Campaign group Save Rimrose Valley claims the solution offers a sustainable alternative to National Highways’ A5036 Port of Liverpool access scheme, which would demolish the 3.5km Rimrose Valley Country Park in Merseyside.

The group has been fighting the government-led access road proposal – part of its RIS2 package of road construction projects – for over four years.

The potential technological alternative is provided by Cambridgeshire-based firm Mole Solutions.

An underground freight pipeline would see containers collected from and dropped off at a purpose-built inland hub next to the motorway network and transported to and from the port, removing the need for HGVs to drive directly to the port’s entrance.

According to initial findings, the cost of such a scheme would be comparable to road construction, with savings to be made on subsequent maintenance. National Highways estimates the cost of its scheme to be between £163M and £335M.

Crucially, the technology is electrically powered and zero emission at point of use, meaning it tackles both air pollution and CO₂ emissions.

Mole Solutions technical director Stuart Prosser said that the innovation provides scope to transport “container freight, or indeed any kind of goods underground”.

He added: “The need to maintain an effective supply-chain and to decarbonise our infrastructure have never been more relevant, with the impacts of Brexit and the climate emergency dominating the news agenda.

“The Port-City conflict is common across the globe.  We believe we have come up with a solution. We want to help and both we and our delivery partners are ready to help. We would welcome the opportunity to work with Peel Ports, the Department for Transport and Sefton Council to develop and deliver a system fit for the 21^st century and beyond.”

Save Rimrose Valley representative Stuart Bennett said the group is “incredibly excited” about the technology and its potential.

“Not only does it dismantle the case for constructing a new road; it would immediately improve living conditions for those living alongside the existing A5036 route. Everyone benefits, including port operators, Peel Ports,” he said.

Bennett emphasised that the technology “represents the answer to local people’s prayers”.

He added: “It blows apart the myth that this road proposal is the only option to cater for the Port of Liverpool’s expansion. It isn’t.

“This is a golden opportunity for Peel Ports to withdraw its support for National Highways’ road proposal and to get behind a truly sustainable solution. In doing so, they would transform how they are perceived by many of us living in the surrounding communities. We hope they grasp this with both hands for the sake of their business, our communities and the future of our planet.”

The technology also features in Sefton Council’s 2020 Arup Port Access Report.

The National Highways scheme was shrouded in controversy earlier this year after campaigners released internal National Highways emails relating to the Port of Liverpool project which showed deliberate attempts to obfuscate the FOI process.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Liverpool City Region’s Port Access Steering Group is charged with considering multi-modal approaches in addressing transport issues in north Liverpool. Our proposals form one part of that solution.

“We’re fully committed to progressing the A5036 scheme to improve safety and traffic conditions, support economic growth and both protect and enhance the environment.”

Source: New Civil Engineer

IRONMONGERYDIRECT LAUNCHES LATEST CATALOGUE WITH EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS 

Leading trade supplier, IronmongeryDirect, has issued its new catalogue with over 18,000 products in stock for next day delivery as standard.

The updates include a choice of Rothley curtain poles and accessories, suitable for many domestic and light commercial applications. Its popular Rothley Baroque range for instance, is available in a number of finishes including antique brass and antique copper to perfectly match Rothley legs, twin slot shelving and handrails.

Also featured are Carlisle Brass knurled cabinet handles and knobs, precision engineered from solid brass. The textured design aligns with various interior styles, particularly industrial, modern and contemporary aesthetics. To achieve a cohesive look the knurled range is available in pull handles, knobs and t-bar knobs in five different finishes including satin Nickel and Antique brass.

IronmongeryDirect’s exclusive Altro range also has a new assortment of designer bathroom ironmongery available online. Offering a wide range of quality products for both domestic and commercial projects, the collection spans towel rails and hooks in satin or polished stainless steel as well as matt black.

Commenting on the new catalogue, Katrina Adamczyk, Manager of Category & Merchandising at IronmongeryDirect said: “We constantly review and update our ranges so that we can deliver the products our customers need to meet a variety of project specifications from domestic premises through to specialist builds.

“Not only is our product offering constantly developing, we are dedicated to expanding our delivery options with free next working day delivery available on orders over £45, as well as same-day delivery to selected postcodes and our Click & Collect service, enabling customers to collect orders from a network of over 6,000 UK shops.”

