Stonehenge Tunnel and other Infrastructure Cuts

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that UK infrastructure projects including the £1.7bn A303 Stonehenge Tunnel “will not move forward” as the government looks to fill a £22bn hole that the government has discovered in its audit of public finances.

Other money saving measures announced by Reeves in her address to Parliament this afternoon include the cancellation of the programme to bring disused railways back into service, the A27 Arundel Bypass, curtailment of Boris Johnson’s New Hospital Programme and a pledge to spend less on external consultants.

Civil engineering contractors have said that the industry was “disappointed” by infrastructure cuts.

The chancellor told Parliament that the financial situation inherited by the new Labour government is far worse than anticipated and that the previous regime “covered up” the starkness of the budgetary situations for governmental departments.

The speech was made alongside the release of an internal audit of public finances by HM Treasury that shows a £22bn differential between incoming tax revenue and expected spending outlay for this year.

In her speech to Parliament, Reeves said that the previous government had £35bn of pressures on its budgets that it had not divulged publicly. She accused the former government of making “unfunded commitments after unfunded commitments” and “putting party ahead of country”.

One of the covered-up funds disclosed by Reeves is a £1.6bn overspend in the Department for Transport which stems from handouts to private rail companies to make up for losses during the pandemic.

She detailed “difficult decisions” – i.e. cuts – that she said would make up £5.5bn of savings this year and over £8bn next year.

She wiped several “unfunded” commitments off the government’s plans across sectors and departments. The infrastructure related cuts include £1bn of unfunded transport projects that were to be brought forward in the next year that will now be systematically reviewed by the transport secretary Louise Haigh.

“As part of that work, she has agreed not to move forward with projects that the previous government refused to publicly cancel despite knowing full well they were unaffordable,” Reeves stated.

These included A303 Stonehenge and the A27 Arundel Bypass. Deferral of the £320M A27 Scheme had already been revealed in the party manifesto in the lead up to the election.

The Restoring Your Railway programme cancellation will save £85M according to the chancellor, and Haigh’s review will now assess other projects individually.

The Restoring Your Railways scheme was intended to bring abandoned railways back into service, which has successfully delivered the renewed Dartmoor Line, the Levenmouth Rail Link and the Northumberland line.

Further lines that were hoping to be restored through the programme included the Ivanhoe Line, the Portishead Line and many more.

She accused the Conservative government of promising “roads that would never be built, public transport that would never arrive, hospitals that would never treat a single patient”.

When the previous government, in March 2023, “rephased” major infrastructure projects including Lower Thames Crossing and High Speed 2, the infrastructure sector blasted it as a “false economy”.

Stonehenge Tunnel

National Highways’ A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge Tunnel) scheme has been a long embattled project due to the roads body’s plan to develop a major new road and tunnel under the Unesco World Heritage Site. The roads body has argued for the necessity of the scheme to reduce chronic congestion on the main road artery to the south-west.

There have been continual battles with campaigners, Unesco and the High Court over this scheme. It was initially granted a development consent order (DCO) in November 2020, against recommendations from the Planning Inspectorate. Campaigners took this to the High Court which overruled the DCO decision as it was deemed unlawful.

National Highways continued to work on the DCO for the scheme, improving its carbon credentials. A second DCO application was approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) last summer. It seemed the scheme, which is still officially listed as £1.7bn but hasn’t had its cost updated for some years, was set to start construction this year. However, it had a final legal hurdle to overcome, which was heard earlier this month.

Now all the effort – including £166M spent to date on developing the two DCO applications, appointing contractors and fending off legal appeals – has come to naught.

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Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) director of operations Marie-Claude Hemming said:

“The Chancellor’s announcements are disappointing but will not come as a shock to industry, not least because a shortfall in funding for public projects has been evident for some time.

“The Labour Party rightly identified economic growth as its core mission, but as ever cancelling or pausing projects that will likely need to be delivered at a later date – and at higher cost – is putting off the potential for schemes to drive growth, create jobs and meet the needs of businesses and communities.

“As the UK’s public finances are clearly in a weakened state it is all the more important that government works with industry to identify how to move schemes towards delivery, rather than mothballing these crucial sources of growth.

“What’s more, it is frustrating that firms are expected to bear the costs of delay without regard to their forward planning in terms of workload and skills.

