NEWSBRIEF

SLOWDOWN IN NEW ORDERS

The total value of new construction orders won by contractors in October was £2.28 billion, down 6 per cent on September's figure of £2.43 billion, according to the latest statistics from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Among the casualties were: private and public sector housebuilding which slumped nearly 21 per cent to £484 million; infrastructure which fell 24 per cent to £423 million; and private industrial down 20 per cent to £189 million. The one bright spot was private commercial which rose 20 per cent to £936 million.

CITB WARNS OF SKILLS SHORTAGES

An additional 74,000 people will be required next year in construction despite a downturn in much of the economy, warned the Construction Industry Training Board last week. The CITB said the extra people are required due to a greater proportion of the workforce retiring, low unemployment and a 2.5 per cent growth in construction business. Trades in need of most recruits are: carpenters and joiners (10,100); electricians (7,000); bricklayers (6,000); plumbers (5,600); painters (4,500); and general civil engineering operatives (4,400). The CITB also predicted that 7,900 managers and 6,200 clerical staff would also be required. Over 21,000 people will be needed to meet demand in London and the South-east.

£10.7M TUNNEL FOR NUTTALL

Edmund Nuttall has won a £10.7 million contract to construct the Kentish Town cable tunnel in North London for the National Grid Company. The project is part of the Tottenham to St John's Wood cable refurbishment scheme and involves constructing 1,800m of 2.54m internal diameter tunnel. Two shields with backacters will be used for the tunnel drives.

CUTTING SITE DEATHS

New guidance to cut deaths and injuries from vehicle accidents on construction sites has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive. On average, vehicle accidents account for 15 per cent of all construction fatalities and between 1991/92 and 1995/96 resulted in 72 deaths and over 500 major injuries. The 34-page guide gives details on: how to provide a safe workplace; selecting and maintaining vehicles; safe driving and work practices; and the role of client, contractor and others in managing safety.

HOUSEBUILDING ON THE WANE

Further signs that housebuilding activity is flattening are revealed in provisional figures from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions which indicate that the number of houses started in October fell dramatically compared with the same month last year. Housing starts were down 18 per cent to 14,200. Figures from the National House-Building Council for November show that completions were 9 per cent lower than a year ago. The NHBC also reported that applications to build private housing dipped 17 per cent compared with November last year.

TOP JOBS FOR CONSULTANTS

Two of the country's premier consulting engineers have announced the appointment of new chairmen. At Mott MacDonald, which ranks as the UK's top international earner with a fee income of £150 million, Tim Thirlwall is taking over as chairman from Robert Beresford who is retiring. Mike Blackburn takes on Thirlwall's previous job as managing director. While at Allott and Lomax, Alan Smith is the new chairman of the 500-strong Manchester-based consultancy.

ABBEY NATIONAL OUTSOURCES

EC Harris and Nelson Bakewell have each won property-based contracts for Abbey National for a three-year period starting in January. The Property Development and Project Management services have been outsourced to EC Harris which will look after the design, procurement and delivery of all building projects. Nelson Bakewell will provide a range of property and financial management services for the bank's occupational and tenanted property portfolio.