The Department for Transport has reiterated that it “remains committed” to the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme, but says the long-awaited upgrade will only be “considered carefully as further funding becomes available”. The programme is intended to relieve the heavily constrained Ely North and Ely Dock Junctions, a key bottleneck for freight from the Port of Felixstowe and passenger services across East Anglia. Continued uncertainty over funding timing leaves planners and contractors unable to firm up designs, phasing or possession strategies for the multi-junction rail works.

Three major European tunnelling contractors have been appointed to develop the next phase of fixed-link proposals that could replace several Shetland inter-island ferry routes with subsea road tunnels. The firms will assess technical and economic feasibility for a test-case tunnel, likely involving long subsea drives in complex North Atlantic geology with high overburden, strong currents and aggressive marine conditions. Outcomes will influence design standards, ground investigation scope and construction methodology for any future multi-tunnel programme across the archipelago.

John Graham Construction has been appointed main contractor for the University of East London’s £45m New Academic Building in Stratford, the flagship element of a £170m Stratford Health Campus. The facility, scheduled to start on site in early 2026 and complete by summer 2027, will house medical and healthcare teaching and research subject to General Medical Council approval. Targeting BREEAM Outstanding, the design leans on cross-laminated timber, low‑carbon construction methods and circular design principles, signalling strong demand for high‑performance sustainable materials and detailing.