Building Briefs – May 19th

Bursary bid to attract next generation

In a bid to encourage individuals to get into construction and engineering trades Russell Roof Tiles has launched a £10,000 bursary for youngsters.

Young people in its two home towns Burton on Trent and Lockerbie will have the opportunity to win one of 10 bursaries, worth £1,000 each for any training directly related to the three areas of industry.

The John Gibson Fund / Bursary – is named after the founder of the roof tile manufacturer which was established 50 years ago.

The fund can be used for education or training, to pay for clothing, books and other equipment for a course, transport and lunch whilst training.

The bursary has been created by Russell’s managing director Andrew Hayward who is keen to support and encourage youngsters looking for a career.

As part of the launch, Russell’s is also looking for partners to come forward to assist with education and professional training for the youngsters awarded the bursary.

New Lidl store part of Kirkcaldy expansion plan

Supermarket giant Lidl has announced a £5 million project to relocate its Kirkcaldy store.

The new supermarket would create up to 15 jobs and include a bakery and 130 parking spaces.

Lidl plans to build a larger store on the former bus depot site across the road from Morrisons at the Esplanade.

Members of the public will be able to find out more about the proposal at a consultation event being held in Philp Hall, Links Street, from 2pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 24.

Staff from Lidl’s property team will be on hand to answer any questions from the local community.

Lidl said replacing the existing store on the Esplanade was part of the group’s expansion plans.

It already has 630 stores in the UK but would like to nearly double this to 1,200.

Scotland TranServ to begin South Lanarkshire resurfacing works

Scotland TranServ is due to begin a programme of resurfacing works next week in South Lanarkshire.

Over £110,000 of repairs will be delivered on the eastbound A725 between Whitemoss Roundabout and Whirlies Roundabout.

The project aims to improve the road surface for over 7,000 road users who use the route each day.

In order to carry out the scheme safely, a total closure of the eastbound carriageway will be in operation from 8pm on Friday, 27 May to 6am on Monday, 30 May.

West Dunbartonshire Council opens new £865,000 3G pitches

West Dunbartonshire Council has opened two new 3G pitches in Alexandria and Dumbarton.

A total of £865,000 has been invested in the new sports facilities.

A full size 3G synthetic pitch has been developed in Argyll Park, Alexandria, along with a modern 3G pitch at East End Park in Dumbarton.

The £565,000 all-weather floodlit pitch in Argyll Park meets FIFA/IRB standards and has been supported by £250,000 funding from sportscotland.

In addition, the pitch at East End Park has been installed in a £300,000 project, with Cashback for Communities contributing £150,000 and the Scottish Football Partnership contributing £25,000.

Edinburgh to boost bike parking with new cycle racks

Edinburgh City Council is boosting bicycle parking across the city by installing hundreds of new cycle racks.

A total of 400 racks are currently being built, providing space for up to 800 bicycles.

The initiative has been jointly funded by the council and Sustrans, who contributed £66,000 as part of its commitment to the city’s 20mph scheme.

The local authority has pledged to increase the proportion of its transport budget spent on cycling by 1 per cent each year, with a 9 per cent proposed spend for 2016/17.

The funding allows various projects designed to encourage take-up of cycling, including the development of segregated cycle lanes, improved cycle safety infrastructure and the city’s growing off-road cycle route network.

Designs are wanted for town centres

Design enthusiasts are being urged to share their “creative yet practical” visions to regenerate town centres.

The FutureTown Design competition, led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), is seeking innovative ideas to help shape the areas of the future.

The contest, which launched yesterday at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, is open to anyone and entrants should sketch or photograph their idea for one space on the high street.