AN ESG TALK DELIVERED BY JADE, RAISING AWARENESS FOR BINGE DRINKING Administration & Accounts Assistant Jade Wall recently delivered our first ESG Matters talk of the year, focussing on binge drinking. Jade unveiled some alarming statistics and encouraged a healthy discussion within the team.   Swipe through the carousel below to discover how binge drinking is defined, and actions you can take if you are affected.

COVENTRY BUILDING SOCIETY ARENA - WED 11TH MARCH Our first exhibition of the year will be taking place on 11 th  March, at the CBS Arena, Coventry.   Bridges Conference 2026 will explore how innovation, collaboration and adaptability are reshaping the way bridges are conceived, delivered, and maintained. You can find us at Stand C10, and ticket information can be found HERE .   Let us know in the chat below if you will be in attendance - we would love to meet up for an informal discussion!

TWEEDSMUIR, SCOTLAND PROJECT OVERVIEW This 7m span, 3.56m rise, 21.4m length asset MultiPlate MP200 single radius arch was constructed over a burn at Whitelaw Brae wind farm. Construction of Whitelaw Brae is currently in progress, and is anticipated to be fully commissioned and operational by the end of 2026. Once operational, it will be capable of generating up to 149,400MWh of clean electricity per year (powering around 45,000 average UK homes), and delivering 65,300 tonnes of emissions reductions. We were approached to design and supply a steel culvert over a watercourse, which would provide the main access track to enable turbine foundations as well as transportation of turbine masts, rotors and blades. The asset MultiPlate MP200 culvert is to be backfilled with a road running over the top, in order to facilitate transportation requirements. PROBLEM SOLVED Due to the need for efficient transportation, the burn running through the main access route was the main problem to be solved within this project. Our asset MultiPlate corrugated culvert provided the ideal lightweight solution; a perfect application in remote environments where heavy lifting equipment was not required. Using corrugated steel in culvert and bridge design also offers substantial savings in design cost and installation time. ESG During the planning and installation stages of this project, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) were the main consideration due to the protection of the watercourse. SEPA protect, manage and improve Scotland's water environments, which are fundamental for safeguarding biodiversity and ensuring that Scotland’s unique aquatic wildlife is protected. In addition to the watercourse, due to the modular nature of asset MultiPlate, there was minimal disruption to site during installation. This had a positive impact to local wildlife within the area.

WE COMBINED FESTIVE JUMPER DAY WITH OUR LAST ESG TALK OF THE YEAR We combined Festive Jumper Day with our last ESG Matters talk of the year -  Sparkle Appeal .   Our Management Accountant  Matthew Jones  talked us through the incredible work that Sparkle do in supporting children and young people with a disability or developmental difficulty living in Gwent, South Wales.   Sparkle provide facilities and activities for recreation, leisure, sport and family engagement, supporting hundreds of Gwent children and young people with complex needs, and their families. We are proud to be supporting Sparkle with an upcoming charity donation.   For more information, please visit HERE

AN ESG TALK BY KOH, IN LINE WITH MOUTH CANCER AWARENESS MONTH This month’s ESG Matters talk focussed on raising awareness for mouth cancer.    In line with Mouth Cancer Awareness Month, our Technical Sales & Estimating Manager  Koh  talked us through the facts, warning signs, risk factors and tips for preventing mouth cancer. We learnt how to conduct a 2-minute self examination, as well as how to help spread awareness.   Mouth Cancer Awareness Month is all about sharing knowledge. Tell your friends, family, and co-workers to look after their oral health, encourage regular check-ups and open up the conversation. More information can be found in the carousel below:

MONDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 12:30PM - 1:30PM Exciting announcement!   We are delivering a Lunch & Learn through  The PWI  on Monday 25th November from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.   Our presentation will be an exploration of technical solutions, showcasing our innovative approach to rail infrastructure and addressing the many environmental challenges we face, while embracing future technological advancements.   To book your FREE space, please visit:  https://www.thepwi.org/event/infrastructure-under-pressure-designing-for-durability-and-adaptability/

AN ESG TALK DELIVERED BY VICTORIA MCTAVISH In line with World Menopause Day which took place on 18th October,  Victoria McTavish  delivered an informative ESG Matters presentation to the team. Menopause affects half the workforce directly and men indirectly (colleagues, partners, friends). Creating understanding boosts team morale, gender equity, and employee retention. Thank you Victoria for helping to raise awareness.

