Severe weekend storms disrupted major infrastructure and construction activity across the UK, forcing HS2 to postpone works on the Water Orton viaduct and temporarily halting construction at Hinkley Point C. The weather also caused widespread transport disruption, flooding, power cuts and damage to the network, while a separate scaffolding collapse in Streatham led to two hospitalisations and HSE involvement.
A section of the Kennet and Avon Canal in Bath has been temporarily closed after road improvement works by VolkerHighways damaged part of a tunnel arch over the canal. The Canal & River Trust says the structure is unsafe pending a detailed assessment by a structural engineer, while Bath and North East Somerset Council is continuing related road closures and monitoring the bridge.
Southend-on-Sea City Council has agreed to settle a late payment dispute with Auburn Group by paying almost £590,000 linked to refurbishment works at the Cliffs Pavilion. The project has also been affected by asbestos, slab and foundation issues, with the council noting further works remain outstanding and potential contractual disputes still unresolved.
The article indicates that Helical expects Gateway 2 approval next month for a student accommodation scheme. It also notes that McLaren is poised to complete two office schemes for a developer, suggesting ongoing activity in the development pipeline.
Kane Group Building Services reported a strong year, with pre-tax profit rising almost 45% to £6.4m on turnover up 15% to £100.9m. The company paid a £6.2m dividend and increased investment in offsite manufacturing, while noting that labour shortages and slower new residential activity remain challenges.
The Regulator of Social Housing’s Sector Risk Profile 2026 highlights a challenging operating environment for social landlords, with ongoing pressure to invest in existing homes while also delivering new supply. It points to heightened expectations around building safety, energy efficiency, consumer standards and financial resilience, alongside growing cyber, data and operational resilience risks.
A partial building and scaffolding collapse at a redevelopment site in Banbury has left two workers injured and prompted an HSE investigation. Emergency services attended the former car sales site, which is being converted into 19 apartments, and there were no reports of anyone trapped.
The Regulator of Social Housing has published its latest Sector Risk Profile, warning that social landlords face growing financial, operational and delivery pressures. The report says boards and councillors need strong strategic leadership to balance investment in existing homes, compliance with safety and energy standards, and the need to deliver new affordable housing.
HG Construction has been appointed to deliver £225m of residential work in Manchester, comprising 895 homes across two plots within the Red Bank neighbourhood, part of the wider Victoria North regeneration scheme. The programme includes a 34-storey build-to-rent tower and a further three-building scheme, with the next phase subject to Building Safety Regulator Gateway 2 approval.
Manchester City Council has issued a formal decision notice for Oval Real Estate’s Albert Bridge House redevelopment, following completion of a Section 106 agreement. The scheme will replace the existing office block with two residential towers and a smaller office building, although start on site still depends on Building Safety Regulator Gateway 2 approval.
An estate agency director and his company were fined after failing to provide information to fire safety inspectors following a fire at a managed property in Hastings. The case arose from an investigation that also identified fire safety shortcomings at the building, including issues with detectors, self-closing doors and resident fire information.
A witness in the Higgins Homes fatal lift case has denied fabricating his account of a crane incident that led to the death of a pedestrian in Bow, east London. The court heard conflicting evidence about whether the pallet of bricks struck scaffolding, how the load was secured, and who was responsible for the lift setup.
