London-based construction firm Balfour Beatty has confirmed that it is looking to raise capital for a “significant and complementary” acquisition. The company has said that discussions on the acquisition are at an advanced stage, but has not disclosed any further details on the buyout or the fundraising. However, the cash call is expected to be [...]

Work on a link road aimed at improving access to Barrow`s £200 million residential and leisure development has begun. The link road scheme is Phase 2 of the development at Barrow-in-Furness’ Waterfront enhancements project, which hopes to attract investors to the town creating more jobs and boosting the local economy. The road is just one [...]

A blast furnace in Wales that was mothballed a few months ago due to falling demand is to resume functioning, a company spokesperson has said. Corus, a subsidiary of Tata Steel, said that blast furnace No 4 in Port Talbot, South Wales would be restarted to “take advantage of business opportunities”. A spokesman for the [...]

Tougher planning procedures will be introduced to prevent supermarkets dominating local stores after proposals put forward by the Competition Commission. A “competition test” has been recommended to stop those with an already strong presence in a particular area from putting other stores out of business by opening new venues or carrying out extension work. Competition [...]

A project to extend a Scottish wind farm is to create up to 30 construction jobs as well as boosting the country’s green credentials, Scotland’s energy minister has announced. Energy-generating capacity at Kilbraur wind farm, Golspie, will rise by 20MW to 67.5MW – providing electricity for about 31,000 homes. Scottish energy minister, Jim Mather, said [...]

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has agreed to fund two college projects in West Lancashire and Manchester, providing modern education facilities. Plans have been unveiled for a £43 million new campus to be built at Ormskirk and Skelmersdale College in Skelmersdale, West Lancashire. Councillor Ian Grant, leader of West Lancashire Borough council, said: “This [...]

Work will begin on the redevelopment at the end of August and is expected to be completed in October next year. ISG already boasts a number of high-profile contracts such as work on the London 2012 Velodrome and is also in charge of the design and building of the Rugby Football Union’s new offices. The [...]

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has handed down fines totalling £129.5 million to 103 construction firms for rigging bids on projects across England. Major players including Balfour Beatty and Carillion are among the companies listed as having colluded with competing firms on building contracts. Investigations by OFT uncovered bid-rigging activities in projects – including [...]