Record 3m tonnes steel construction pipeline

Aaron Morby 9 years ago
Share

The Government has highlighted it support for steel construction by unveiling plans to use 3m tonnes of steel in infrastructure projects by 2020.

It hopes the huge pipeline will allow manufacturers and specialist contractors to better plan and bid for Government contracts.

Click for UK steel pipeline.

Present procurement guidance requires central Government procurers to consider “the social and economic impact of the steel they source” on projects worth over £10m rather than go for the cheapest option.

As well as providing greater visibility on upcoming projects needing steel, procurement guidance has also been extended to include projects below the current threshold of £10m and those from local and health authorities.

Contractors working on all public jobs will also have to advertise their steel requirements to give UK suppliers a chance to compete.

The move is part of a package of measures to protect the domestic steel industry as it faces financial meltdown in the face of cheap imports.

Sarah McCann-Bartlett, Director of the British Constructional Steelwork Association, said: “The release of the forward pipeline of steel projects for England will provide steelwork contractors and the steel supply chain with more clarity on future demand for fabricated steelwork.

“This adds to the information already available for Scotland and Wales and will help with key investment decisions.

From roads to rail, defence to nuclear, the new data shows that central government infrastructure projects will need enough steel to build the equivalent of 173 Wembley stadiums – or 3 million tonnes worth of steel across 18 separate projects.

Government plans to start publishing its indicative future steel requirements on an annual basis, initially looking forward to 2020.

It complements the new National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, which set out over £500bn worth of planned private and public investment over this Parliament and beyond.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Ben Gummer said: “We will always strive to get the best value for money for taxpayers and we are going to do so in a way that strengthens our economy and bolsters the long-term prosperity of people across the country.

“I don’t want contracts going abroad if the best value for money bid is a British bid with all the social and economic benefits that brings.

“By updating our procurement approach on these major infrastructure projects we are creating a level playing field for UK steel.”

The procurement guidance changes will not just apply to steel but other materials as well, including ceramics, cement and aluminium.

Latest news

Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Council building revival and rent reform feature in social and affordable homes plan
3 hours ago

Keltbray bounces back with £3.2m profit

Tighter controls and smarter project selection fuel strong turnaround
3 hours ago

VINCI JV wins 500-home twin town centre revamps

Chester Northgate phase 2 and Northwich Weaver Square schemes move to delivery stage
3 hours ago

80 energy projects unlocked as Ofgem backs grid expansion

£24bn energy networks deal gets green light from regulator
1 day ago

How to see your stories on the Enquirer

Join our Suppliers and Buyers directory to get your news published
3 hours ago

Henley lands Midland Mill revamp on Leeds tower scheme

Restoration of 18th-century mill kicks off on South Bank regeneration project
3 hours ago

New boss at Eric Wright Civil Engineering

Gavin Hulme takes top job as Diane Bourne moves to group role
11 hours ago

Pinewood submits £1bn data centre plan

Studio giant adds green and learning spaces to tech hub blueprint
1 day ago

Record results after TClarke goes private

Britain's biggest M&E contractor flourishes after de-listing
1 day ago

Dalkia lands £200m nuclear maintenance deal

1,000 nuclear FM staff to join M&E contractor
1 day ago

Construction comeback to outpace wider economy

Arcadis forecast fueled by spending review optimism
2 days ago

First steel goes up on giant car battery site

Severfield gets to work on McAlpine Somerset site
2 days ago

Permasteelisa wins cladding deal on Bovis city tower

Facade specialist lands package at 60 Gracechurch Street
1 day ago

Fox buys recycled asphalt specialist Fisher

Acquisition adds major recycled asphalt capacity in north west
2 days ago

Major Building Safety Regulator shake-up to end tower delays

HSE stripped of control and top fire chiefs brought in to fast-track stalled schemes
2 days ago

Hinkley trio sign Sizewell civils deal

Balfour,Bouygues and Laing O'Rourke form Civil Works Alliance for new power station
2 days ago

£3.9bn data centre plan for Ravenscraig steelworks

Green energy to power massive new steel to silicon AI campus
2 days ago

Breakthrough on HS2’s second longest tunnel

8.4 mile Northolt to Old Oak Common drive completes
2 days ago

Neilcott on fast-track to debt-free employee ownership

£22.5m loan nearly paid down after big profit year
2 days ago

TfL kicks off race for £700m Tube station upgrade

South Kensington and Elephant & Castle top the pipeline list
2 days ago

Corbyn Plant Hire fleet goes under the hammer

Kit to be sold off by sister firm to collapsed groundworks contractor
2 days ago

Government wields procurement stick on late payment

New rules would block slow payers from bidding on big public jobs
5 days ago

Hercules buys power line labour firm for £15.7m

Labour supply specialist snaps up Advantage NRG to tap booming electricity upgrade market
5 days ago

Universal bid to fast-track planning for theme park

Entertainment giant eyes 2026 start at Bedford site
5 days ago

Developer Breck to transform former Ibstock brick factory

Ravenhead works to become 300-home development
5 days ago

SP Energy Networks awards contracts worth £1.4bn

First round of awards under £5.4bn national electricity grid upgrade programme
6 days ago

Travelodge to convert Liverpool Street office building

Office-to-hotel conversion in City of London
5 days ago

Plans lodged for 1m sq ft City of London office

Barbican landmark building will reuse 40% of existing structure
6 days ago

PTSG acquires roofing specialist HD Sharman Group

Premier Technical Services Group expands building maintenance division
5 days ago

Balfour Beatty lands £833m carbon capture power plant job

Work to start later this year on Teesside carbon capture gas-fired power station
6 days ago