“Our industry thrives on certainty of investment, which is what enables CECA members to plan and deliver world-class infrastructure, upskill the workforce to meet projected need, and to ensure sustainable and stable business models.

“That’s why we’re looking forward to working with our members and the UK Government to review schemes that have been put on hiatus and see how they might be brought back online in due course, and to identify other projects that can be unlocked in all parts of the UK.

“Whether unlocking this investment – and its integration with the new housing Britain so urgently needs – will require new funding models is an open question that must be explored.

“Moreover the Chancellor’s announcement that she will set a multi-year spending review to provide certainty over three year periods will be welcomed by industry as a statement of intent to deliver economic stability in the longer term.

“Yet we urge the Government not to repeat the mistakes of previous administrations in taking an axe to capital projects without regard to future growth, and to work with industry to identify opportunities for investment that will not only deliver value for money, but will form the backbone of a net zero UK economy for years to come.”

Institution of Civil Engineers interim associate director of policy David Hawkes said:

“The Institution of Civil Engineers has long been calling for more certainty, clarity, and long-term strategic plans for infrastructure.

“The announcements made today by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the government will undertake a multi-year spending review and commit to reviewing spending every two years, are welcome. Whatever the level of investment and priorities that the government decides on, infrastructure professionals, stakeholders, and the public need clarity and commitment to deliver.

“Now, it’s essential that the government make decisions about the infrastructure that should be invested in, in line with the priorities outlined by the National Infrastructure Commission in its second National Infrastructure Assessment.

“The government must quickly produce a National Infrastructure Strategy to lay out a vision and framework for delivering on its missions to kickstart economic growth and reach net-zero.”

Railway Industry Association chief executive Darren Caplan said:

 “The Railway Industry Association and our members will be closely following the announcement by Rachel Reeves of a three year spending review, and news that the Restoring Your Railways programme is cancelled with individual projects now under review.

“We support the need for a strategic review of transport schemes, and urge the government to make sure that the spending review takes account of the crucial role rail investment plays in supporting jobs, local growth, connectivity and decarbonisation within and between the UK’s nations and regions. As the National Infrastructure Commission recently noted, a lack of rail capacity is at risk of holding back growth in key cities.”

AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler said:

“Efficient transport infrastructure covering both road and rail is essential to the economic viability of the country. Congestion wastes billions of pounds each year and can fuel inflation as the bulk of goods and passenger journeys are made by road. Government figures show 80% of freight travels by road and 86% of all passenger kilometres travelled used cars, vans and taxis.

“We understand the Government needs to make savings and we would prefer to see this come from large infrastructure projects such as the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel being delayed rather than from the commitment to fund and fix the roads to remove the scourge of potholes.

“In the AA Motorists’ Manifesto, we indicated that our members are not in favour of massive road building schemes but believe more can and should be done to improve the safety of the current road and motorway network.

“By far the most important issue for 96% of AA members, in terms of transport policy, is the state of the roads, so while we understand that some longer-term projects will be delayed, we still need the commitment from Government for more long-term, ring-fenced funding for more permanent repairs of our roads.”

GHD EMEA market development leader Jonathan Edwards said:

 “The Labour government has a commitment to ‘get Britain building’, supercharge transport infrastructure, and prioritise rail connectivity across northern England. This will come at a cost and I think we are about to see that cost today. Previous pledges were light on detail and the feasibility of swiftly turning political vision into action, but what was clear was that public finances would not allow every programme and project to continue.

“By selecting which projects not to support, the Chancellor is making it clearer where Labour intends to focus government investment and the industry will now have to react. These announcements may be necessary for a new government and a consequence of realignment based on political direction for the UK. However, infrastructure projects and the public and private sectors that deliver them most desperately need long-term certainty and commitment. Without long-term thinking and commitment, investment cannot be sought, skills cannot be developed, and projects cannot be effectively and sustainably planned or delivered.”

TSSA is an independent trade union for the transport and travel industries and its general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said:

“Rachel Reeves has some difficult decisions to make, thanks to the last fourteen years of Tory chaos. However, she cannot allow this to deter her from honouring Labour’s commitment to fix our railways for the benefit of passengers and transport workers.

