CMA approval clears the way for major HSS ProService and Speedy Hire partnership

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CMA approval clears the way for major HSS ProService and Speedy Hire partnership

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Australia’s top scaffolding projects recognised at 2025 industry awards

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Australia’s top scaffolding projects recognised at 2025 industry awards

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In Pictures: GKR completes major temporary roof structure at HS2 Euston

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In Pictures: GKR completes major temporary roof structure at HS2 Euston
GKR Scaffolding has completed a large temporary roof structure at HS2’s Euston site. The installation sits beside the live station and supports enclosed works that are expected to continue for the next 12 months. Project overview
  • Roof span: 32 metres
  • Apex height: 9.5 metres
  • Roof length: 76 metres
  • Track length: 130 metres
  • Weight: 98.4 tonnes
  • Build time: eight weeks
The structure provides a controlled and fully screened environment for complex activities on the Euston project. It has been designed so it can move as works progress, allowing teams to maintain activity without affecting nearby piling operations. A key element of the project is the use of a rebar-free foundation system. The bases can be removed and reused as the encapsulation moves along Cardington Street. This is intended to support a faster programme once follow-on works begin. GKR delivered the installation in collaboration with the MDJV project team, temporary works specialists and Network Rail. The images will show the scale of the roof, the encapsulation detail and the track system used to relocate the structure as construction advances.  

UK Construction output edges up just 0.1% in the third quarter

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UK Construction output edges up just 0.1% in the third quarter
Construction output in Great Britain rose by only 0.1% in the third quarter of 2025, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The industry also grew by 0.2% in September. The ONS said the picture remains uncertain. It has revised its earlier estimates for both July and August. August output was first thought to have fallen by 0.3%. It has now been revised to a sharper fall of 0.5%. July was first reported as 0.2% growth, then downgraded to zero, and has now been revised again back to 0.2% growth. Across the quarter, new work fell by 0.2% while repair and maintenance rose by 0.6%. Four of the nine construction sectors grew. The strongest performer was private housing repair and maintenance, up 2.9%. The weakest was private new housing, down 1.9%. In September, all monthly growth came from new work, which increased by 0.7%. Repair and maintenance fell by 0.5%. New orders rose sharply in the quarter. They increased by 9.8%, worth an extra £1.08bn. Most of this came from private commercial and private industrial projects. Construction is still performing slightly better than the wider economy. UK GDP fell by 0.1% in September and showed no growth in August. It also fell by 0.1% in July. GDP for the third quarter as a whole rose by 0.1%, matching construction. Clive Docwra, managing director at McBains, said the figures offer limited reassurance. He said the market remains “a mixed bag”. He highlighted the fall in private housing and the drop in new orders over the quarter, which he described as worrying signs. He said the industry faces a difficult winter. He called for the government to use the upcoming budget to support infrastructure investment and help stabilise the economic outlook. He also said that scrapping stamp duty could give a useful boost to housebuilding.

Hong Kong launches construction safety drive after serious incidents

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Hong Kong launches construction safety drive after serious incidents
Hong Kong has begun a city-wide crackdown on unsafe practices in the construction sector after a series of fatal and serious accidents. The Labour Department said the operation began on 8 November. Inspectors will carry out unannounced checks across a broad mix of sites, including new-build projects, repairs, maintenance and alteration works. Officers will focus on high-risk tasks such as work at height, scaffolding and demolition. Officials said they will take “stringent enforcement actions” where breaches are found. This includes suspension notices, improvement notices and prosecutions. The department will also increase oversight of safety training providers and continue wider efforts to promote safe working across the industry. Investigations into recent incidents are continuing. The Labour Department said duty holders would face prosecution if they are found to have broken safety laws. Hong Kong’s regulations allow for fines of up to HK$10 million (about £1,000,000) and prison terms of up to two years for employers or contractors who fail to comply. Employees who break the rules can be fined up to HK$150,000 (about £15,000) and jailed for up to six months.

