and rail users regarding the nature and detailed timing of the works so any disruption can be kept to a minimum.

• Thomas & Adamson seals curling sponsorship deal

International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson is sweeping into 2019 by partnering with British Curling squad Team Paterson.

The sponsorship deal will support the team in their quest for Olympic Gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, and strengthens T&A’s commitment to curling and supporting Scottish talent.

Zander Muego, partner at Thomas & Adamson, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be able to support Team Paterson, particularly at this exciting time as they train towards the Winter Olympics. Given the years of training it takes to reach Olympic-level status, it’s great to have our name aligned with them at this stage.

“The popularity of curling in recent years has increased significantly, and we hope our sponsorship will enable Team Paterson to continue representing Scotland at the highest international level. To be able to support a team with this level of talent goes hand in hand with our company’s ethos in inspiring, motivating and developing talent, and we wish the team the best of luck and look forward to being a part of their journey.”

Ross Paterson added: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Thomas & Adamson going into this Olympic cycle. We’re very grateful for the support we receive which plays a big part in us pursuing our dreams and playing the sport we love.”

• Penicuik Athletic scores with CALA sponsorship

Penicuik Athletic is tackling its inaugural year as a ‘senior’ club with the help of CALA Homes.

The team has recently been accepted as new members of the East of Scotland League in Tier Six of the Scottish Football Association’s pyramid and is taking on life at the higher level with the backing of CALA Homes after its vital sponsorship deal was renewed.

CALA has sponsored the team for more than nine years and will continue its shirt sponsorship deal following the club’s final year as a ‘junior’ club in which it won the prestigious East of Scotland Cup and finished a record high of third in the league.

The club will use the much needed funds for new strips and training equipment and have high hopes for the season ahead as they compete on all fronts.

CALA has recently been granted planning permission to build 544 homes in Mauricewood to the north of Penicuik, and in turn will work to boost the town’s local economy and improve infrastructure.