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Construction forecasters bet on delayed soft Brexit

Forecasters predict construction will just avoid an output decline this year if a soft Brexit is finally delivered.

But economists for Experian warn that their forecast of sluggish growth would have to be ripped up if the UK crashes out of the European Union with no deal.

The latest forecast for the next three years predicts construction will see a weak 0.4% rise in workloads this year followed by a return to stable but below trend growth of between 2.5%-3% in 2020 and 2021.

Forecasters now presume a “soft Brexit” will be the eventual outcome, with the UK gaining similar access to the EU single market as it does currently.

“We fully anticipate that such a deal could take longer to conclude than the initial transition period, and we do not expect a Brexit deal related bounce back in output growth to materialise until 2021,” says the report

It also assumes the planned  Wylfa nuclear power station is not cancelled and the road building programme does not slip, as some in the industry fear.

Of the three key construction sectors housing and infrastructure are expected to experience good growth while there is weakness in the non-residential building sectors, like offices, retail and education.

It will probably not be until towards the mid-2020s that this profile unwinds.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/01/18/construction-forecasters-bet-on-delayed-soft-brexit/

Balfour boss in Brexit blast at Chancellor

Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn is reported to have taken part in a conference call with ministers last night after the Government’s Brexit deal defeat,

Sky News said Quinn and bosses from Tesco and Amazon voiced their concerns to a trio of ministers including Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Quin is reported to have asked: “I would like to know when we might get back to a normal functioning government.

“Decisions are being delayed on HS2, new nuclear, Heathrow expansion.

“The enemy of business is delay and procrastination, and the construction industry will face large-scale restructuring where it cannot carry the resources it will need over the next 25 years, and capability will have to be let go.

“Once resources are lost to industry it is very difficult to get them to come back; the next six months are critical.”

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/01/16/balfour-boss-in-brexit-blast-at-chancellor/

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Mini robots plan to fix underground pipes

New micro robots will be built to repair the country’s underground pipe network and cut the disruption caused by road excavations.

Scientists from four British universities will use a £26.6m government investment to develop 1 cm long robotic devices that use sensors and navigation systems to find and mend cracks in pipes.

The traffic closures and disruption to businesses of these roadworks is estimated to amount to more than £5 billion.

Robots will also be developed to be sent sent to hazardous work places such as offshore wind-farms and nuclear decommissioning facilities.

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “While for now we can only dream of a world without roadworks disrupting our lives, these pipe-repairing robots herald the start of technology that could make that dream a reality in the future

“From deploying robots in our pipe network so cutting down traffic delays, to using robots in workplaces to keep people safer, this new technology could change the world we live in for the better.

“Experts in our top UK universities across the country are well-equipped to develop this innovative new technology.”

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport said: “The projects announced today demonstrate how robots and artificial intelligence will revolutionise the way we carry out complex and dangerous tasks, from maintaining offshore wind farms to decommissioning nuclear power facilities.

“They also illustrate the leading role that the UK’s innovators are playing in developing these new technologies which will improve safety and boost productivity and efficiency.”

The £26.6 million government funding boost is part of the modern Industrial Strategy, investing in the technologies of tomorrow and creating high skilled jobs across the country.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/01/03/mini-robots-plan-to-fix-underground-pipes/

£196m Barking rail extension awarded