“Infrastructure projects such as HS2 and the electrification of the railways offer longer term tangible economic and environmental benefits for the whole country.

“Rachel Reeves must avoid the mistakes of the previous government which only ever thought short-term. Long-term investment in the railways will deliver long-term benefits for the whole economy. Funding for rail infrastructure should not be cut, or we’ll all end up paying the price.”

Not all parties are displeased with today’s announcement about the Stonehenge tunnel not moving forward.

The Stonehenge Alliance campaign group chair John Adams said:

“We welcome Rachel Reeves’ recognition that the country cannot afford this extravagant road scheme when schools are falling down and the NHS is in dire straits. However, she should have gone further. The road would be built at a loss and is a bad investment for UK plc. It should have been scrapped altogether.”

Historian and Stonehenge Alliance president Tom Holland said:

“This monstrous white elephant should have been put out of its misery long ago. Until the Government officially terminates the project, it will continue to leech taxpayer’s money. A delay is not good enough. Cancel it now!”

 

Source: Civil Engineer

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FUSION REACTOR: ‘The UK’s Nasa Moment’

By Greig Watson, BBC East Midlands

The project to build a nuclear fusion reactor in Nottinghamshire has been described as the “UK’s Nasa moment”.

But beyond the optimism of an event showcasing the scheme, how close is it to becoming a reality?

Is the promise of clean, cheap and secure energy still obscured by huge scientific, engineering and economic hurdles? And is it safe?

Two experts give us their take.

Former coal fired power station West Burton A, near Retford, was chosen as the location for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), in October 2022.

However, even if investors are found and construction completed on schedule, the facility is unlikely to open before 2040.

Explaining the process, Dr Aneeqa Khan, lecturer in nuclear materials at the University of Manchester, said:

“Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun, where two nuclei fuse together, liberating huge amounts of energy.

“Recreating the conditions in the centre of the Sun on Earth is a huge challenge.

“We need to heat up isotopes of hydrogen gas so they become the fourth state of matter, called plasma.

“In order for the nuclei to fuse together on Earth, we need temperatures 10 times hotter than the Sun – around 100 million Celsius.”

The promise of fusion is great – but so are the challenges

Dr Brian Appelbe, a research fellow in nuclear fusion at Imperial College London, said fusion differed from traditional nuclear power – fission – in several fundamental ways.  He said:

“Fission is about breaking heavy element apart, fusion is about forcing lighter element together.

“The amounts of energy that are released with fusion are far higher than fission.

“And the elements being used, like hydrogen, are far more widely available than the fission fuels. Some, like deuterium, a form of hydrogen, can be sourced from sea water.

“This is a much cleaner source of energy because it makes less radioactive material and it is radioactivity which doesn’t last as long.”

Dr Khan added:

“We are still a way off commercial fusion. Building a fusion power plant also has many engineering and materials challenges.

“However, investment in fusion is growing and we are making real progress.

“We need to be training up a huge number of people with the skills to work in the field and I hope the technology will be used in the latter half of the century.

“Global collaboration is key in achieving this.”

Dr Appelbe said:

“The news about the Nottinghamshire site is very exciting and there is a lot of development happening but we are still at the scientific stage of developing fusion.

“There is a real momentum building and I am optimistic about overcoming the scientific hurdles to building a functioning fusion power plant but I’m not an engineer or economist.

“But I wouldn’t want to put a timescale on it.”

Public opposition has been one of the most powerful obstacles to nuclear power

One of the practical problems which has dogged traditional nuclear power is public opposition, often based around fear of leaks and accidents.

Dr Appelbe said:

“I’d certainly live next to a fusion station. “It uses small amounts of fuel very quickly, so there are not the large amounts of fuel which are around for much longer with fission, which have been the source of some accidents such as Chernobyl.

“This, combined with the challenge of keeping a fusion reaction going, means there is no way you can have catastrophic runaway issues.”

 

Source: BBC News

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Recycled bricks: Decarbonising the Construction Industry

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The embodied carbon of K-Briqs is less than 5% of that of standard bricks

 

Scottish firm Kenoteq has developed recycled brick tech — called K-Briq — to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry.  The company aims to reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials and address the issue of construction waste, which accounts for about 40% of the world’s waste.  Brick manufacturing also accounts for 2.7 per cent of global carbon emissions.