GUILDFORD, SURREY PROJECT OVERVIEW 40m of asset BaFix 70 was required as part of ongoing maintenance issues along the Nightingale Road trainline, Guildford. asset were asked to provide a concept to solve a failing masonry retaining/parapet wall issue caused by buddleja growth, which destabilised the retained wall structure. The project was in a difficult to access area, positioned behind a row of terraced houses. The permanent works solution to a 40m section (as instructed by Network Rail) called for our innovative ballast retention system due to reduced installation times whilst backfilling, compared to installing ballast boards. PROBLEM SOLVED The asset BaFix 70 system had to be positioned behind the retained structure, in order for the failing masonry parapet to be removed and rebuilt, and all vegetation removed. Installation was completed over one weekend possession to avoid disruption to train operating companies and passengers, by carrying out work during known hours with no rail activity. ESG The main ESG consideration for this project was social value. Installation noise was kept to a minimum during night working, as asset BaFix doesn't require large machinery to install. The amount of retention achieved meant that no further possessions were required. Re-using existing brickwork also removed the need for further masonry construction to take place, which would have caused disruption to local residents.

NEC BIRMINGHAM - WED 15TH TO THURS 16TH OCTOBER Our final exhibition of the year will take place at  Highways UK  on 15th and 16th October! We will be on Stand J55, showcasing our innovative range of infrastructure solutions designed specifically for the road sector within the UK and internationally. We look forward to seeing you there!

AN ESG TALK DELIVERED BY OUR MD, RICHARD MCTAVISH Our Managing Director  Richard McTavish  recently delivered an ESG Talk to the team, highlighting the symptoms and diagnostics of Pectus Excavatum. Pectus Excavatum, also known as funnel chest or sunken chest, is a structural deformity of the chest wall where the breastbone (sternum) is abnormally sunken into the chest. Thank you Richard for raising awareness of this debilitating condition, and for sharing your knowledge with the team. More information can be found in the carousel below:

LUNCARTY, SCOTLAND PROJECT OVERVIEW asset International Structures Ltd developed an elliptical 30m span E30mT asset BEBO arch solution for the A9 Dualling scheme at Luncarty, Scotland. The wide span allowed the structure to be built over an existing watercourse without disturbing the natural streambed, and to also accommodate an access track linking agricultural land on either side of the new highway. PROBLEM SOLVED A new road was required over a watercourse (within a green belt area) as part of the Dualling scheme, with the aim to make the route safer and increase capacity. The chosen structure needed to blend into the surrounding landscape not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from an ESG standpoint. ESG asset BEBO Green Bridges have been designed with surrounding wildlife and ecosystems in mind. The E30mT asset BEBO Green Bridge was ultimately chosen due to its slender sections and bevel end finish, reducing social impact and providing connectivity to the surrounding areas of Luncarty.

NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES PROJECT OVERVIEW The asset FRP Access Steps located over a concrete floodwall at Corporation Road Floodgate, formed part of the flood remediation package at Stephenson Street to protect local businesses and housing. Due to increased speed of installation and to keep the program on track, asset FRP was utilised for this project. The versatile material complies with all applicable standards, including meeting the new standard for accessible and inclusive environments BS 8300. PROBLEM SOLVED The asset FRP solution enabled easy public access across the flood wall to help maintain the Wales Coastal Walk route. The 2m high concrete wall underneath the new steps acts as a sliding floodgate to protect nearby properties. The main driver for this project was to provide access over the floodgate (as it is a public right of way), hence why asset FRP was chosen as the solution. ESG There are many ESG benefits of installing the modular asset FRP system in this environment, including: Improved social connectivity Low carbon footprint material Sustainable development Flood mitigation Environmental protection Our asset FRP products also elevate site safety by reducing the risk of accidents with lighter handling materials, minimising the need for heavy machinery use. This also contributes to the low carbon impact of the solution.