Naver Bridge Replacement Site Team Help Build Local Footbridge

The Highland Council’s new Naver Bridge development has brought a welcome spin off for the local community. Contractors Wills Bros Group (WBCEL), who are completing the works on behalf of The Highland Council, aided with the installation of a new footbridge to Farr Beach, a project that was led by the Bettyhill, Altnahara and Strathnaver Community Council.

The Community Council had obtained funding from a variety of sources for a new footbridge, and WBCEL stepped in to provide labour and equipment to assist with the removal of the old structure and disposal of materials. The new Naver Bridge, located near Bettyhill along the A836, opened to traffic at the end of February.

Read the full story at The Highland Council website here

Kiltwalk Appeal – a partnership celebrating GCU’s 150th Anniversary.

Ten of our team set off recently for this year’s Kiltwalk, including some of our Wills Bros students, proudly joining Team GCU, and what a day for it was! We’re proud to be partnering with Glasgow Caledonian University for such an important event. Together, they covered over 14 miles as part of the GCU’s 150th anniversary, raising funds to support disadvantaged students and help transform lives through education.

A hat tip to everyone taking part!

Please check and support GCU’s Campaign here

A good start is half the work!

A significant milestone reached on the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project, with the official opening of Section 1 last Thursday in the presence of Minister Darragh O’Brien TD, Cathaoirleach Liam Callaghan, Chief Executive Shane Tiernan and TII CEO Lorcan O’Connor. Delivered approximately 18 months ahead of programme, this section represents 20% of the overall scheme and is already delivering real benefits for road users and the local community. This milestone reflects the dedication, expertise, and strong collaboration across the entire project team. Our thanks to everyone involved in making this possible.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the local community for their patience and cooperation throughout construction period. With 73km of the N5 now delivered, our focused remains on delivering the remaining 27km and continuing to enhance this key national route.

The early opening of Section 1 of the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project reflects the hard work and coordinated effort across the project team. While it marks an important milestone, our focus remains firmly on the safe and successful delivery of the full scheme.

Tim Wills, Director, Wills Bros

We were pleased to attend Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair which took place in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Officially opened by Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). With around 2,500 young people aged 16–24 in attendance, the event brought together over 60 employers and training organisations, all focused on supporting the next generation into employment.

Ours Aislinn Watters and Angela Newlands were on hand to share information on our current vacancies and speak with attendees about the wide range of roles and career pathways available within the construction industry. A great opportunity to engage with future talent and highlight the many routes into our sector!

Our team put the “T” in STEM when they attended a busy community careers fair in Cumbernauld, organised by DYW LED

We were delighted to bring along the Tenstar plant simulator, which proved a real hit outside Cumbernauld Shopping Centre on a rare sunny day. The simulator provides a realistic, hands on experience of operating construction plant machinery in a safe, controlled environment which gives participants a true feel for what it’s like to work as a plant operator. Inside, the team kept visitors engaged with interactive STEM activities, including our “Think Like an Estimator” challenge and hands on K’nex builds.

Events like this are a key part of our social value commitment, supporting local communities, raising awareness of careers in construction, and helping to build a strong future skills pipeline for the industry. Thanks to all the team and of course Gail McEwen from SPOA (Scottish Plant Owners Association) who gave us a crash course in the simulator!

Read more about STEM Ambassadors in Scotland and ICE Scotland

This Scottish Apprenticeship Week, 

we’re celebrating the apprentices across our business from site based roles to digital and technical pathways. The theme this year is ‘working for Scotland’. See below as we shine a spotlight on our apprentices and share their stories. Infrastructure isn’t just built on site, it’s powered by digital innovation behind the scenes.

• Meet Mitchell, our Graduate IT Apprentice, who is combining university study with real responsibility across our projects. From systems support to digital improvements that increase efficiency and collaboration, his role strengthens how we deliver our infrastructure projects in Scotland and throughout the UK. Apprenticeships aren’t one dimensional, they develop the diverse skills modern businesses need.
• Meet Lucas, one of our Civil Engineering Graduate Apprentices who is gaining hands on experience on live infrastructure projects while working towards his qualification.
  Apprenticeships in civil engineering build practical skills, confidence and long term careers, while supporting transport and community networks in Scotland and throughout the UK.

#SkillsDevelopmentScotland #Developing the Young Workforce #SkillsGeneration #ScotAppWeek25

This International Women’s Day, our colleagues across the business have shared their thoughts on this year’s theme: Give to Gain.

At Wills Bros, women represent 22% of our workforce, almost a quarter of our team compared with an industry average of around 14% across the construction sector (GoConstruct). While there is still progress to be made across the industry, it’s encouraging to see positive change taking place. Across our projects, engineering teams and support functions, talented women are helping to shape the work we deliver and the communities we work in every day.

We are proud of the contribution they make to our business and to the wider construction sector.

A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig – it’s officially opened!

We were delighted to welcome Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop to the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project which we are delivering on behalf of Transport Scotland.

