INBRIEF

Norwest lays off staff

The 180-strong workforce at Norwest Holst steelwork subsidiary George Depledge has been laid off as NH has failed to sell the company despite 20 inquiries. A spokeswoman said that fabrication was finished but existing contracts would be honoured.

crash barrier danger

New concrete crash barriers are dangerous and will increase the number of road deaths, according to a new report by the journal Safety Quarterly.

HK post for urquhart

Ken Urquhart has taken up a post as consultant heading up the safety team on the new airport terminal building at Chep Lap Kok in Hong Kong for the BCJ jv.

College fees 'spiralling'

College training fees are already spiralling in the wake of government changes in public funding arrangements, according to the CLG, CIEC, and CIC, which have combined to issue a 'one voice' statement expressing concern over a 'dramatic reduction in training funding'.

PowerGen boss heads ECIA

Brenig Williams, currently business manager of PowerGen, has been appointed to succeed John Porter as chief executive of the ECIA.

j.laing appointment

Steve Lidgate, chief executive of Laing Homes, has been appointed a director of John Laing. Lidgate joined Laing in 1992 from Beazer Homes and Property.

CM not so popular in US

The popularity of construction management in its pure form may be declining in the US, according to ENR magazine's ranking of the top 100 CM firms. Total fees billed were down almost 20%.

construction growth

Construction output increased 2.5% in 1994, the first year of growth since 1990, according to the latest market report by Gardiner & Theobald.