About K-Briq: K-Briqs — made from plasterboard, brick, mortar, rubble, and stone — have a carbon footprint of less than 5% compared to that of standard bricks, Kenoteq’s head of business development Lucy Black said, this is achieved by recycling materials destined for landfills, reducing the need for energy and carbon-intensive raw material extraction and mining.

What’s next? The bricks are currently certified for interior use, with the company in the final stages of securing certification for external applications in the UK, Europe, and the US. The company also supplied bricks for the Dubai Holding exhibition space at COP28 and held meetings at the summit to drum up interest in the region.

Source: Enterprise

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Mortgage Rates Falling

UK mortgage rates have fallen, with the lowest five-year fixed rate dropping below 4% for the first time since April 2024.

Nationwide Building Society is leading the charge, offering a 3.99% five-year fix and cutting other fixed deals by up to 0.25 percentage points.

This follows similar moves by other major lenders, driven by competition and hopes of falling interest rates. The drop in rates could save borrowers hundreds of pounds a month, providing relief for those facing higher repayments as they come off old deals.

While fixed rates are declining, Nationwide has increased the margin on some of its variable rate tracker deals.

The Bank of England’s next interest rate decision in August could see the base rate cut, potentially leading to further reductions in mortgage rates. However, some economists predict that the Bank of England may not cut rates until September.

Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Mortgage rates could fall further, but it is difficult to tell how quickly and by what margins.

“Typically, a brand with a large presence in the market that cuts rates can encourage other lenders to review their rates to compete, so as the lowest five-year rates have edged closer to 4% from some of the biggest high street brands (Halifax, Lloyds Bank, Barclays Mortgage, NatWest), the market did appear on course to reveal a sub-4% deal.

“Borrowers sitting on the fence may remain patient for a little while longer. However, on the flip side, those who feel this might now be their chance could see if they can lock into a deal early, as some lenders will let borrowers do this from three to six months in advance.

“Those waiting for the Bank of England to cut base rate may be crossing their fingers for August, but this has split opinions among economists who are now pointing towards September at the earliest due to stubborn service inflation.”

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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Austrailia Trials Modular to Meet Housing Targets

A pre-fabricated modular home (Facebook/Chris Minns)

Austrailian Premier Chris Minns announced ‘an important milestone in our work to utilise nontraditional methods of delivering more homes sooner’.  Pre-built modular homes will be trialled in New South Wales to boost social housing, as research shows new-home construction targets will not be met.

Sites in Wollongong and Lake Macquarie have been selected to trial modular social homes under a state government trial to speed up the delivery of new homes.

The government is still working through regulatory barriers for modular housing, which has not been rolled out at scale before.

The homes – previously used as temporary accommodation – are constructed using prefabricated modules made off-site to speed up the building process by 20% compared with traditional methods. Housing costs and availability were putting pressure on people in NSW and the state needed to use “nontraditional methods” to deliver homes sooner, the premier, Chris Minns, said on Monday.

“We are pulling every lever we can to tackle the housing crisis,” he said.

The housing and homelessness minister, Rose Jackson, said the trial was a step towards revolutionising public housing delivery.

“Leveraging modern construction methods will help us provide sustainable, quality housing faster for the people that need it most,” she said.

The government was working with the state’s building commission on standards for offsite manufacturing of homes.

 

The Wollongong MP, Paul Scully, said:

“Modular and modern methods of construction are used to produce award-winning architecturally designed homes in a timely and efficient manner, so it makes sense to trial this approach to construction as part of the Minns government’s commitment to build more social housing.”

Research from Oxford Economics Australia on Monday predicted more than one in five of the 1.2m dwellings the nation is trying to build over the next five years will not be completed.

Meanwhile business groups, universities and unions that were part of the Housing Now! alliance called for the appointment of a coordinator general to drive the delivery of new homes in NSW.

The role would direct government agencies to resolve planning challenges, reassess major, unapproved housing projects in a bid to resolve issues and guide government on infrastructure investment.

“A dedicated housing coordinator would cut through swathes of red tape, compel government agencies to address issues and inform cabinet on how to progress major housing projects stuck in the planning system,” said David Borger, the Housing Now! chair.

The recommendation was one of 10 the alliance made in its 2024 policy platform launched on Monday.

