Building Briefs – May 31st

• Kier Regional Building helps pupils get grass roots learning

The two-day event, designed to teach children where food comes from and the importance of agriculture and the countryside was hosted by Glasgow City Council with support from The Royal Highland Education Trust.

Kier is currently carrying out the refurbishment of the Burrell Museum within the grounds of Pollok Park and donated £500 and provided volunteers for the event.

The events were aimed at demonstrating to the children where their food comes from and the importance of healthy eating in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Local pupils had the opportunity to learn about many different aspects of farming, including dairy and beef farming, together with seeing sheep dog trials, Clydesdale horses, tractors, and learning first-hand how to protect wildlife and their natural habitat and how to grow vegetables.

Phil McDowell, operations director of Kier Regional Building Scotland, said: “We are always keen to give back to local communities where we work. We are delighted to support these fantastic events which allows pupils to experience this important learning in such a unique and memorable way.”  

• Dalry bypass opens to traffic

The new A737 Dalry Bypass opened to traffic yesterday morning, some seven months ahead of schedule.

The £31.2 million bypass project which was expected to be completed this winter has supported 130 jobs during the height of construction and will now deliver significant benefits for road users and the local community alike.

The project has delivered a new 3.8km bypass to the east of the Dalry together with associated junctions.

Brian Snow, project manager, Farrans Roadbridge Joint Venture, said: “It is just under two years since our sod turning ceremony to commence construction on the A737 Dalry Bypass. Farrans Roadbridge are delighted to deliver this significant project to the North Ayrshire area on behalf of Transport Scotland. Together with our client we have worked collaboratively to successfully deliver the opening of the Dalry bypass seven months ahead of schedule.

“The new bypass will reduce congestion in Dalry whilst improving safety to road users.”

With the traffic now moved on to the new bypass, the contractor will remain on site for a period of time to construct the connecting road between the existing A737 and the new roundabout at Highfield and to undertake necessary finishing, snagging and seasonal landscaping works.

• School sports park to be named after Billy McNeill

A new state-of-the-art 4g sports pitch at a Motherwell secondary school will be named after former pupil and legendary Celtic FC and Scottish international Billy McNeill.

Construction progress on the new ‘Billy McNeill Sports Park’ officially got under way at Our Lady’s High yesterday and will be completed later this year.

Sadly, Billy passed away last month. His wife Liz McNeill and daughter Libby joined Our Lady’s head teacher Dan Cardle and Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, to launch work on the new park.

Another Lisbon Lion, the late great Bobby Murdoch, also attended Our Lady’s High as did iconic former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby, former Celtic and Motherwell player, Stephen Pearson and current Celtic defender, Kieran Tierney.

When completed, the all-weather 11-a-side pitch on the current school campus at Dalzell Drive will be used for a number of sports including football and hockey.