In brief

Wates wins £5m NetPark contract
Wates is to construct Durham University office and laboratory research facilities worth £5m at NetPark, a new science and technology estate being promoted by Durham County Council at Sedgefield.

Nine firms win top safety awards
Clancy Docwra; Coleman and Company; DSM Demolition; Hughes & Salvidge (Portsmouth); IQ Project Solutions; John F Hunt Demolition; Kiernan Construction; Technical Demolition Services; and Timloc Building Products have all won British Safety Council National Safety Awards for their below-average accident rates.

CC to quiz education secretary on funding
The Construction Confederation is due to meet education secretary Charles Clarke next week to protest against schools being allowed to tap into building and maintenance funds to help pay teachers, funding for vocational and academic courses, skills gaps and apprenticeships.

Ashe chalks up £6m education jobs
Ashe Construction has chalked up £6m of new education work covering Watford, Sonning-on-Thames, Coventry and Southampton.

Atkins helps DEFRA data research
Atkins has won a commission to assist the Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on future management-related issues concerning flooding and coastal management.

Anglo Holt to convert listed manor house
Anglo Holt Construction has won a £6m contract from IM Properties to convert the 1873 Grade II listed Coleshill Manor in Warwickshire, into offices by January 2004.

Double contractwin for G Pearce
G Pearce has won a £5.2m contract to design and build 96 apartments in Bristol forSt Monica Trust and a £1.5m deal with Ashley House plc to construct a health and day care centre in Basingstoke by February 2004.