An old oil rig fabrication site in Hartlepool is set to be the home of a precast concrete tunnel segment factory for HS2, creating over 100 new jobs.

Austria’s largest construction firm Strabag will build the facility to fulfil a 36,000 segment contract for its joint venture with Costain Skanska delivering twin bored tunnels from HS2’s new Old Oak Common station to Green Parkway running underneath Northolt.

To be located at Hartlepool Dock, owned and operated by PD Ports, construction of the new factory will begin in January 2022 to start production of 6-tonne precast concrete tunnel segments will commence in December 2022.

Work will start by redeveloping the exterior land parcel to suit the segment storage requirements and rail logistics platform.

Former oil rig fabrication site at Hartlepool Port

Then focus will turn to the internal fit-out which will house an advanced automated segment carousel and reinforcement hall.

Robots will also be controlled by telemetry to produce the high quality reinforcement cages required for each segment.

HS2’s chief commercial officer, Ruth Todd, said:“The decision to manufacture the segments not only in the UK, but in a new facility in the North East, is another demonstration of how HS2 is having a positive impact on regional economies across the UK and helping the country to build back better after the pandemic.”

Andrew Dixon, Commercial Director at Strabag said: “This new production facility in Hartlepool and our existing precast factory in Wilton for the Woodsmith Mine project underline our long-term commitment to the region.”

This contract is the second of two for precast concrete tunnel segments for HS2’s London tunnels.

Pacadar UK will be delivering 58,000 segments for the first London tunnel being constructed between West Ruislip and Green Park Way, in Ealing. The combined length of HS2’s London tunnels being constructed by SCS JV is 26miles, the same length as Crossrail.

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Agreement has been reached for the sale of the last of four stalled Elliot Group schemes after the developer collapsed into administration following the arrest of founder Elliot Lawless.

Administrators for the company’s £70m hotel scheme on Norfolk Street in Liverpool’s Baltic tech district have exchanged contracts with the scheme’s original investors.

HBG Insolvency Ltd will now put the sale proposal before the High Court for final ratification.

The 306-bedroom property had secured planning permission and construction had commenced, before ceasing when investors decided not to continue funding the project following Lawless’s arrest in December 2019.

Lawless said: “When my schemes were placed in administration I made a promise that I would work ceaselessly to help secure each site’s sale and protect the interests of investors, so I am delighted that my final stalled scheme is to be acquired by its original investors.

“The process, as with the other administrations, has been handled by a third party under strict rules and I sympathise with investors whose bids for The Residence and Infinity weren’t successful.

“It has not been easy but with flexibility and good will on all sides the administrators have been able to ensure that all of my stalled projects will now be placed in the hands of new owners and move forward to completion.

“What this latest deal reinforces is that my projects were always very good schemes in prime locations.  I’ll take considerable satisfaction from seeing them completed.  If you take a look at the outstanding job done by the investors who bought Aura in Liverpool, for example, you can see that the original vision for each project can still be delivered in the right hands.”

No charges have ever been brought against Lawless and he says he “looks forward to Merseyside Police concluding their investigation.”

Outsourced CIS payroll provider and Umbrella Company Crest Plus has passed its latest HMRC compliance inspection.

HMRC’s inspection team regularly carry out compliance checks on payroll companies like Crest Plus, assessing approximately the tax agents per week.

In the latest check HMRC’s agent conducted an in-depth analysis of Crest Plus’ tax return service, exploring how they maintain compliance standards throughout the process.

Detailed checks were carried out on the multi-step procedure, from how they compliantly engage with clients; carry out and evidence the returns; communicate assurances with clients; and finally submit the tax return.

Val Lawton, Managing Director at Crest Plus said: “One of our core values has always been and always will be that we put compliance first. The importance of operating compliant systems and processes can’t be undervalued in our sector, especially as we aim to provide the highest level of customer care to our clients and agency partners.

“Passing this inspection was a great achievement and a satisfying reward for our teams who work hard day-in, day-out to ensure rigorous checks are carried out and regulation is always followed to the letter. We’re very proud of our tax return procedure and happy with the positive feedback from HMRC’s inspector.”

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A new asbestos vacuum cleaner launched by Vac UK promises a step change for the disposal of asbestos-contaminated materials.

The Longo Cyclone vacuum cleaner has been revealed by Vac UK and represents an exciting new development in the management of potentially deadly asbestos fibres. If offers both improved protection for operators and a big increase in the volume of material that can be handled.

The Cyclone fits directly to a vacuum excavator to enable the safe extraction of contaminated materials into sealed “big bags”. Exhaust air is filtered and safely discharged to the atmosphere. This allows the hazardous material to be safely handled and transported away from site. The system also offers the potential to be operated by remote control.

Patrick Curran, Vac UK Director said: “No one is under any illusions that asbestos is nasty stuff and the precautions and protections employed to handle it are entirely appropriate.

“Against that background, the Cyclone is a real gamechanger – it has the potential to raise the level of protection provided to asbestos teams and to speed up the material’s management.

“We are very excited about this development. It continues our philosophy of exploring new applications for vacuum excavation and introduces another innovative machine to the UK – hard on the heels of our public unveiling of the latest Longo Rhino vac ex earlier this month.

“It also builds on our ambition to make available for hire and sale only the most high tech and best quality vacuum excavators and related equipment.”

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