During the visit the Cabinet Secretary met with a number of our site team to learn more about the engineering solutions being developed, alongside the environmental considerations, social value commitments, and sustainability measures that will be delivered as the project progresses. She also met with a number of locally employed team members who shared their experiences of working on the project and provided a real insight into the local area and community.

“The completion of our site offices marks an important early milestone for the project and it was a pleasure to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to site to mark the occasion. Initial site clearance works are progressing well, despite the recent challenging weather conditions and we are making good progress ahead of commencing major construction works in the next few months”

John Stephens, Wills Bros Contract Manager

Go #TeamWills!

Image no. 3 below (C) Watt Media.

After months of construction, the new Chudleigh Road junction is now in use!

Construction of the new A379 Chudleigh Link Road began in November 2024, and we’re pleased to confirm the junction was successfully opened on 19 January 2026, marking an important milestone for the area. The new layout replaces the former junction between Chudleigh Road and the A379, completing the switch to the new road alignment. The previous route has now been permanently closed to motor vehicles, helping to improve safety and traffic flow.

“The opening of the new junction and around 400 metres of the realigned Chudleigh Road is the result of a fantastic team effort over the past year. A big thank you to our site team for reaching this milestone, and to local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding throughout the works.”
Clinton Odogun, Project Manager

The scheme has delivered:

• Approximately 390 metres of new road
• Widening of the existing A379 to support development in the area
• Significant earthworks, including around 48,000 m³ of material to form new and widened embankments
• A further 14,500 m³ of soil, treated with a binding material to strengthen ground conditions beneath the road

In addition to the works, the project delivered a tangible programme of community benefits, creating real opportunities for local people through apprenticeship, work experience opportunities, and skills development. The team also built meaningful relationships with local schools and community organisations, ensuring the scheme leaves a lasting social legacy

“We were proud to work with organisations such as the Care Leavers Covenant, supporting young people and providing opportunity, and to work directly with local primary schools through donations of plants. These are meaningful actions that help connect the project to the community it serves.”
Angela Newlands, Community Liaison Manager

While there wasn’t a formal opening event, the team felt it was important to mark the occasion recognising the collaboration behind the scheme and the wider community benefits delivered alongside the works.

Well done everyone involved!

A rare backdrop for a progress update with the Aurora Borealis lighting up the Naver Bridge!

The site team were treated to an incredible light show as the Aurora Borealis danced over the Naver Bridge. Wills Bros are constructing the Naver Bridge replacement project on behalf of The Highland Council, are also delighted to confirm completion of the following:

• Bridge deck
  
• Parapet cope
  
• Safety fencing installation

The next phase of work on this key section of the A836 near Bettyhill will focus on preparing the bridge for live traffic, starting with the completion of the remaining road construction work.
A huge thank you from The client to the project team and supply chain for keeping things moving safely and efficiently; even under the Northern Lights.

Wills Bros host a series of community events for A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig

The A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project team recently hosted a series of Meet the Contractor events in Pitlochry, Perth and Mid Atholl, offering local residents, businesses and stakeholders an opportunity to meet the project team and learn more about the project and associated upcoming works.

Representatives from Wills Bros, Transport Scotland, and Jacobs were available throughout the events to talk through key project details, answer questions, and discuss topics such as traffic management, environmental considerations, sustainability, innovation and social value. Attendees were invited to browse a suite of information boards and share feedback to support ongoing engagement as the project progresses.

The events were well attended, with strong interest from communities along the route. We appreciated the time taken by everyone who joined us and the valuable insights provided.

Wills Bros would like to thank all attendees for their engagement and contributions. We look forward to continuing to work closely with local communities as the project moves forward.

Wind Energy Ireland Expo

We were proud to have a stand at the Wind Energy Ireland Expo, an event that brought together key players from across the renewable energy sector. Over two productive days, we made valuable connections, gained new insights, and explored opportunities for future collaborations.

A special thank you to everyone who visited our stand and engaged with our team. We look forward to continuing our contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy future!

Wills Bros Achieves PAS 2080 Verification, Cementing Commitment to Carbon Reduction

Wills Bros, a leading civil engineering contractor operating across the UK and Ireland, is proud to announce that it has achieved PAS 2080 verification status. This prestigious certification recognises the company’s robust approach to managing and reducing carbon emissions across its infrastructure projects, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable construction and climate resilience.

PAS 2080 is the globally recognised standard for carbon management in buildings and infrastructure, developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI). It provides a framework for organisations to systematically assess, manage, and reduce whole-life carbon emissions throughout the value chain. Verification to this standard demonstrates that Wills Bros is not only meeting but exceeding industry expectations in its efforts to decarbonise infrastructure delivery.

“This is a significant milestone for Wills Bros,” said Stuart Angus, Design & Sustainability Manager at Wills Bros. “Achieving PAS 2080 verification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams across the UK and Ireland. It reflects our proactive approach to embedding sustainability into every stage of our projects’ lifecycle, which an increasing number of clients are expecting to see from contractors like us.”

The verification process involved a rigorous independent audit of Wills Bros’ carbon management systems, project delivery methods, and supply chain engagement. The company demonstrated a clear commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in reducing carbon impacts.

