Project Manager/Project Engineer

Landmark new bus station from stephen George + Partners opens in West Yorkshire. Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has announced the completion of a new bus station in the heart of Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire. Officially opened by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, the facility replaces the limited amenities available at the previous bus hub. The new station increases the number of bus stands from four to six and provides improved passenger facilities, including a double-height waiting area, glazed stands with safe access to buses, real-time information displays, public toilets, baby changing facilities and a Changing Places suite. Alistair Branch, Partner at SGP, said: "In partnership with Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and WSP, SGP has designed this landmark new bus station. Our design aimed to create a contemporary, welcoming building to reflect the sense of pride local people have in Heckmondwike." A striking elliptical structure forms the centrepiece of the development, housing the double-height waiting area, seating, toilet facilities and real-time service information. The green roof features circular rooflights that bring natural light into the building, while a raised parapet conceals plant equipment and creates a clean, defined edge to the curved profile. The sweeping canopy covering the outdoor waiting area contrasts with the sculptural form of the main building. Materials such as natural York stone cladding and extensive glazing were selected to reflect the character and tones of the surrounding town centre. Alistair added: "We worked with our client to engage with the public and other stakeholders early in the design process, as well as re-engaging with interested parties again once planning was submitted, to show how their comments and concerns have been taken on board in the final design. As a landmark project that aims to bring significant benefits to the town and the area, it's vital that the local community felt part of the conversation and that the finished building is theirs to be proud of and well used." Significant attention was also given to the surrounding public realm, with SGP and WSP working to ensure the outdoor environment complements the architecture. New planting, including a green wall, planters, trees and seating areas, has been introduced around the station alongside improvements to surrounding footpaths. Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. The station incorporates air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and a sustainable urban drainage system, while enhanced cycle parking helps encourage the use of sustainable transport options. The development is the first bus station to carry the Mayor's new Weaver Network branding. The network aims to integrate buses, trains, future mass transit services, walking, wheeling and cycling across West Yorkshire. Funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the project forms part of the wider A638 Sustainable Travel Corridor Scheme, which aims to improve connectivity between Dewsbury and Cleckheaton. The initiative is designed to boost economic growth by enhancing bus capacity, reliability and overall passenger experience, encouraging more people to choose public transport. Since joining SGP, Alistair has helped grow the practice's transport sector portfolio, which includes bus interchanges, multi-storey car parks, training and innovation centres, and aircraft hangars, with project values ranging from £300,000 to £40m. Previous transport projects delivered by SGP include Halifax Bus Station for West Yorkshire Combined Authority, as well as award-winning schemes such as Stevenage Interchange and Broad Marsh Bus Station and Multi-Storey Car Park in Nottingham.

Market Watch: Navigating industrial transition and demonstrating leadership. General market commentary. Canada's economy and environmental sector is navigating a period of transition shaped by U.S. trade pressures, grid modernization, and targeted federal investments: * GDP Growth & Outlook: Projections from the OECD Canada Economic Snapshot indicate real GDP growth is expected to reach 2% in 2026 and 1.7% in 2027, constrained by a trade-related slowdown and U.S. tariffs, though cushioned by strong net energy exports and high commodity prices. * Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs continue to impact manufacturing and export outlooks, with a notable share of businesses reporting delayed investments or absorbed cost pressures. * Legislation: The federal government introduced the Building Canada Strong Act (Bill C-39) in late September 2026 to streamline major project reviews to a one-year window and support trade corridors. When it comes to cleantech and clean energy industry developments, there are a few key areas of activity: * Electrical Grid & Supply Chain Investments: In October 2026, the federal government announced a $30 million investment (part of a $478.8 million project with Hitachi Energy Canada) to build Canada's first electrical-grade pressboard manufacturing facility in London, Ontario, supporting grid modernization and renewable energy