4D Structures and PERI UK join forces to build one of Glasgow’s tallest towers

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4D Structures and PERI UK join forces to build one of Glasgow’s tallest towers
A 21-storey student accommodation building is rising on the banks of the River Clyde, as specialist contractor 4D Structures partners with PERI UK on the Glasgow Central Quay redevelopment. The project, led by main contractor GRAHAM for UNITE Students, forms part of a major regeneration scheme transforming the city’s waterfront. It will eventually include four accommodation blocks, one of which will become one of Glasgow’s tallest structures. 4D Structures is delivering seven reinforced concrete cores and thousands of square metres of slab work on the busy site, located beside the Clydeside Expressway. To meet the demanding construction schedule, the firm is using PERI’s proven formwork and climbing systems, including the RCS Rail Climbing System, TRIO Panel Formwork, and SKYDECK Slab Formwork. “The level of communication from every member of the PERI team has been excellent from design to delivery,” said Paul McMenamin, contracts manager at 4D Structures. The PERI systems provide a safer, faster, and more cost-effective method of constructing high-rise concrete frames. The RCS system allows the formwork to climb with each level, while the lightweight SKYDECK components can be handled manually, reducing crane dependency and speeding up cycle times.
Paul McMenamin, contracts manager at 4D Structures and Scott MacIntryre, field sales manager at PERI UK on site at Central Quay.
Scott MacIntyre, field sales manager at PERI UK, said: “Every component is manhandleable, so no machinery is needed for assembly. Once the team sets up one area, it becomes a highly repetitive and fast process.” The two companies have worked together for more than a decade, building a relationship that both describe as essential to the project’s success. “We understand how they work, what they need, and can design accordingly,” added MacIntyre. As construction progresses, the Central Quay project stands as a clear example of how long-term collaboration and modern formwork technology can drive safe and efficient delivery of complex concrete structures. Image: 4D Structures is using PERI’s formwork systems to deliver the cores and slabs for UNITE Students’ accommodation at Glasgow’s Central Quay.

ScaffPlan launches 3D scaffold design tool within SketchUp

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ScaffPlan launches 3D scaffold design tool within SketchUp
ScaffPlan has unveiled a new tool that lets scaffolders design and plan scaffolding projects directly in the popular 3D modelling platform SketchUp. The software, called ScaffPlan for SketchUp, aims to make professional scaffold design faster and more accessible by combining ScaffPlan’s engineering intelligence with SketchUp’s intuitive 3D interface. Built by scaffolders and design engineers, the platform bridges the gap between basic 2D drawings and more complex CAD systems. It enables users to build full 3D scaffolds, including tube and fitting, system scaffolds, and towers, using realistic scaffold behaviour. Simon Boyes, Director and Founder of ScaffPlan, said the launch was designed to bring high-quality design tools to the people doing the work. “We built ScaffPlan for the people who actually do the work,” he said. “This software makes professional design accessible industry-wide in a way that’s fast, visual and practical.” Users can automatically generate gear lists, align and connect components as they would on site, and share clear, build-ready information. The software also supports project pricing, logistics, and verification by producing live part counts. According to ScaffPlan, the tool can help reduce rework, improve client communication, and increase bid win rates by providing clearer 3D visualisations and more accurate planning. “Every wasted hour on site starts with unclear planning,” Boyes added. “ScaffPlan gives scaffolders full control over design and communication, ensuring everyone, from estimator to crew, works from the same clear plan.” The company says the SketchUp version is best suited for residential, commercial, and industrial access projects. Larger contractors managing BIM-integrated workflows may prefer ScaffPlan for Tekla. ScaffPlan for SketchUp launched globally on 10 November 2025. Watch the demo: scaffplan.com/demo/sketchup

Scaffolding contractors boost profits with building wrap partnership programme

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Scaffolding contractors boost profits with building wrap partnership programme
Scaffolding contractors are adding a new revenue stream to their businesses through a partnership programme that allows them to profit from building wraps without taking on the work themselves. Surrey-based Lavastar manages the entire building wrap process, from survey and design through to printing and installation, all whilst enabling scaffolders to earn commission on referred work or mark up the service within their tender packages. The arrangement means contractors can turn what might otherwise be lost opportunities into profitable additions, responding to the growing number of tenders that specify building wraps without needing their own graphics capabilities.

