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BOXTEXT: RICS calls for drop in interest rates

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has called on the Bank of England to consider dropping interest rates to maintain price stability in the housing market. It said that a cut in interest rates may be necessary in the next few months to achieve a sustainable equilibrium, following the continuing turmoil in foreign economies and weakness in domestic financial markets.

Heathrow Tunnel collapse trial date set

The trial of Balfour Beatty Engineering and Austrian tunnelling firm Geoconsult over the 1994 tunnel collapse at Heathrow airport is to begin on 11 January 1999. The Health and Safety Executive has brought separate charges against the companies over alleged failure to protect staff and others from risk during construction of BAA's Healthrow Express rail link. The companies pleaded not guilty to the charges before Uxbridge Magistrates Court in May this year. No one was injured in the accident which was estimated to have cost BAA more than £50 million.

HSE to hold euro regulations meeting

The Health and Safety Executive is telling plant hirers not to panic about the effects of new European regulations which require mobile equipment which is hired or leased out from 5 December to be fitted with roll-over protective structures. It is chairing a meeting for trade organisations on 30 September to discuss potential problems.

Halla denies hyundai takeover talks

Halla has denied that its construction business is set to be taken over by rival Hyundai. However, Hyundai is standing by the story that the deal is taking place. Harry Debruijn, Hyundai's European sales manager said: "Of course I would expect them to deny that they are in discussions with us. But you have to remember that it is the family. The heads of Hyundai and Halla are brothers and Hyundai actually helped set up the Halla construction business by putting a lot of money into it."

Paddington basin gets green light

The first regeneration scheme at London's Paddington Basin was given the green light last week by Westminster City Council. The Council's Planning Committee announced it had resolved to grant planning permission for the £159 million-pound housing scheme being developed by Frogmore Estates and Rialto Homes.

improved Road surfaces reduce accidents

Improvements in the UK's road surfaces over the last 10 years have contributed to a fall in road accidents, the Highways Agency announced on Monday. Despite traffic having increased by about one third over this period, road deaths have reduced by a similar amount and are now lower than when records began 70 years ago, due to the Highway Agency's skidding resistance policy for trunk roads and motorways.

Laing appoints new commercial director

The civil engineering operation of John Laing Construction has appointed Roy Hill as commercial director. He will take responsibility for the division's business development, overseeing all marketing, estimating, tender planning and design management activities.

CITB equal opportunity research project

The Construction Industry Training Board has launched a research project to boost the recruitment of black and Asian youngsters in construction. Information gleaned from the project will be used to develop a practical plan to boost the numbers of young black and Asian recruits.