Jonathan Wills, Director, added: “Sustainability is at the heart of our business strategy. PAS 2080 verification not only validates our current practices but also sets a strong foundation for future growth in a low-carbon economy. We are proud to be among the early adopters in our sector and look forward to working with clients and partners to deliver greener, more resilient infrastructure.”

Wills Bros has already implemented a range of carbon reduction initiatives, including the use of low-carbon materials, digital design tools for carbon modelling, and close collaboration with supply chain partners to identify and implement carbon-saving opportunities. The company’s verification under PAS 2080 will further enhance its ability to deliver value-driven, environmentally responsible infrastructure solutions.

As the UK and Ireland continue to push towards net-zero targets, Wills Bros’ achievement positions the company as a forward-thinking leader in sustainable civil engineering. The company remains committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and delivering infrastructure that meets the needs of both present and future generations.

Major Milestone Achieved

October has been a landmark month for the Naver Bridge replacement project on the A836 section of the North Coast 500 near Bettyhill, with the installation of 30 precast bridge beams now complete.  A key milestone in the project’s delivery. Each beam measures over 21 metres in length and weighs around 23 tonnes, and was lifted into place using a 500-tonne crane in two phases between earlier this month.

Alongside this engineering achievement, we were delighted to welcome a group of pupils from Farr secondary school, who visited site to learn more about bridge construction and careers in civil engineering. The 13 pupils and two teachers were greeted by Community Liaison Manager, Angela Newlands and Site Administrator, Isobel MacLeod, whose son, a former pupil of  Farr High School,  now works as a Civil Engineer. After a presentation on the bridge design and site safety, the group gathered at a safe viewing area overlooking the newly installed beams and crane before heading back to the office some refreshments, and some Wills Bros goodie bags!

Wills Bros Site Engineer, Hamza said:

It was brilliant to have the pupils on site during such an exciting phase of the project. Seeing the bridge take shape while inspiring young people to think about engineering careers really brings home the impact of what we do, both for local communities and future generations.

Read more coverage at our client The Highland Council, here.

A big thank you to everyone involved in safely delivering this complex phase of works! See the gallery and impressive timelapse video below

Dublin Airport West Apron Contract Award Ceremony

Continuing a successful partnership, Wills Bros Sacyr Joint Venture is delighted to have been awarded the Dublin Airport Underpass contract by the Dublin Airport Authority (daa). The €265 million project, scheduled for completion by August 2030, will involve the construction of a 1.1 km subterranean twin-cell tunnel connecting Pier 3 at Dublin Airport to the West Apron. The new underpass will pass beneath key operational areas, including the Cross Runway and four taxiways.

The underpass will provide a dedicated, segregated route for airside vehicles such as cargo operators, fuel bowsers, tugs, loaders, steps and catering trucks between the remote West Apron and the Eastern Campus, where most airport services and facilities are located.

Aidan McCaul, Contracts Director at Wills Bros, said the firm is “delighted” to be part of this significant project:

As a family-run business with over 53 years of experience, our self-delivery model has enabled us to consistently deliver large and complex civil engineering projects across Ireland. With a dedicated office in the Dublin region, we’re proud to bring our proven capability and commitment to excellence to this important development for daa.

Kenny Jacobs, daa’s CEO said:

This underpass is about keeping people safe and keeping the airport moving. It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that’ll make a big difference – cutting travel times, boosting efficiency, and future-proofing the place as we grow. It’s the right project, at the right time, with the right team to deliver it.

Sacyr Ireland Ltd & Wills Bros have previously partnered successfully as part of the SWS Joint Venture, delivering the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe Dual Carriageway in Northern Ireland, one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken for the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

Read more about the project’s complexity at daa’s page here.

Chartership Award

We’re delighted to share that our Senior Contracts Manager John Stephens, has recently achieved Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and been confirmed as a Fellow (FIHE) of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE). In addition, John’s submission was judged joint best CEng submission of the year 2025 by the IHE. This national award reflects his outstanding contribution to the highways profession, from delivering excellence on projects to mentoring and supporting others across the industry.

John said,

I’ve always just tried to do my job well and support others along the way. To be recognised like this by the IHE is something I never expected and is really appreciated!

Becoming a Fellow of the IHE is one of the highest levels of professional recognition, demonstrating:

• Proven leadership and technical excellence
• Dedication to developing others
• A commitment to driving quality and professionalism across the sector

Congratulations again to John, your hard work and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of engineers!

Connecting with the future of Civil Engineering

Wills Bros recently was delighted to attend the Graduate Jobs Fair at University of Limerick and University of Galway Career Development Centre. It was fantastic to meet so many talented students specialising in Quantity Surveying, Health & Safety, Civil Engineering, and Construction Project Management, all eager to start their careers in the Construction industry.

If you’re a recent graduate or a student seeking valuable industry experience, our recruitment team would love to hear from you. Exciting opportunities are available across Ireland, offering the chance to work on challenging projects and develop your skills with a leading Civil Engineering Company.

Check out Wills Bros careers here!