Building Briefs – May 2nd

For the first time ever, Glasgow and Edinburgh are now fully connected with uninterrupted motorway.

Vehicles were allowed onto the eastbound carriageway of the new M8 for the first time on Sunday, a week after the westbound carriageway opened.

The road’s opening completes the so called ‘missing link’ between Edinburgh and Glasgow, meaning drivers no longer need to use the old A8 between Newhouse and Baillieston.

The new road layout is expected to cut travel times by up to 20 minutes at peak periods and make journey times much more reliable.

The work to upgrade the road has been carried out as part of the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project. Whilst the new M8 is now open to traffic, temporary speed limits will be still be required at locations across the project to allow remaining works to be completed safely.

Roy Hudghton appointed director at DM Hall

Widely-experienced valuation professional Roy Hudghton has returned in a full-time role to chartered surveyors DM Hall.

The former head of the RICS Valuation Professional Group in Scotland has been appointed as director in the commercial team as the firm’s East Coast-based operation undergoes a period of expansion.

As head of the four-strong Edinburgh commercial valuation team, Roy will work closely with Michael Court, partner and head of east commercial, and recently-appointed Ross Wilson, head of agency (East of Scotland).

Roy, who qualified in 1982 and specialises in trade-related valuations, particularly in the leisure sector and the licensed trade, was a partner in DM Hall until 2008, when he left to establish his own successful consultancy business.

He re-established links with the firm in 2013 and in 2015 was appointed as head of the Valuation team in a consultant capacity.

Work on hotel at Lower Dens Works to start by year end

Work to turn a historical Dundee landmark into a luxury boutique hotel is expected to begin at the end of this year, it has been revealed.

The Bell Mill and North Mill at Lower Dens Works are to be redeveloped into a four-star hotel as part of Dundee’s transformation into a tourist hotspot.

Bosses at CSAM Limited, who own the former industrial complex, plan to preserve its heritage and historical significance.

They recently submitted a bid to Dundee City Council to convert the A-listed North Mill into six bedrooms, as well as plant and storage space.

A design statement submitted to the local authority explained: “It is envisaged that this part of the development will commence in the third quarter of 2017 and the works will be ongoing for approximately nine months. Phasing for the development is to be confirmed.”

When it opens, the hotel will feature a total of 96 rooms and is expected to create jobs in the area.

The North Mill was built in 1935 and the complex, owned by the Baxter brothers, was at one time the largest linen factory in the world.

The buildings, situated on Constitution Street, are currently derelict.

Improvement work starts at Arbroath recycling centre

Work is underway on a recycling centre upgrade project in Angus.

The 12-week programme at Arbroath Recycling Centre started yesterday.

The project forms part of a scheme to redesign Angus’ recycling centre services and will see around £250,000 achieved in savings.

Angus Council added due to the nature of the works and lay-out of the site, the facility will remain open throughout the improvements.

Work on 22 turbine Harburnhead Windfarm complete

Work on a 22 turbine wind farm near Edinburgh is complete.

The 52MW Harburnhead Windfarm was delivered by Farrans in partnership with FIM Services Limited.

The contractor encountered many obstacles on the project, working on difficult terrain as the site contained historical mine workings and overlying peat depths of up to 8.5 metres.

The ground conditions required micro-siting of several turbines in order to mitigate risks on the site. Over the course of the project, 9km of access tracks were built and extensive mechanical and electrical works carried out.

Farrans Project Manager Tristram Browne highlighted the Renewable Obligation Certificate deadline as another challenge to the project. The scheme, which has helped support large-scale renewable electricity projects across the UK in recent years, closed to new generating capacity at the end of March.

Work to be carried out on Aberdeen road

An Aberdeen road will be restricted to one-way to allow fibre work to be carried out.

Crombie Road will be shut between its junctions with Crombie Place and Mansefield Road from 8am on May 27 until 10pm on May 28.

The permitted direction of travel will be eastbound only.

Exhibition will pay tribute to Mackintosh

Works by Charles Rennie Mackintosh never seen by the public before will be displayed at Kelvingrove to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Next year’s tribute is one of a series of events being organised by Mackintosh’s home city to celebrate the life of the renowned architect, designer and artist.

Many of the works come from Glasgow Museums’ internationally important collection and will be on display for the first time in a generation, with others making their debut public appearance.

The exhibition will include works by his wife Margaret Macdonald, her sister Frances Macdonald and her future James McNair.

One of Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh’s most famous gesso works, The May Queen will be taken from display to be assessed ahead of the exhibition.