My, some folk have been quick off the mark this year: the government on high-speed rail, Masdar on its zero-carbon accounts, Bellway鈥檚 boss on getting to work, and nearly all Dubai on Dubai鈥檚 great 鈥榮ecret鈥�
Top speeds
Transport minister Geoff Hoon shelved a 拢5bn road-widening plan last week and instead announced the formation of a company called 鈥淗igh Speed 2鈥� to examine the feasibility of a TGV-style London-to-Scotland rail link. But a quick search at Companies House reveals that the government has also registered the names High Speed 3 to 6. With construction of the 拢16bn Crossrail project officially kicking off this week, could this be the start of a rail bonanza for the construction industry?
Who let the dogs out?
Psst! Which celebrated British architect got into a row with a prestigious London architectural school? It seems a creative student used images of the architect in an end-of-year project last year. This included a mocked-up funeral cortege, featuring the esteemed designer buried alongside employees past and present in a pastiche of a Chinese emperor surrounded by terracotta warriors. The architect鈥檚 鈥減eople鈥� reacted badly, calling for the poor pupil鈥檚 head and threatening all kinds of dire repercussions. However, when the architect himself found out what had happened, he called off the hounds and phoned the student to apologise personally. Which begs the question: just how much control do these starchitects have over their entourages?
Chercher le boss
I wonder if Bellway boss John Watson grasps the full impact of the recent row with shareholders over the directors鈥� generous bonuses. Contacted by 好色先生TV at an admittedly early hour last Monday, the likeable chief exec was more concerned with finishing his breakfast than defending his 拢275,000 payment. This Monday, following the shareholder revolt, an 8.15am call found Watson in his car in the Newcastle rush hour. Given the frenzied media coverage of the row I was perhaps a little surprised not to find him already at his desk.
Tower of babble
Dubai鈥檚 most closely-guarded secret is no more. On our recent visit to the world鈥檚 tallest structure, the Burj Dubai, the project director from contractor Besix refused to confirm persistent rumours that the tower has reached a final height of 818m on the grounds that developer Emaar was desperate to keep it secret until its opening on 9 September. We even heard the magic figure from our driver, who had been told by a builder on the tower itself 鈥渁t a party鈥�. Even Wikipedia鈥檚 on to it. What more proof do you need?
A grave matter
What We Pay Our Taxes For, part 28. This week, the Ministry of Justice issued long-awaited practical advice for 鈥渂urial ground operators鈥� on 鈥渕anaging the risks associated with unstable memorials鈥�. Or, looking after graveyards. The 17-page document admits the risk of injury by gravestone is 鈥渧ery low鈥�, but advises that a visual or hand check can help assess hazards. If you are confused as to how a 鈥渉and check鈥� is administered, the Ministry of Justice can help: 鈥淏y standing to one side of the memorial and applying a firm but steady pressure in different directions to determine to what degree, if any, the headstone is loose.鈥� Next week: How To Tie Your Shoelaces.
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