Growing demand creates opportunity

Building wraps have become increasingly common on construction sites across the UK, serving multiple purposes beyond hiding scaffolding. They contain dust and debris, reduce noise pollution, provide weather protection and create advertising space. Clients now regularly specify building wraps in their tender documents, particularly for high-profile developments where site presentation matters to planning authorities and local communities. For scaffolding contractors, this represents a commercial opportunity. However, taking on unfamiliar services without the right capabilities can bring complications.

How the partnership works

Lavastar’s model removes those complications. When a scaffolder receives a tender requiring a building wrap, they contact the company for pricing, which can be included in their overall package. The scaffolder marks up the service as they would any subcontractor element. If the work must be quoted directly through Lavastar, the company builds commission into its costs for the referring contractor. Once a contract is won, Lavastar conducts a free site survey and provides drawings showing what framework will be added to the scaffolding structure, along with calculations for the additional loading. The scaffolder’s only responsibility is ensuring their scaffold design can accommodate those loads, which is standard practice for any structural addition. Everything else, the artwork development, client liaison, printing, framework installation, and wrap fitting all remain with Lavastar.

In-house capability

The company handles all stages internally. Its design team works with clients’ marketing departments to develop graphics at no extra charge. Printing uses ultra UV-resistant inks on PVC mesh materials that allow wind and light through whilst reducing structural loading. Installation teams fit Kee Klamp framework systems 300mm proud of the scaffolding, creating what the industry calls a drum-skin finish. This taut, professional appearance extends the wrap’s lifespan by preventing contact with scaffold tubes. All projects include risk assessments and method statements meeting site safety requirements. Recent work includes a collaboration with Sky Scaffolding on a wrap for Warwick Castle, where Lavastar’s services were included in the scaffolder’s tender package.

Track record

Based on the outskirts of London, Lavastar has worked on building wraps for over 25 years. The firm recently won gold at the UK Sign & Graphic Awards for transforming scaffolding around Wakehurst’s Elizabeth Mansion during roof restoration. Other projects include 2,400 square metres of wrap at Mayfair’s Lazari Building and various heritage sites requiring trompe l’oeil treatments—photographic reproductions of building facades used during restoration work. The company operates nationwide, covering Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow. Different installation methods suit varying budgets and project durations, from premium long-term solutions with full framework systems to simpler direct-fix approaches for shorter contracts. Scaffolding contractors can contact Lavastar on 01252 850818 or visit: https://www.lavastar.co.uk/building-wraps/ for more information.

Equinor awards £1.25bn scaffolding and maintenance contracts for onshore plants

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Equinor awards £1.25bn scaffolding and maintenance contracts for onshore plants

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Scaffolders’ tough day as runaway lorry crashes into house

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Scaffolders’ tough day as runaway lorry crashes into house

A lorry loaded with scaffolding has collided with a house near Bristol, damaging two cars before coming to rest against the property.

The incident happened at around 10 am on Friday in Oldland Common, a residential area on the outskirts of Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police said the lorry was unoccupied at the time and confirmed that no one was injured.

Photographs from the scene show the scaffolding vehicle lodged against the front of a house, with visible damage to the structure. Two cars parked nearby also appear badly damaged, one with a broken bumper and another with deep scrapes along its side.

Credit: BBC

A police spokesperson said: “An unoccupied lorry has reportedly rolled into a house on Malvern Drive in Warmley. Thankfully there are no reported injuries. Police are at the scene pending the attendance of a structural engineer to assess the safety of the building and recovery of the vehicle.”

Officers remain on site on Friday as engineers assessed the damage before the lorry could be safely removed.

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