To request a free catalogue or to view online, CLICK HERE

Materials shortage affects the Below Ground Drainage, Sewer and Surface Water Management Products Market

As with other sectors of the construction industry, the pandemic has had a major impact on drainage, sewer and surface water management works, more so for housebuilding rather than civils works, where most work is undertaken outdoors where it has been easier to apply social distancing measures. This has led to a decrease in sales of below ground drainage sewer and surface water management products in 2020.

For 2021, it is forecast there will be a modest return to growth as the construction industry has returned working at almost full capacity. However, several factors will have constrained growth, most notably the impact of the pandemic across global supply chains, including in the UK construction industry where there is a shortage of many types of products and materials. This has been due to a combination of the dislocation of containers around the world and the surge in global demand for materials such as timber, steel and polymers as economies return to some semblance of normality after the lockdowns of 2020.

In the UK this has been compounded by the impact of ‘Brexit’ on the implementation of new documentation processes at containers ports and Dover, where most shipping from the EU comes into the UK, and the return home of many EU construction workers.

The main polymer use in the manufacture of below ground drainage, sewers and surface water drainage is PVC-u, with PE and PP also being important particularly in the production of large diameter pipes and surface water / stormwater management products. However, ProdCom data shows that UK manufacturers sales for rigid tubes and pipes of all three polymer types were down sharply in 2020.

Abdul Tantouch, Research Manager at AMA Research, comments on the materials shortage –
“shortages of materials due to the global dislocation of containers and surge in global demand for timber, steel and polymers will likely last throughout 2021 and well into 2022. Long term issues influencing growth in the market include the shortages of tradesmen and construction professionals which was partly due to lower levels of activity in the industry thereby masking a systemic shortage of construction trades, but the UK has been compounded by the impact of new post-Brexit processes at ports and the return home of many EU construction workers.”

However, over the course of 2021, as economies around the world have been recovering from the impact of the pandemic, demand for plastic products has soared. Europe is a net importer for polymer and so is particularly vulnerable to market disruptions. Since Q1 there have been severe shortages of polymers – particularly PVC, PE and PP -and additives for plastics converting leading to huge price increases in Europe.

Over the next five years and into the longer term, it is forecast that demand will grow for below ground drainage, sewers and surface water management products and systems. The key drivers behind this are the anticipated growth in population and ‘urban creep’ and forecasts for increases in major flooding.

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Medical practices are at the heart of communities across the world. IG Masonry Support was proud to play an important part in the stunning redevelopment of the Bridges Family Practice, formerly known as Bryson Street Surgery.

The family practice has been a staple of Protestant and Catholic communities for more than a century, and its new moniker is a reflection of the bridging of these two groups. Thanks to significant funding from Landmark East, The Northern Ireland Executive’s Social Investment Fund, this vital community asset has been transformed into a state-of-the-art-facility that will continue to serve its people for years to come.

In its new glory, the practice boasts extensive amenities including interview and treatment rooms, children’s play and waiting area, facilities and access for wheelchair users and minor surgery capabilities.

The Challenge

East Belfast residents will recognise the new building has retained one feature – its unique, curved wall with a projecting soffit at its entrance. In order to maximise the visual impact of the wall, funding was secured through the Northern Ireland Executive’s Urban Villages Initiative to commission a piece of art for this iconic exterior.

IG Masonry Support, a company which continually meets customers’ high expectations in terms of quality, was tasked with crafting a bespoke Brick Slip Lintel that curved with this shape of the building’s entrance.

The Solution

IG Masonry Support’s teams utilised their skill, craft and expertise to create a Brick Slip Lintel that accentuated this architectural finish and fitted seamlessly with the constructed brickwork. IG Masonry Support also produced Brick Slip Lintels above each of the windows, which required a brick soffit.

IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Lintels can be used over small openings to eliminate the need for additional masonry support. Supplied in stainless steel or galvanised steel, IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Lintels have the same profile as a standard lintel and are delivered to site as a one-piece unit, complete with brick slips attached, eliminating the need for specialist installation onsite. These solutions are produced off-site in a factory-controlled environment which ensures that the bonding process occurs in optimum controlled conditions free from wet weather, extreme temperature variations and excessive dust.

With thousands of installations completed over the past decade, IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip system is a proven and reliable solution which provides maximum BBA-certified adhesion of the brick slips.

The utilisation of IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Lintels will ensure the iconic curved wall of the Bridges Family Practice’s entrance looks good and performs well into its bright future.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT IG MASONRY SUPPORT