deployment. * Clean Power & Wind Projects: Ottawa advanced the Wind West clean power initiative in Nova Scotia with a $100 million commitment to expand regional renewable capacity. Large-scale grid and storage projects (such as Darlington Nuclear and Atlantic offshore wind) remain central to doubling electrical capacity. * Workforce & Skilled Trades: Under Team Canada Strong, the government is deploying an $8 billion investment to train and recruit up to 100,000 Red Seal skilled trades workers by 2030-31 to service clean energy, retrofitting, and infrastructure priorities. Hot sector news. WSP is a company that plays a central role in the Canadian environmental industry. The company, which is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WSP), employs approximately 83,000 professionals and operates in over 50 countries. For the third year in a row, WSP was recognized as the world's leading environmental and sustainability (E&S) consulting firm in an annual state-of-the-industry report by Environment Analyst. WSP was also featured as the Platinum key player in Environment Journal's Top 25 Remediation Projects report, a list of the leading cleanup projects in Canada. WSP is part of the project team for the Port Hope Area Initiative, the #1 project listed in Environment Journal's Top 25 Remediation Projects Report. Another report, Global Environmental & Sustainability (E&S) Consulting Market Assessment, acknowledged how WSP extended its global lead in E&S companies to more than $2 billion in 2025. Between 2020 and 2025 the company acquired targets that generated over $2.7 billion in consulting revenues annually prior to the deals. The acquisition of TRC Companies in early 2026 will further strengthen WSP's dominance. According to this report, WSP now occupies 10.5 per cent of the global E&S consulting market. Most recently, WSP Global Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire GCM Corpo Inc., a Canadian provider of engineering consulting and specialist services for the energy and industrial sectors. The proposed transaction will expand WSP's platform in Canada by growing its core engineering consulting business and broadening access to clients in the energy and industrial sectors, including original equipment manufacturers, the company said in a news release. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. GCM Corpo - which has approximately 600 professionals across Québec, Western Canada and Atlantic Canada - operates six subsidiaries: GCM Consultants, Volo Construction, Strana Talent, GCM Enviro Synergies, KuriosIT and HyperShell. Its clients span energy, industrial, and mining and metals end markets. The acquisition supports priority growth areas of WSP's 2025-2027 Global Strategic Action Plan and will strengthen capabilities in process engineering, industrial digitalization, operational technology (OT) cybersecurity, project and construction management, project procurement, detailed engineering and environmental services. "GCM Corpo is highly complementary to WSP and a strong strategic fit for our business," said Alexandre L'Heureux, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSP. "Canada's energy and industrial sectors are evolving rapidly, driving demand for the scale, technology and expertise needed to support growth." This month, Environment Journal is adding WSP to the Stock to Watch index. Stocks to Watch Here is a list of Canadian cleantech stocks that Environment Journal is monitoring for this column so far. Environment Journal is open to suggestions from its advisors and readers. | Name | Symbol | Price in $CDN September 15/26 | Price in $CDN October 15/26 | % Change | | Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. AQN | $7.34 | $7.38 | +0.54% | | Anaergia Inc. ANRG | $2.54 | $2.16 | -14.96% | | Ballard Power Systems Inc. BLDP | $3.03 | $2.37 | -21.78% | | *BioRem Inc. BRM | $3.43 | $3.76 | +8.75 % | | BluMetric Environmental Inc. BLM | $0.89 | $0.90 | +1.12% | | Boralex Inc. BLX | $37.24 | $37.25 | +0.03 % | | *CHAR Technologies Limited | YES | $0.26 | $0.23 | -11.54% | | Electrovaya Inc. ELVA | $8.62 | $7.20 | -16.47% | | Engine No 1 (Transform ETF) | NETZ | $124.20 | $124.20 | 0% | | EverGen Infrastructure Corp. EVGN | $0.57 | $0.80 | +40.35% | | Greenlane Renewables Inc. GRN | $0.19 | $0.17 | -10.53% | | Loop Industries | LPEN | $0.70 | $0.39 | -44.29% | | Northland Power Inc. NPI | $21.07 | $22.12 | +4.98% | | Tantalus Systems | GRID | $3.96 | $4.15 | +4.80% | | *Thermal Energy International Inc. TMG | $0.16 | $0.15 | -6.25% | | Westport Fuel Systems Inc. WPRT | $2.74 | $2.54 | -7.30% | | WSP in Canada | WSP | $183.79 | $161.64 | -12.05% | | Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. (Abound Energy) | ZAIR | $0.23 | $0.18 | -21.74% | *The authors of this column own equity. It is not meant to be an endorsement, but simply a statement of this fact. James Sbrolla is a veteran of the financial and environmental industries. To contact James, call (416) 878- 2077 or email [email protected]. Connie Vitello is editor of Environment Journal. To contact Connie, email [email protected]. To pitch an idea for an upcoming Market Watch column, or to suggest a stock, please don't hesitate to reach out.