UK Business Briefs: scour, SUDS, and new appointments

Building industry research body, CIRIA, has published a new guidance document, Manual on scour at bridges and other hydraulic structures, intended to address the issues faced by engineers engaged in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of structures in water courses. The guidance is designed to describe how to quantify the effects of scour on erodible beds and banks and how to protect against it.

CIRIA has also announced that the BOC Foundation – a philanthropic organisation aimed at reducing pollution – has contributed £45,000 to the construction industry organisation’s research projects on sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), £15,000 to SUDS techniques, and £30,000 to mode agreements for sustainable water management systems. A gap still exists in the implementation of SUDS due to a lack of clear maintenance agreements and a comprehensive design guide, a situation that the new research is intended to improve, says CIRIA.

Two firms have announced their latest movers and shakers this week. Firstly, Waste Recycling Group has appointed John Bevan – formerly Technical Services Director at engineering and construction firm Costain – as its new Operations Director. Bevan will be starting his new appointment on 1 November, and will take his place on the Group’s executive committee. He will provide a single group operations focus, with all of Waste Recycling’s waste management, energy and quarrying operations divisions reporting to him.

The second appointment is at carbon management firm Greenergy, where James Thompson has been appointed Finance Director. Thompson has spent 15 years in senior finance positions – as a chief financial officer of a multinational company and as a senior investment banker.