Building Briefs – October 23rd

Steven Laurie, production director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland based in Paisley, and his wife Wendy both faced an incredible challenge to cross Scotland in a weekend as they took part in the gruelling Rat Race Coast to Coast.

Inspired to raise funds for Cancer Research UK following a sad loss in their own family, the couple squared up with over 500 other couples and 200 individual race competitors from all over Europe to cover 106 miles that started on Nairn beach, north east of Inverness and took them through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery as they cycled, kayaked and ran in their epic challenge that finished on the shores of Loch Leven on the west coast of Scotland.

Months of training paid off as Steven added: “This was an amazing personal challenge for both of us and we’ve trained together for months in preparation for the race so we’re really delighted to have finished in 13th place. Plus we’ve raised around £1,700 for Cancer Research UK and our total is still rising so we’re really pleased. We really enjoyed the mix of kayak, running, and cycling through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. It was an epic challenge and I’m delighted that we completed it together.”

Rotten platforms on rail bridge a danger to staff

The Tay Rail Bridge is facing major repairs after Network Rail revealed staff had accidents using walkways on the Dundee side of the bridge due to rotten timber.

The rail firm admitted the timbers are dangerous and need to be replaced to prevent further incidents occurring.

Plans have been lodged with both Dundee City Council and Fife Council to carry out maintenance and repair works.

The repairs will also include replacing corroded parts of the structure and repainting part of the bridge.

The repair proposals also include replacing “seriously eroded” parts of the wind fence at the sides of the bridge with a different material.

The wind fence ballast boards are located just outside the running rail on both the upper and lower spans for the entire length of the bridge.

The eroded steel is to be replaced by GRP panels, which it is hoped will prove more robust in the marine environment.

New report exposes umbrella company ‘con-trick’

Construction union UCATT have today launched a new report into how thousands of construction workers are seeing cuts in their pay as a result of being forced to operate via umbrella companies.

The report The Umbrella Company Con Trick was written for UCATT by freelance researcher and journalist Jamie Elliott. The report details how workers operating via an umbrella company are disadvantaged by having to pay both employer’s and employees’ national insurance contributions (25 per cent of eligible earnings).

It added that they are officially paid just the minimum wage despite jobs being advertised at well in excess of £10 an hour. Wages are then bulked out with expenses, “performance related pay” and other highly confusing terms.

The report found that a worker being paid via umbrella company Crest Plus Exchange earning £600 a week was paid just £410.14. If the same worker had been under a standard PAYE they would have received £464.76 and if the value of holiday pay is included the pay rate would increase to £531.68.

The report also found that the Government is substantially losing out on tax and NI revenues through the use of umbrella companies. For a worker earning £500 a week via an umbrella company the annual loss to the Treasury is £3,800 per worker.

Fife Housing Group completes phase four of Abbeyview development

Fife Housing Group’s latest phase of the multi-million pound regeneration of Abbeyview is now complete and all of the tenants have moved in.

The two and three bedroomed affordable rented homes in Duncan Crescent are part of a £17.5 million, 170 home rebuilding programme coordinated by Fife Housing Group, Fife Council and Persimmon Homes.

Work on the regeneration programme started in 2000 and has helped to improve the quality of housing and environment of the Dunfermline estate. 36 homes have been developed in the area by Fife Housing Group (FHG) this year.

Work on phase five of the Abbeyview Development, on Islay Road, is due to begin this month.

Average residential rents fall for first time in three months

Rents in Scotland fell by 0.2 per cent in September, the first monthly drop in three months, according to a new report.

The average residential rent in Scotland now stands at £536 per month, dropping from a record high in August, the latest Scotland Buy-to-Let Index from Your Move found.

Average residential rents across Scotland are still two per cent (£11) higher than a year ago, but this represents a slow-down of growth on an annual basis.

Annual rent rises have eased off from 2.7 per cent last month, and dropped from a 3.1 per cent annual change in the year to September 2013.

Rents fell on a monthly basis in four out of five regions of Scotland in September, with Edinburgh and the Lothians the only area reporting growth.

Housing experts warned that the pace of growth could cool further after the latest LSL Landlord Survey found landlords expect rents to rise just 1.8 per cent over the next 12 months.

Student housing planned for north Glasgow

Watkin Jones has submitted plans for the creation of a 13-storey student residential tower at North Hanover Street, Glasgow, to house 441 students – extending a pattern of ongoing investment in the sector.

Plans revealed for £35m Union Canal Hotel

Property investor and developer Union Hanover has unveiled plans for a £35 million canalside hotel in the Fountainbridge district of Edinburgh.

The Urban Villa venue would consist of 180 serviced apartments, including four luxury penthouse suites, and is the latest in the pipeline of projects that includes sites in Aberdeen, Glasgow and London.

Investor to open £6.5m Paisley student complex

A city investor has created a £6.5 million student living development inside a former council office building in Paisley.

Charles Good, part of Hawkwood Capital, and Glasgow lettings agency Be Central are behind MyPad Paisley which will open its doors on November 3.

Construction group Redpath has transformed the Gilmour Street building, which, when fully developed, will offer 242 en-suite student rooms.

Greenbelt housing bid in East Renfrewshire

A large-scale housing development on greenbelt land has been mooted in Waterfoot, East Renfrewshire.

Gladman Developments is seeking in principle planning approval from East Renfrewshire Council to build up to 100 new houses.

Spray-on tarmac ‘to cure Edinburgh’s pothole problem’

Spray-on tarmac that will repair five times as many roads at the same cost is to be used on Edinburgh’s streets as part of a plan to tackle crumbling carriageways.

The tough new material, which is already in use in some other parts of the country, can also withstand heavy traffic for twice as long as the resurfacing materials currently used in Edinburgh.

Transport chiefs are warning a massive £260 million backlog in roadrepairs will still take years to clear but say their package of reforms will give the city a fighting chance of turning the tide when it comes to repairing our broken roads.