Back bites and other bits: 23 August 2006

Pole position

The Tories' demand for a cap on immigrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania ahead of them joining the EU may be a tad premature.

The UK construction industry has opened its arms to thousands of 'Polish plumbers' since 2004, and anecdotal references indicate they're better than many of those already here. But East European construction workers may soon have bountiful job opportunities much closer to home.

After a decade in the doldrums, the German construction industry has officially come out of recession, according to companies in the sector.

Hans-Peter Keitel, chief executive of Germany's biggest contractor Hochtief, says: "After almost 10 years of recession in the construction sector, it is a highly important development: the market is moving upwards, even if it is in small steps. If this development can continue, then construction can resume its traditional role as the motor of the German economy."

With all the construction activity planned for the UK in the next five years, it might be unwise to put a block on Romanian roofers and Bulgarian brickies, just when the German construction industry is recovering.

Putting in the legwork

Everyone knows that the stress of moving house can lead to frayed tempers, but most of us don't run the risk of being eaten by our new housemates.

Dozens of rare cave spiders have been discovered on a derelict disused air-raid shelter near Papworth Hospital is Cambridgeshire. The spiders, which will be moved before construction work starts, have only been found in a dozen places in the UK. But the move of just a few hundred metres is a delicate task. The spiders are to be put in 100 separate boxes - to stop them eating each other - and moved to a new shelter.

CRASH sees red

CRASH is asking the industry to go red on Friday 15 September for CRASH Red Friday, to help raise funds for the homeless. Staff of construction companies are asked to wear something red to work (both to the office or site) and make a donation to the CRASH Hard Hat Appeal.

The charity's 15th anniversary fundraising appeal, aims to raise £200,000 in 2006, which is double CRASH's usual annual fundraising income.

The money will be used to improve the lives of individuals who are temporarily or permanently homeless in the UK today.

If you and your colleagues would like to participate in the Red Friday campaign, go to: www.crash.org.uk/events/hardhat-appeal.lml.

Brownie points

CJ readers are being offered an unusual recycling opportunity. If you've got some spare slightly-used shuttering or ply, then the Guides and Scouts in Great Yeldham, Essex, would be pleased to hear from you.

Their 22-year old hut floor is in a dangerous state and has a tendency to splinter. They've been given some safety flooring by Altro, but really need some ply to even the floor and give it a smooth surface for laying the new flooring.

So, if you've got 110m² of ply that's in good condition, they'd be delighted to hear from you - and could even come and collect from somewhere close. If you can help, e-mail Ken MacDonald-Fawcett on: k.mf@wadedrainage.co.uk.

Number of the week

175.2: Value, in £m, of July CJ50 winner Skanska's forward orders.

Quote of the week

"Floating is not a catalyst for change, but for continuous improvement." David Sterry, managing director, May Gurney

[Contract Journal, 23 August 2006, p 43]