Building Briefs – March 24th

High performance, windows, doors and curtain walling designed, manufactured and installed by CMS Window Systems were crucial in delivering a new HQ building for petrochemical manufacturers INEOS.

The new HQ building is a £20 million development designed by Michael Laird Architects at INEOS’ 1,700-acre site in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. Being built adjacent to a chemical plant meant each aspect of the building’s design had to take into account the potential risk associated with a location of this nature.

The steel-frame building on two hectares was built over four floors totalling 6,490m2 by BAM Construction on the site of former industrial buildings.

Major progress on improving A9 Berriedale Braes

Long-awaited improvements to the A9 at Berriedale Braes moved closer today with the publication of Made Orders for this challenging section of the road north of Inverness.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government has been working to progress the much-needed improvements to the A9 at Berriedale Braes.

“The hairpin bend and steep hill at Berriedale Braes has presented drivers, in particular HGVs and other long vehicles with a very challenging road to negotiate.

“Having got the go ahead last December following the Public Local Inquiry, we are now able to publish the Made Orders for the scheme as a clear signal of our commitment to deliver this scheme. Subject to completing the statutory procedures, we expect to start the procurement process for the main construction contract for this project later this year with works planned to start in 2018.

“When completed, the scheme will improve journey time reliability and road safety for all using this vital route.”

Consultation on Edinburgh’s world heritage site management plan

Building on the awareness raised over the years on support available for building repairs, improving the quality of architecture, and the experience of residents and visitors, are some of the actions included in the proposed management plan for Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns’ World Heritage site.

Following a consultation last summer, a draft of the document will be considered by councillors on March 30. A further consultation will now run from April 3 to June 5 to give the public the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.

The site is managed by the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage and the partners continue to work together to ensure that the plan for the next five years will protect the integrity of the built environment while at the same time ensuring it can operate as a thriving city centre.

The plan will help to inform the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision and the actions that result from this. A summary document on the full plan has been produced highlighting people’s views on six different themes and future actions to ensure improvements continue to be made in the site going forward.

The six themes are care and maintenance of buildings and streets, control and guidance, awareness of the World Heritage Site, contribution of new development, visitor management and influence and sense of control.

Traditional skills workshop for Fife pupils

Fife pupils took part in a traditional skills workshop at historic Culross Palace this week.

Sixteen S3 pupils from Inverkeithing High School tried their hand at traditional building skills, including stonemasonry, traditional joinery, slating and lime mortar at the Fife and Tayside Building Forum Event.

Fiona Fisher, Fife Council’s conservation officer, development plan, said: “To preserve Scotland’s traditional buildings for the future, there is a pressing need to pass on the correct skills and techniques used in their construction.

“This event was all about raising awareness of potential careers in traditional building and opening up a whole new future to young people about opportunities in traditional joinery, slating or stone masonry. This hands-on ‘taster’ of traditional building skills was designed to signpost pupils to the relevant place if they want to take a particular trade forward as a career.”

Derek Brown, Fife Council’s head of head of education, said: “Continuing to successfully boost employment for local people is a top priority for Fife Council.

“These workshops give our pupils a real insight into the industry, and supports the development of their practical skills which they’ll need for the job market. This is just one of the many ways that we are working to ensure that young people in Fife increasingly go onto positive destinations and successful careers.”

Work on Linlithgow railway wall upgrade complete

Work on a £650,000 project to raise the height of walls bordering the railway at Royal Terrace and Union Road in Linlithgow is now complete.

The scheme was carried by Network Rail out as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

The investment will ensure the railway boundary is compliant with safety standards for an electrified railway and to protect the public from overhead cables.

The six-month programme involved raising the height of the listed Victorian boundary and saw specialist stone masons use 160 tonnes of locally sourced Scotch Buff sandstone to maintain the visual integrity, with existing coping stones being removed then replaced to further preserve the historic appeal of the raised walls.

The project is part of a programme of work that has seen parapet heights raised on more than 100 structures in addition to the 60 bridges that have been raised in preparation for the electrification of central Scotland’s railway.

So far, EGIP has completed the £80 million electrification of the Cumbernauld line, the £25m redevelopment of Edinburgh’s Haymarket station and the completion of the new, £41m Edinburgh Gateway train-tram interchange.

Council issues rogue traders warning

West Dunbartonshire Council have issued a warning to residents to be aware of rogue traders in the region.

As the spring season begins, Trading Standards are urging residents to be on their guard as they normally see an increase in complaints about home improvements at this time of year, with roof repairs and gardening work among the most common.

To view the Trusted Trader Scheme, visit here.

Project milestone reached on Perth Theatre refurb

A project milestone has been reached on the refurbishment of the B-listed Perth Theatre.

An air handling plant is due to be craned into position next week to fit the new extension roof of the theatre. When the air handling plant is in place, the roof will be substantially complete and the internal fit out can then begin throughout the building.

The plant is scheduled to be craned into position on March 28.

The Theatre’s refurbishment forms a key project in the council’s plans to regenerate the city centre and Mill Street.

Once completed, Mill Street will be transformed into a vibrant thoroughfare linking together the city’s major cultural buildings - the newly refurbished Perth Theatre, Perth Concert Hall and the City’s Museum and Art Gallery.

Work continues on £3.64m Wilton Lodge Park regeneration

Work is continuing on the £3.64 million regeneration of Wilton Lodge Park in the Scottish Borders.

The contractor and design team have announced the café is being built as part of the scheme and will be completed by the end of May.

In addition, landscaping and refurbishment works are close to completion and the fountain is expected to be opened in the coming weeks. Footpath and cycleway works will continue until the end of March.

A tendering exercise to appoint an operator to the café is underway, and plans are expected to conclude as early as possible.

Public Realm upgrade to begin in Motherwell

Public realm upgrade works are set to start in Motherwell.

The Windmillhill Street scheme involves installing new street lighting with landscaping including new planters, shrubs and trees, paving, benches and tables.

The project is expected to take two months and is being carried out as part of a town centre regeneration project.

Plans for another improvement project will be on display in Motherwell Library and online until April 13.

aBV to start £140,000 Kincardine sewer upgrade

Work is to begin on a £140,000 sewer improvement project in Kincardine.

The five-week project will be carried out by Scottish Water’s alliance partner aBV on Toll Road. Work will begin on March 28.

The scheme, which includes the replacement and re-lining of the sewer, will require traffic management. Diversions will be in place.

Cowgate public realm improvement scheme takes shape

Work is continuing on a public realm improvement project in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.

The final phase of the Cowgate upgrade scheme, a key part of Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan, is being completed near Kirkintilloch Community Hub.

The rolling improvements programme has involved the removal of street clutter, narrowed carriageways, widened footways, reduction of traffic speeds below 20mph and the installation of courtesy crossings in the Cowgate area.

The council has now revealed Cowgate will fully reopen ahead of schedule on April 3, with all remaining snagging issues scheduled to be finished by May.

The project has been funded by Sustrans Scotland, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), and the council’s capital programme.