FM Conway to service the square mile

The City of London Corporation has awarded a £50 million contract to FM Conway, the specialist infrastructure provider. Under the contract FM Conway has been given an extensive remit to carry out maintenance and construction work throughout the City of London. Their responsibilities will include all bridges, carriageways and drainage systems. The contract will last for five years with an option to extend for a further five years, and it takes effect in July 2022.

The new deal comes on the heels of FM Conway's appointment in 2021 by Transport for London as one of several contractors appointed to its £800 million framework, which put them in charge of renewal work on London's road tunnels, bridges and river assets along with Costain and Kier.

The latest award further consolidates the company's growth, secured by long term contracts which will boost its turnover. FM Conway's MD James Tallon said: "With our continued drive for smart solutions, our ability to adapt through new technologies and our drive for low-carbon alternatives, we will work with the City of London Corporation to deliver an accessible, sustainable and well-maintained public realm that respects the City's unique heritage."

Scottish road maintenance

After a closely fought bidding process, Transport Scotland has announced the preferred bidder for its £540 million road maintenance contract covering the north-east of the country. The successful company is Amey, who will assume responsibility on 16th August 2022 and retain it for at least the contracted eight years. There is also an option to extend the contract for another four years. The contract is due to be signed and executed by the end of April.

One of the key objectives of the new contract is to reduce carbon-emissions throughout the region's trunk road network. An important target of the scheme is to replace at least 50% of the car and van maintenance fleet with ultra-low emission vehicles by the end of 2025. Other measures to achieve net-zero include the installation of charging points for electric vehicles at central offices and depots as well as dedicated parking.

Ports framework

Associated British Ports is implementing a nationwide design and build framework for UK ports. The contract is worth £414 million and will last for five years. In addition to design and build, the arrangement may also extend to construction-only projects but will be limited to port buildings.

Several contractors have been appointed, including Robertson, Knights Brown, JN Bentley and C Spencer. The award comes at the same time as Robertson won a place on frameworks in Yorkshire worth £640 million. The firm's share of the ports contract could be £126 million.

Green aerospace

Aviation is regarded as one of the most polluting industries in the world, however technological advances are rapidly changing this. The UK government is committed to an ambitious programme of sustainable aviation which has been managed by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) since 2013. The goal of the programme is to develop new ultra-low-emission and zero-carbon aircraft. This year the programme is to receive a significant boost to its resources with an injection of £685 million of public money over three years until 2025. Co-funding from the industry will increase the total investment to more than £1 billion.

ATI has been involved in several innovative projects in the past few years, with Rolls Royce and ZeroAvia among other global names. The UK government's industry minister Lee Rowley commented on the programme, which is set to continue at least until 2031: "These projects are making a real-world impact and could one day help the global aviation industry transition to net zero. Today's commitment is a sign of our increasing ambition, and will give large and small businesses the confidence to invest in the technologies that will bring civil aviation into the next generation."

The ATI programme will open to new funding applications in April 2022.