Weekly round-up 14 May 2014

Runway debate, Chinese to rebuild African railway, Nick Raynsford wins smoke alarm vote. The week's top stories.

Jackie Whitelaw
13 May 2014

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1. Heathrow and Gatwick airports have submitted updated expansion plans to the Airports Commission in the battle to win permission to build the UK's next runway. A decision will be made in 2015. Heathrow upped its compensation offer to the 750 homes which would need to be demolished to 25% above market value, at an estimated cost of £550M. And the airport proposed a congestion charge for passengers travelling to the airport by car. Gatwick argued its expansion plans would cost £7.8bn and were cheaper and could be delivered quicker than Heathrow. And it claimed £10M more passengers a year would be able to travel with a second there there than a third at Heathrow. Heathrow Hub which is proposing an extension of the existing runways at the airport said its plans had the potential to end night flights.

2. A jury in Dallas, US has awarded a Texas family $2.925M (£1.7M) in a trial based on air quality medical problems allegedly caused by fracking. They argued that they had been exposed to hazardous gases, chemicals and industrial waste – chiefly through the air – and that this resulted in significant health problems and drove them from their home.

3. National Assembly for Wales has confirmed a £500M investment in road improvements including a plan to relieve congestion on the M4 at Newport. Another £300M will go towards completion of the dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys artery by 2020. And a further £200m will help finance a new specialist cancer care centre in Cardiff.

4. Consultant MWH has won the up to £200M deal to manage Southern Water’s £1.6bn investment programme over the next five years. 

5. WSP has been appointed by Transport for London to develop options and make recommendations for a London Overground station to link to the proposed HS2/Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common

6. Joined up planning for both passenger and freight traffic across the UK’s road and rail infrastructure is crucial for future prosperity,  the Commons Transport Select Committee has warned in a report. In a separate document the committee says effective regulation and long term funding plans are essential for investment in the strategic road network.

7. Nick Raynsford MP’s quest to get legislation to make smoke alarms in rented property compulsory moved a step forward when his 10 Minute Rule Bill was supported by 245 MPs to 8. Next stage is a second reading, to be announced.

8. A joint venture between Amey and Sersa has been named as preferred bidder for a contract to renew switch and crossings across two thirds of the UK in  Scotland, the north of Wales, East Midlands, London North East, and London North West. The core contract is worth up to £400M over 10 years, however it sets the foundations for further enhancements work which AmeySersa believe will be in the order of £150M as the railway system continues to expand.

9. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has announce its national housing prime and Scotland and Northern Ireland prime contracts, worth in total £1.1bn have been won by a Carillion/Amey joint venture. Interserve subsidiary, Landmarc Support Services won the national training estate prime deal worth £322M.

10. Formal agreements for plans to build a new railway line in East Africa 90% funded by the Chinese have been signed in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The line is to run from Mombasa to Nairobi and will extend eventually to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. In Kenya, the line is to replace a narrow-gauge track built more than 100 years ago during British colonial rule. China is to finance 90% of the £2.3bn first stage, with work carried out by a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company.