The Week That Was - 13 February 2026

Welcome to the week that was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.

Liverpool Street Station Development given go-ahead

The redevelopment of London’s Liverpool Street Station has received planning approval, clearing the way for a mixed-use scheme above the Grade II listed station after officers accepted there would be heritage harm but that the scale of commercial development was required to deliver the station improvements. The project includes more than 88,000 square metres of office space along with new concourses, lifts, escalators and step-free routes, alongside new ticket gates and entrances.

Officers said the commercial development proposed above the station was directly linked to funding the works and without the over-station development, station upgrades could not be delivered without public funding. The planning application attracted significant opposition during consultation, however officers concluded that the public and economic benefits of delivering a futureproofed transport hub outweighed the identified heritage harm. Approval is subject to a Section 106 agreement; highway works under Section 278 and confirmation that the application is not called in by the secretary of state.

Read the full article here.

Teenage demolition worker's death results in contractor jailed

A self-employed contractor has been jailed for 12 months following the death of a 19-year-old worker after a fall during demolition works in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey. 

The man fell through an opening while removing tiles from a garage roof on 16 August 2023 and died from head injuries several weeks later.  A Health and Safety Executive ("HSE") investigation found the contractor had failed to implement basic fall‑prevention measures, with work carried out directly from the roof without scaffolding or protective systems. 

Further serious failings were identified, including unsafe mini-digger use, lack of site security for the public, and no asbestos assessment; concrete sheets being broken and removed by hand were later found to be made from asbestos cement, exposing workers and the homeowner’s family to risk.  The individual has pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.  HSE stressed that even small contractors on domestic projects have legal duties. 

Read the full article here.

Kier wins £35m contract for Bristol Temple Meads

Bristol Temple Quarter LLP has appointed Kier to act as the main contractor, under an open procedure, on the development which makes up part of the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration programme.

Bristol Temple Quarter LLP is a joint venture between Bristol City Council, Homes England and the West of England Combined Authority. While not part of the joint venture, Network Rail, will be acting as a delivery partner to aid in the operational integrity and station infrastructure.

The development is one of the largest regeneration schemes in Europe involves seven-storey multi-storey car park, a three-storey cycle pavilion, a new walkway and southern entrance into Temple Meads station and a fully segregated pedestrian footway and two-way cycleway with a new bus stop and walking facilities.

Read the full article here.

Fire safety 'shortfalls' at Hinkley Point C trigger enforcement action

Inspectors from the Office for Nuclear Regulation ("ONR") have identified “significant” fire safety shortfalls at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station site in Somerset. 

Following an investigation, it was discovered that combustible waste was found on an emergency stairwell - while not blocking an exit, it was determined this could impede access during a fire.  The site also lacked an adequate fire risk assessment and had insufficient escape routes for the number of workers on site. 

Hinkley Point C said it is working with its contractors to improve upon safety. The ONR stressed that fire safety is a legal requirement and warned it will act where standards fall short. 

Read the full article here.

Esh wins £2.25m to upgrade sheltered homes with Thirteen Group

Esh Construction has secured a £2.25m contract to refurbish Beechfield Court, a 65-apartment sheltered accommodation scheme in Middlesbrough, working with Thirteen Group under its Capital Investment Framework. 

The project will upgrade essential building services and modernise communal areas, including a public café and hair salon.  Works comprise extensive heating improvements (replacement of communal and in-flat pipework and a full boiler room upgrade), electrical enhancements to support new warden-call and door-entry systems, and wider access control upgrades.  Residents will benefit from full communal redecoration using fire-safe coatings, new carpet and vinyl flooring, and replacement of smoke ventilation windows. 

Thirteen Group engaged closely with residents to ensure the refurbishment meets current and future needs, aligning with its homes standard to provide warm, energy-efficient accommodation.  This scheme seeks to build on previous collaborative projects between Esh and Thirteen in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. 

Read the full article here.

Skanska UK has won a £273m contract to redevelop One Appold Street

One Appold Street, a 1980s building, will be structurally refurbished, with most of the existing concrete and steel frame being retained.  This refurbishment will include the addition of six new storeys, creating a 14 storey, office led scheme with about 33,400 sq. m office space and 4,460 sq. m for leisure and hospitality.  The project also includes a new building front to align with other surrounding Broadgate structures. 

The client, Broadgate, a joint venture between British Land and GIC, has appointed Piercy Company as architect and Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil to deliver ME services. 

The scheme targets NABERS 5–5.5* and BREEAM Outstanding, with circularity and embodied carbon reduction central to the design.  Construction works have already started, with completion expected in Q1 2029. 

Read the full article here.

With thanks to Kelly Smith, Oliver Clarke and Emma Donovan

Disclaimer: The information in this publication is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  We attempt to ensure that the content is current as at the date of publication, but we do not guarantee that it remains up to date.  You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.

If you have any queries please do get in contact with a member of the team below, or your usual RPC contact.