Other policies included rezoning to allow housing to be constructed at places of worship, alternative planning pathways for university accommodation, and better security for renters with an end to no-grounds evictions.

Borger was scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into a proposal to develop the Rosehill racecourse in Sydney’s west into a mini-city of up to 25,000 homes.

The inquiry, chaired by the opposition housing spokesperson, Scott Farlow, will examine what role the government played and the associated impacts on transport infrastructure and the horse-racing industry.

 

Source: The Guardian

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STA Says Timber is the Way

In response to the King’s speech the Structural Timber Association (STA) is calling on the new government to prioritise more sustainable building technologies, primarily offsite timber frame.

In her first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves outlined a number of new plans that will aid the government in delivering 1.5 million homes over the next five years. These include reinstating mandatory housing targets for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and opening a consultation on a new approach to planning before the end of the month. However, there is one factor that Ms Reeves failed to consider: net zero. If the same amount of attention currently given to the climate crisis continues, eventually we might not have a suitable place to build new homes.

According to the latest government figures the UK’s built environment is responsible for 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. With this in mind, STA have claimed developers and housebuilders must switch the materials they’re using for greener alternatives – particularly timber. The company have claimed there is existing capacity in the established structural timber manufacturing sector of 120 members to double timber frame manufacturing output to achieve 100,000 homes per annum.

What’s more, the STA remarked that this contribution of 33% of the government’s target would be a huge step forward.

‘The STA whole-heartedly supports The Chancellor’s ambitious plans for housing growth, but we must emphasise that simply building more houses is not enough; we must embrace a fundamental change in the way we build our homes. As a clean technology that offers lower carbon than other building materials, automated offsite manufacture for better quality and shorter construction times, structural timber is the quickest way to bring about this change,’ said Andrew Carpenter, chief executive officer at the STA.

‘The structural timber industry has the capacity and capable to support the new Government in building 300,000 homes a year. With increased automation in offsite manufacture, the structural timber sector can deliver both higher volumes and better quality.’

‘Indeed, many of the major housebuilders are already recognising that we’ve reached a tipping point within the industry, with companies including Vistry, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments, Cala Homes and Avant Homes seeing the benefits of building in offsite timber frame,’ Carpenter added. ‘Our industry requires clear actionable policies, policies that put MMC and Carbon Reduction, and therefore structural timber, at the forefront of supporting government in the delivery of their housing goals. The policies put in place now will have a significant impact on the UK’s ability to deliver housing targets, great places to live and reducing carbon to achieve net zero. This will be the legacy for decades to come.’

Source: NewStart Magazine

 

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Dutch Data Centres with an eye to water conservation

 

The Dutch Data Center Association (DDA) and H2oVortex proudly present their latest whitepaper, highlighting groundbreaking advancements in sustainable water usage for data centres. As global digital infrastructure continues to expand, data centres are increasingly crucial, operating 24/7 to power our digital society. However, the energy-intensive nature of cooling systems poses significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water and energy consumption.

Balancing Act of Water and Energy:

Data centers traditionally use large quantities of water for cooling, which can significantly reduce their overall power consumption. However, this reliance on water, especially during hot summer months, necessitates a transition towards more sustainable practices  .

H2oVortex’s Circular Cooling Solution:

The whitepaper introduces a revolutionary approach by H2oVortex, which reduces the water footprint of data centers by up to 40% and cuts water consumption by up to 95%. This solution employs chemical-free, circular cooling water treatment through three key steps: pre-filtration, treatment, and recovery and reuse  .

Alternative Water Sources:

To further enhance sustainability, data centers are encouraged to use non-potable water sources such as surface water, rainwater, and wastewater. Techniques like Activated Filter Media (AFM) and Membrane Prefiltration (MPF) ensure these sources are viable for cooling purposes, significantly reducing the dependency on drinking water  .

Industry Impact and Future Prospects:

The Dutch data center industry, already recognized for its efficiency, is set to lead global standards with these innovations. By integrating such sustainable practices, data centers can mitigate water stress and contribute positively to local ecosystems  .

“Engaging with stakeholders early, adapting systems used in other industries, and ensuring continuous monitoring and maintenance are essential to maintaining water-efficient operations. These combined efforts can help data centers not only avoid contributing to water stress but also become part of the solution“, says Stijn Grove, Managing Director of Dutch Data Center Association.

