Construction contractors looking at planning documents


Construction projects to watch out for in 2020

15 November 2020

Last year, we showed you some of the construction projects that were either starting or completing their construction cycle in 2019, as well as some updates on the state of how some lengthier projects are coming along.

We have taken another look at some of the construction projects with key milestones coming up in 2020. Read on to find out more.

The Channel Tunnel Interconnector

The Channel Tunnel Interconnector Project is due to be completed in August 2020 after a 3-year construction cycle. The idea of the project was to install a cable between two new converter stations in Folkstone and Coquelles in France, which would bring energy into the UK to meet our needs.

Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme

The A14 road in East Anglia will see some improvement as part of the Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme, which has upgraded 21 miles of road and added new road connections and bridges. A 750 metre viaduct has been added which has rerouted utility cabling and piping. The project has cost Highways England £1.5bn. Improvements to the A1 road from Scotswood to Brunton will also start construction in 2020.

York Community Leisure Complex

Last year, the York Community Leisure Complex was under construction and was scheduled for completion in 2019, however, delays have led to the stadium now expected to be opening in 2020.

The complex will feature the 8,000 capacity York Community Stadium for York City FC and York City Knights Rugby League Club, as well as swimming and dance facilities, outdoor and indoor sports pitches and a gym. The facility will also feature an indoor climbing area and an aerial high rope course.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

In August 2019, work began on a new Student Centre and Civic Square at UCLan in Preston, costing around £60m. The project will finish completion in 2020, to regenerate the City and attract more students to the area.

Durham University

As part of their strategy, Durham University is building a new site to allow student numbers to grow to 21,500 by 2027 with room for a student hub, events hall, gym, music rooms and a mixture of student accommodation types. Work is due to finish on the site in the summer of 2020.

Everton FC

Everton FC has recently reached an agreement to use land on the Bramley-Moore Dock in North Liverpool for a new stadium. The club is hoping to have planning permission approved in 2020, with construction taking 3 years to complete following the approval. The project is estimated to bring £1bn into North Liverpool’s economy.

Forest Green Rovers FC

The world’s first and only 100% vegan friendly football club have had outline plans for their 5,000 capacity stadium accepted by Stroud District Council. Following an application rejection in June 2019, the plans for the wooden stadium, named Eco Park, have been accepted. 2020 will be a key year for the stadium, as it will face an appeal in February, but if all goes well, plans can proceed in 2020.

Edinburgh Rugby

Edinburgh Rugby has had planning permission granted to build a 7,800 capacity stadium in the shadow of Murrayfield Stadium, the Scotland Rugby Union Team’s ground. Following the ground-breaking in 2019, the stadium is set to be completed before the start of the 2020/21 season.

Luton Town FC

Luton Town has almost finished their journey of moving into a new stadium, which is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The regeneration of an old industrial site will also look to bring apartments, hotels, retail space and food and drink facilities to the city centre.

Cranes skyline at sunset

Eden Project North

A project close to home for Premierline, the new Eden Project coming to Morecambe is looking to bring 500 new jobs to the area, as well as an estimated 3,000 visitors a day, which will have a huge impact on Morecambe’s economy. The site is pencilled in to commence construction at some point in 2020.

The London Resort

In 2020, an application will be made to the Dartford Borough Council, Gravesham Borough Council and the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to build one of the biggest construction projects in Europe, The London Resort.

The site of the new theme park is only 17 minutes away from Central London on the bank of the Thames and is estimated to be the size of 136 Wembley Stadiums. The theme park will have 7 different themed zones for visitors to enjoy, whilst opening 3,500 hotel rooms. There will also be new access roads added to the A2. 

Midland Metropolitan Hospital

The Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick near Birmingham was also one of the projects halted by the downfall of Carillion. The project is currently on hold, awaiting the new contractor, Balfour, to restart the work following the signing of a new contract. Work on the project is likely to start again in 2020.

Contractor meeting on a construction site

The Spire, Canary Wharf

The Spire, the new 67-floor residential skyscraper in Canary Wharf, will finish completion in 2020. The new building will be the tallest residential tower in Western Europe, topping out at 771ft above ground level. The building is currently facing delays due to insufficient emergency escapes to the upper floors,

Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council has moved forward with their plans to build new council housing and apartments using modular construction. The biggest modular council development in the UK will provide 28 homes, and is set to open to tenants in early 2020. The 9 month construction time is a huge decrease from the 24 months it could take to build regular housing of this size.

Large construction projects can be unique and come with their own set of risks and challenges. For a construction business, insurance must be a top priority to protect you if something were to go wrong. As careful as you may be accidents happen when you least expect, so having the right business insurance is essential to maintaining the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

Whether you are a large construction business or a contractor such as a carpenter, electrician or plumber we understand that one size does not fit all and your business activities are as unique as your insurance requirements. We can arrange a bespoke insurance solution to meet your unique business needs. To review your insurance requirements, call us today and speak to one of our insurance advisors.

It is important to make sure that you have the right insurance in place to protect the business that you have built. Every business is different and has its own business insurance needs, which is why we work with some of the UK’s most well-known insurers to ensure that you are getting the right insurance cover for your business.
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