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Construction Disrupted Episode 85 - Build, Baby, Build (01.10.25)

Three New Town Schemes to Begin This Parliament, Promises Housing Secretary

Announcement Details:

• The UK government has pledged to initiate three new town schemes during the current parliamentary term.
• Locations include Bedfordshire, North London, and Leeds, with a taskforce identifying 12 potential sites for development.

Sector Reactions:

• Industry leaders have welcomed the announcement but raised concerns about the viability of the projects due to rising construction costs.
• Calls have been made for Homes England to step in and "de-risk" sites, particularly those with a 40% affordable housing requirement.

Challenges:

• Persistent construction cost hikes and infrastructure challenges are key obstacles.
• Ensuring affordability and sustainability in the new towns is a priority for stakeholders.

Northern Powerhouse Rail Reportedly Pushed Back Again as Government Insists Line Will Go Ahead

Project Delays:

• The Northern Powerhouse Rail project, connecting Liverpool and Manchester, faces fresh delays due to another review of its costs and value for money.
• The government has not provided updates in recent spending reviews or infrastructure pipelines.

Funding and Timeline:

• The Department for Transport proposed £1.5 billion in early funding to start work by 2030, but the Treasury is cautious due to concerns over cost overruns similar to HS2.

Political and Economic Implications:

• Northern mayors view the rail line as essential for economic growth and resolving transport constraints in the North West.
• The project is strongly supported by political figures like Andy Burnham and Lucy Powell, but criticised by Reform UK, which advocates scrapping the line.

“Bottoming-Out” Ceremony Sees Historic Church on Stilts

Engineering Feat:

• At the Fifty Fenchurch Street development in London, a 700-year-old church tower (All Hallows Staining Church) has been preserved on 45-foot tall stilts.
• This innovative engineering solution allows the church to remain suspended above a 60,000 sq ft excavation site.

Construction Milestone:

• The ceremony marked the completion of excavation work, involving the removal of over 125,000 tonnes of earth.
• The site will host a 36-story flagship development blending modern workspace with historical features.

Collaborative Efforts:

• Key players include AXA IM Alts (developer), YardNine (delivery partner), Arup (engineering consultant), and Multiplex Construction Europe (main contractor).
• The project is celebrated for its unique integration of historical preservation and state-of-the-art...