Mark Boeren, CTO of H2ovortex, added, “Our technology not only conserves water but also enhances operational efficiency, proving that environmental responsibility and business success can go hand in hand.”

 

click here for the white paper

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High-Quality Lighting Solutions from Offices to Retail Spaces

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Transforming Workspaces: High-Quality Lighting Solutions from Offices to Retail Spaces

TRILUX, a leading provider of innovative lighting solutions, is proud to announce the successful culmination of a seven-year collaboration with luxury Polish brand WITTCHEN. This partnership has transformed WITTCHEN’s headquarters, encompassing office spaces, logistics, and warehouse areas, with superior, energy-efficient lighting that enhances working conditions while minimising power consumption. This achievement has also earned WITTCHEN significant energy efficiency certifications.

WITTCHEN, renowned for its exclusive leather clothing, accessories, and suitcases, operates its headquarters and distribution centre from Palmiry, near Warsaw. Committed to creating a comfortable, inspiring workplace and reducing CO2 emissions, WITTCHEN undertook a comprehensive modernisation of its lighting systems, turning to TRILUX for its expertise.

The collaboration commenced in 2017 with TRILUX developing a bespoke lighting concept for WITTCHEN’s new 3,000-square-metre office building and outlet. Prioritising high lighting quality for employee well-being and safety, aesthetic luminaire design and high energy efficiency, TRILUX installed 544 lighting solutions. This included the award-winning SOLVAN FLOW pendant luminaires, enhancing the office’s interior elegance, and 60 CANILO track spotlights, showcasing WITTCHEN’s luxury products in the outlet.

 

Following the successful office project, TRILUX extended its involvement to WITTCHEN’s logistics centre, installing nearly 300 E-LINE NEXT LED continuous line luminaires across the new 8,500-square-metre facility. With an energy efficiency of up to 190 lm/W and a lifespan of 70,000 hours, these lights ensure consistently low operating costs and exceptional lighting quality. For the warehouse refurbishment, TRILUX provided a combination of E-LINE NEXT LED, MIRONA FIT LED high-bay luminaires, and DEVEO FIT LED moisture-proof luminaires, all managed via the TRILUX LIVELINK light management system.

 

“Throughout the various project phases, we consistently addressed challenges and met WITTCHEN’s needs with solutions that offered long-term investment value,” said Marcin Szymanski, Project Manager at TRILUX.

 

 

Modernising the warehouse lighting and implementing a light management system significantly improved lighting quality and reduced electricity consumption by 120 MWh per year. This efficiency led to WITTCHEN receiving Energy Savings Certificates, accelerating the return on investment. Additionally, the reduction in peak power consumption enabled the installation of a dedicated electric vehicle charging station on the company premises for public use.

 

Hubert Pienkowski of WITTCHEN commented,

“As demanding customers, we value the quality of the products and services we receive. In evaluating potential lighting suppliers, TRILUX met our expectations with its product quality, punctual delivery, competitive prices, and technical support.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about TRILUX

 

 

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Solar Farms or Dependence on Putin

 ‘we can’t carry on as we are’, Rachel Reeves insisting that the UK is in dire need of more energy infrastructure

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has a simple message to those who oppose the government’s plans for three new giant solar farms – not building new energy infrastructure will put us “at the mercy” of foreign dictators.

The move, which could power more than 400,000 homes, was welcomed by campaign groups and industry figures, but it is not without its opposition. Both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire County Councils have opposed the Sunnica solar farm scheme on their borders.

Tory West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy told the BBC the decision to green-light the 2,500-acre project was “quite disgraceful and quite arrogant”, arguing it would divide villages and affect a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Asked if she thought people are going to have to “suck it up” and “tolerate things in their local communities that they don’t want” in the interest of growing the economy, Reeves said the new Labour government will have to make “tough decisions”.

“We can’t carry on like we are. We can’t carry on not building energy infrastructure and not building housing,” she told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.

“Because if we carry on like we are, energy bills are going to continue to go through the roof, we’re going to continue to be reliant on Putin and dictators around the world for our basic energy needs. I’m not willing for our country to be at the mercy of dictators in that way.”

