Building Briefs – June 1st

Economic and community development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a new director of energy and low carbon.

Audrey MacIver of Alness in Easter Ross starts in the post today. She succeeds Calum Davidson who retired in November after 31 years with HIE.

Audrey takes over lead responsibility for HIE’s contribution to the growth in the energy and low carbon sector, covering oil and gas (including decommissioning), renewables and the low carbon economy.

A graduate in Agriculture and Economics from the University of Aberdeen, Audrey’s career has focused on economic and community development in the Highlands and Islands. Since joining HIE in 1993, she has held posts in economics, community development, and tourism, but for almost a decade now has concentrated on energy.

Queensferry Crossing digital archive launched

A new digital archive has been launched providing facts, figures and video footage explaining how the £1.35 billion Queensferry Crossing was built.

The Queensferry Crossing Arc contains a host of features for users such as:

The site also becomes the new home for the Frame the Bridge digital mosaic, comprised of selfies being submitted by the public since 2015.

To visit the Queensferry Crossing Arc website, visit here.

Neil Dely appointed Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering at University of Glasgow

Neil Dely, Partner in multidisciplinary engineer Cundall’s Edinburgh office, has been appointed Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow.

The granting of Honorary Professorship status is a reflection of Neil’s long commitment to academia, ensuring engineering students receive appropriate learning, skills and training to the benefit of both their future career prospects and industry itself.

Over the last 20 years, Neil has delivered lectures, conducted seminars and tutored students on project work for the Edinburgh College of Art, the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde and University of Glasgow. Neil is also Industrial co-chair of the Civil Engineering Sub Group of the University of Glasgow’s Industrial Advisory Board.

Neil is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and an Approved Certifier of Design (SER Scheme). He joined Cundall in early 2014 as a partner with responsibility for civil and structural engineering in Scotland and with a national and international remit to grow and develop structural engineering in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Restaurant plans for Peterhead golf shop

A Peterhead golf shop could be turned into a restaurant if newly submitted plans are approved.

Proposals have been lodged with Aberdeenshire Council regarding the Berryhill Driving Range at Blackhills.

Permission is being sought to convert the existing golf shop into a cafe/restaurant and to extend the shop area to create space for seating and tables.

Work to start on next phase of Bathgate regeneration project

Work is to start on the next phase of a regeneration project in Bathgate.

The George Street area of the town is being transformed to improve the pedestrian precinct and work is scheduled to begin on Monday, 05 June.

The 24-week scheme will see the installation of high quality granite paving for the entire precinct area.

Paving improvements to the Steelyard and St David’s Square areas were completed in 2011. These further works will see the remaining areas between St David’s Square and Steelyard improved, from St David’s Square to the top of the precinct.

£350,000 is being invested as part of a joint programme between West Lothian Council and town centre Business Improvement District (BID) company Enterprising Bathgate.

Farrans continues water mains diversion work in Midlothian

Farrans Construction is continuing work on a water mains diversion project in Penicuik, Midlothian.

The project will support the construction of the Mauricewood Road Roundabout on the A702.

Features include diverting two Talla mains which supply Glencorse Water Treatment works and provide drinking water to Edinburgh and parts of Midlothian.

To carry out the project, Mauricewood Road will be closed at the junction of Bellwood Road and Biggar Road for eight weeks from 05 June.

Work on M8 safety barrier project complete

Work on a £350,000 M8 safety barrier improvement project is now complete.

The scheme to replace 2km of motorway barrier on the route, which was originally meant to last eight weeks, has finished three weeks ahead of schedule.