CPA Bulletin

Nick Johnson’s tail piece Nick Johnson nick.johnson @ constructionplant.info Tail Piece ALL CHANGE FOR BIRCHAM NEWTON www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > February 2018 59 In the last issue I waxed lyrical about the new plant simulators that had recently been installed by the CITB in its National Construction College at BirchamNewton in Norfolk. This £1.2 million investment seemed to auger well for the continuation of this world-class plant training facility. But, between writing my words and their arrival on your desk, the CITB had announced its new Vision 2020 strategy that includes the proposal to exit direct delivery of training through the National Construction College. I have been a big fan of the plant training carried out at Bircham Newton ever since I attended two Young Engineers Courses - Cranes and Earthmoving Appreciation Plant Appreciation - back in the 1970s. And subsequently, as a construction plant writer, I have had many visits to report on the latest activities at this unrivalled plant training resource. Practical plant training is one activity that, in my opinion, the CITB does very well. Whilst Bircham Newton is not the most centrally located place in England, it does provide excellent facilities and its knowledgeable instructors are a credit to the industry. A CHALLENGE If practical plant training ceases at BirchamNewton I think that it would be a real challenge for the industry. Particularly as many newmachinery drivers will be needed in the future to complete major infrastructure projects such as HS2. There may well be the possibility of the plant (and other practical) training at Bircham Newton being taken over by a private company. But the economic challenge is whether any private provider could, or would, provide the same level of training at the same cost, as that currently delivered by this unique facility under direct CITB control. Another proposal within the CITB’s Vision 2020 strategy is the cessation of services like the administration of the CSCS and CPCS industry card schemes. So, if these important schemes are to be privatised, will industry bodies maintain the input and influence that they currently have through the current arrangements with CITB? Any transition must be properly planned and smooth brought about to avoid disruption to operators’ ability to work on site. YET ANOTHER CAMERA? Many more construction machines are now being equipped with 360° camera systems to satisfy ever more exacting health and safety requirements. But could there now be a need for a screen view from underneath a machine as well as from the rear and the sides? My question stems from the actions of protestors now camped locally beside HS2 enabling works. Local press reports indicate that activists have staged a sit-in under a digger in bid to stop trees being cut down during site clearance in preparation for the new high-speed rail link. The sight of a HS2 protestors’ camp near Harefield brings back memories of the long running protest, fronted by “Swampy”, during the construction of the Newbury bypass in 1996. If environmental protests against the new high-speed rail line intensify then both site and machine security will presumably have to be stepped up accordingly. CULT CALENDAR Late in November last year I was thumbing through a complementary copy of The Sun newspaper whilst having a snack in a coffee shop in London. Amongst the many attention-grabbing stories was a picture of the Crane Spotting 2018 Calendar that really caught my eye! The Sun’s text informed me that “Madcap” Kevin Beresford had hoped to lift spirits with his latest calendar (previous offerings have featured roundabouts and post boxes) but Crane Spotting had by then only shifted two copies. Keen to dispel the suggested myth that crane spotting is dull, I sent for a copy and it now graces the wall of my office (near to the hook carrying my anorak!). Also in that auspicious edition of The Sun was a Christmas Gift Guide that, in amongst its suggestions for items under £50, was a JCB Ride-on Excavator. Aimed at aspiring operators aged over 2, this fully workable 360° wheelie came complete with not only a hard hat but also a detachable trailer. There are two ironies with this toy. Firstly, it was not available when I was 2 years old and secondly, the complexities of acts, regulations and standards means the real JCB Hydradig as engineering plant in is principle not permitted to tow a general- purpose trailer (which could carry its extra attachments) on the public highway. (Whereas towing engineering plant such as lighting towers and generator sets appears to be allowed). JCB rightly continues to lobby for a clarification or change to the legislation on engineering plant towing trailers. Until then, the young operators of the Ride-on Excavator will have to confine themselves to the back garden. Nick Johnson