NEWSBRIEF

PFI HOSPITAL COUNT

The number of private finance initiative hospitals under construction now stands at 15 after approval was given to a Carillion-led consortium to build a new £96 million district general hospital in Swindon. Thirty-seven new hospitals have been given the go-ahead since May 1997, 31 of which are funded through PFI.

Amec scoops £137m Hong Kong rail contract

Amec has won a £137 million contract on the first phase of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation's West Rail project in Hong Kong. The contract covers construction of Yuen Long and Long Ping stations. The award is Amec's third on the project and its total contracts are now worth £360 million. Amec's partners include Hong Kong Construction Holdings, China Railway Construction Corporation and China Everbright Holdings Co.

Taywood's £100m London office scheme

Taylor Woodrow Property won planning consent this week for its £100 million Europe House office scheme at St Katherine Docks in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The scheme, designed by Richard Rogers Partnership, comprises 15,732m2 of offices on seven floors with 1,380m2 of ground-level retail and restaurant space overlooking the yacht marina.

RETHINK OVER WEMBLEY'S MASTS

Lord Foster and HOK Lobb, the architects for the £570 million redevelopment of Wembley stadium, are looking at alternatives to the four 130m masts originally planned. The masts are intended to be modern successors to the famous Twin Towers that are to be demolished along with the rest of Wembley next month. Three or four options are being considered.

FOUR-YEAR BAN on company director

John Cast, a company director of building contractor Highview Services of Hook, Hampshire, has been banned from being a company director for four years. Highview went into voluntary liquidation on 30 July 1997, with debts of around £271,880. Cast, of Yateley, Camberley, Surrey was found guilty of failing to make appropriate payments to the Government and entering into a transaction that was not in the interest of Highview or its creditors.

Stranger awarded asbestos licence

The Health and Safety Executive has awarded the asbestos consultancy division at Stranger Science and Environment a licence for the supervision of work with asbestos insulation or asbestos coatings. Stranger currently provides asbestos-related services to local authorities, facilities managers and property owners.

Where there's a wheel there's a way

The millennium ferris wheel is finally towering over the River Thames following a two-day operation over the weekend. The first attempt to crank the 1,500 tonne wheel off the ground fell through when one of a series of sockets holding high-tension cables onto the wheel's rim suddenly slipped. This was completely overhauled and sponsor British Airways remains confident the wheel will be working in time for New Year's Eve and the first paying customers will be on board in early January.

Hull stadium report finalised

Drivers Jonas has completed a feasibility report commissioned by Kingston upon Hull City Council, for the £36 million Hull community super stadium. The scheme comprises a new home for Hull City football club and two rugby league clubs, along with an education centre, multi-purpose arena and outdoor sports pitches.