Building Briefs – September 29th

New red-surfaced cycle lanes are to be installed at a number of key points along the tram route in Edinburgh’s city centre.

The measures, the first in a three-phase project to help all road users keep themselves and each other safe when negotiating the tram tracks, are aimed at demonstrating the optimum angle for crossing the tracks and reminding motorists to give cyclists extra space, particularly where tramlines are concerned.

The red-screeded cycle lanes will offer those on bikes the safest route to cross the tram tracks to avoid slipping or getting their wheels stuck.

A report going before the City of Edinburgh Council’s transport and environment committee on October 5 details the changes, which will be rolled out over the coming weeks, along with warning signs and a multi-channel publicity and awareness campaign.

The campaign will urge all road users to “look out for each other”, stressing the need for drivers to give cyclists ample space when they’re manoeuvring into the safest position for crossing tram tracks.

These initial measures, or Phase 1 in the project, involve new road markings at:

There will also be red surfacing added to the existing cycle lane at Haymarket Yards.

Consultations have been under way for some time between specialist consultants working on the Council’s behalf and cycling groups, including Spokes and Sustrans, to assess areas of potential conflict between cyclists and tramlines in the city centre and develop proposals for improvements.

Kerse Road Bridge programme of works approved

Stirling councillors have approved a programme of works proposed by Network Rail to replace Stirling’s Kerse Road Bridge as part of the electrification of the Stirling area rail network.

Councillors also approved traffic mitigation measures and road closures that are necessary for the works to take place.

Network Rail is seeking to replace the existing bridge in order to meet the clearance distances required for the electrification of the railway line, and to address a number of defects identified with the existing structure.

Committee members were made aware of Network Rail’s proposals to electrify the line, which in turn will increase capacity and shorter journey times throughout the central belt.

During a long and vibrant debate, members were informed that there had been a significant reduction in the original works timescale, since Network Rail had first proposed a program based on a full road closure for 15 months.

A construction period of 13 months has now been agreed, between January 2018 and January 2019, with a period of full road closure now reduced to six months from April to October. Cycling and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times during this period over the temporary pedestrian bridge.

Lovell in Scotland picks up prestigious RoSPA award

Lovell has been awarded a top accolade at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards 2017.

The company achieved the President’s award for health and safety performance in the prestigious annual award scheme run by the national safety charity.

This represents a thirteenth consecutive win for the company in the annual RoSPA Gold awards.

The Lovell Scotland team was presented with the award during a special ceremony at the Hilton Glasgow hotel earlier this month. Now in its 61st year, the RoSPA Awards scheme is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas.

Judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Perth Leisure Pool to close for £150k revamp

Perth Leisure Pool is to undergo a £150,000 refurbishment.

The building will close its doors to the public from October 30 to November 5 for the works that will introduce new flume features, a swipe entry system, sauna cabin replacement, a cafe makeover and repairs to the Monkey Jungle.

The improvements to the flumes will include speed timers and a light and sound system.

There will also be pool surround resurfacing, repairs to the children’s area flooring and pool plant repair and refurbishment.

Stirling Council transfers former school site to build new social housing

Stirling Council has re-affirmed its commitment to building more social rented homes following a decision to approve the transfer of the former St Margaret’s Primary School site in Cowie to the housing service.

The decision means that the site can now be used to create new affordable homes.

The site will be developed by the council to provide up to 20 new homes, which will be a mix of cottage flats and family homes. The former school buildings which occupied the site were demolished earlier this year.

Fire damaged Hillhead properties to be given new lease of life

CCG is to undertake the repair and upgrade of two properties on behalf of Hillhead Housing Association.

The properties, located in the Hillhead area of Kirkintilloch, were damaged extensively by fire and will have major repairs, including the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms, heating and rewiring, and full interior decoration.

Works by the firm’s Asset Management division are due to commence this September and will be undertaken over a 12-week period.

New Stirling care village tops out

Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer attended a topping out ceremony at the new Stirling Care Village as the final solar panels were slotted into place on the roof of the Primary and Urgent Care Centre.

The centre will provide more modern, spacious accommodation for a number of existing health services include minor injuries services, X-ray facilities and GP out-of-hours services. It will also house a number of local GP practices, which are relocating to the centre.

Also being built in the grounds of Stirling Community Hospital, is a new Care Hub with more than 100 beds to provide short-term care, assessment or rehabilitation to older people who require additional support following an illness or operation. A comfortable, homely environment will help older people recover, regain their independence and, in the majority of cases, return to their own homes.

The new Stirling Care Village is a £35m development, which is a joint venture between Stirling Council, NHS Forth Valley and the Scottish Ambulance Service, who plan to re-locate their existing ambulance station there from the Riverside area of the city.

Forth Valley College is also keen to explore opportunities to offer local young people who are considering a career in the health and care sector, a range of training and volunteering opportunities within the new Care Village.

Keepmoat Regeneration supports Gas Safety Week 2017

Following the official launch of Gas Safety Week 2017 at the Houses of Parliament, Keepmoat Regeneration arranged a series of events to support the initiative and educate a number of customers, staff and school children across Scotland.

The firm, which is part of the ENGIE Group, provides regeneration services across Great Britain, and has taken advantage of its work in key areas across the country to support Gas Safe Register’s message of raising awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Keepmoat Regeneration is in the process of delivering external wall insulation on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council, which includes works on council and owner occupied homes. While carbon monoxide alarms are fitted in all council housing as standard, more than half (54%) of the privately owned properties receiving work, were without carbon monoxide alarms.

In support of Gas Safety Week, which ran from the 19th to the 24th September, Keepmoat Regeneration supplied and installed the new alarms at these properties free of charge. Its Gas Engineers demonstrated to the owners how the alarms work and emphasised the importance of having them.

Gas Safety Packs were produced and distributed to educate site staff, sub-contractors and customers across their projects in Scotland, ensuring this information was filtered from the top down in honour of Gas Safety Week. As part of Keepmoat Regeneration’s regularly engagement with local primary schools across the communities they are working, they used this opportunity to deliver ‘safety awareness’ talks to emphasise gas safety to children as well as distribute ‘Gas Safety Champion Stickers’ and ‘Doug – Gas Safe Hero’ colouring-in sheets.

AES Solar employees destined to inspire young

Two employees from the only Scottish solar panel manufacturer based in Moray are developing their work with young people and education.

Stuart Engelmann and Keith Esson from Forres-based AES Solar will be working on different projects each designed to help young people make good choices regarding future employment and their careers.

Stuart, project manager with AES Solar will be working with Career Ready, a national charity partnering with schools, local authorities and employers to help young people become career ready.

The initiative will roll out across Moray at the end of the month when Stuart, along with 50 other mentors from 26 companies across the region will meet the students that will be supported over the next two years.

Meanwhile, Keith Esson has become an ambassador with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). STEM is geared toward people who work in these industries and the ambassadors are volunteers that aim to inspire young people to become interested in STEM subjects and consider a career in a STEM industry.

Keith got involved in the initiative after Debbie Mathers, STEM ambassador co-ordinator for the North Scotland Hub supported AES Solar with their Interactive Science Tent at Piping at Forres in June.