Source: Yahoo News

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Drones could support a new UK housing boom

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

by Joshua Krook, David Bossens and Peter Winter

 

The UK’s new Labor government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes during its first term in office. To achieve this, it promises planning reform and the reintroduction of local housing targets. Yet little attention has been given to the role of new technologies.

Drones have the potential to transform the construction industry in the UK. However, our recent study in ACM Journal on Responsible Computing reveals that laws governing commercial drone deployment in the UK remain conflicting, chaotic, and sometimes, contradictory.

A drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a remote-controlled flying machine often equipped with a video camera or sensors. In construction, drones can monitor site progress, conduct safety inspections and even lift heavy materials, with some models capable of lifting over 20kg.

This makes them a viable, cheaper and safer alternative to human construction workers for certain tasks. For instance, drones could reduce the incidence of workers falling from heights, the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. They can also lower the cost of site monitoring at night and perform safety inspections over large areas of land, aiding in the maintenance of energy pipelines and other infrastructure projects.

Despite these advantages, the UK’s drone policy is a patchwork of local bylaws, national legislation, and retained European Union (EU) rules, creating a confusing landscape for companies to navigate.

For example, to operate a 250g drone in a busy urban area, a company must register the drone, undergo pilot training, secure insurance, and obtain operational approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This involves designating a flight plan, conducting risk assessments and completing other administrative steps.

Companies must then consider legislation on privacy, data, harassment (for drones that use cameras), noise and human rights, including the potential redundancy (or reskilling) of human workers.

Specific laws also apply to drones in construction, including lifting regulations, worker health and safety laws, and laws governing the transport of various construction materials and substances. Some of these laws differ on a local, national and international level.

This increases the regulatory burden on construction companies, making it more challenging to operate efficiently. Paperwork for the CAA’s approval process for higher-risk commercial use cases can introduce delays to large-scale construction projects. Currently, there is minimal transparency on which projects get approved or denied, leaving business uncertain about their investments until approval is granted.

New framework

Our study proposes creating a new national framework for commercial drone deployment, encompassing all benefits and risks under a single law. We suggest that certain use cases, particularly in regional areas, be greenlit quickly and by default, even for heavier drones.

Line-of-sight requirements—where operators must maintain a line of sight with their drone at all times—should be relaxed in hazardous areas. This could actually enhance worker safety by allowing drones to operate independently without requiring workers to follow them into dangerous situations.

In addition to humans, the law must also protect flying animals (such as birds and bats) and insects (such as butterflies and bees), especially those that are in danger of extinction.

The environmental impact of drones needs to be carefully evaluated, including the risk of fire if drones are carrying chemicals or other dangerous materials.

The UK government should leverage national scientific and technical expertise to produce how-to guides, compliance manuals, and other tools to expedite the approval process.

These resources would allow best practices to proliferate in the industry. Off-the-shelf flight paths, algorithms and application programming interfaces (APIs)—a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other—should be available for companies to operate in designated zones without lengthy documentation processes.

Basic plans should be made for drone “elevators” to operate internally in construction sites, to lift heavy materials between floors.

Unifying laws

National legislation could streamline all the attempts to mitigate the risk posed by drones into a single unified law. This would address privacy, noise, safety, human rights concerns, and the environment in one go.

This would include noise profiling, to ensure that drones operating in cities meet specific maximum noise levels. It would also encompass clearer guidance for businesses on the uses of drones that were permitted and those that are prohibited. A new drone law for commercial use could also specify technical requirements, safety features, privacy protocols, and cybersecurity measures to keep hackers out.

The current laws governing drone use are based on the notion that a human decides the drone’s trajectory. As AI becomes more integrated into decision making and moves towards full autonomy, some thought will be required about regulating AI itself.

Who will be responsible if a control program does not work as intended? What kind of disclaimers are needed? Another consideration is that AI techniques are based on statistics over limited data. This means that they may never achieve the ISO safety standards that form vital benchmarks for the construction industry.

Integrating drones into the UK’s construction industry could significantly benefit a new housing boom, providing cheaper, safer, and more efficient construction processes. However, the government must embrace this technological revolution and establish a more robust drone policy and regulation to pave the way for future advancements.

 

Source: Techxplore

 

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