The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 24 February but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the… read more
The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 24 February 2017 but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway and all associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm on 2 March until 6am the following morning (3 March). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The roundabout and all approaches will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 7pm and 6.30am from 27 February until 4 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The westbound carriageway will be fully closed from 6am 8 February ongoing until 8pm on 7 July. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm on 27 February until 6am the following morning (28 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February to 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The eastside of the gyratory including all associated slip roads and approaches will be fully closed from midnight on 11 January until midnight on 30 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm on 28 February until 6am the following morning (1 March). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm on 1 March until 6am the following morning (2 March). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The Northbound Entry Slip Road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27th February until 5th March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted
The northbound carriageway and associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 5am from 27 February until 4 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway including junction 4 entry slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 3 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The entry slip and exit slip roads will be closed overnight in both directions between 9pm and 5.30am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound exit road will be closed overnight from 9pm 2 March until 6am the following morning (3 March). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The link will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 2 March until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 27, 28, 1, 2 and 3 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 27, 28, 1, 2 and 3 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 27, 28, 1, 2 and 3 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 27 and 28 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The westbound entry slip road carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 3 March until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway and associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway and associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway and associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway and associated slip roads will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27 February until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound Entry Slip Road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 27th February until 5th March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 27 February until 4 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 28 February until 2 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 28 February until 2 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 2 March until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 9am from 3 March until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 9am from 3 March until 5 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
read moreThe framework, which launches today (24 February 2017), has attracted 2,018 suppliers in total, with 94% of them small and medium-sized enterprises.
Digital Outcomes and Specialists 2 helps the public sector to find suppliers that can provide teams or specialists to help deliver digital projects.
The framework replaces Digital Outcomes and Specialists 1, and has over 800 more suppliers signed up.
Digital Outcomes and Specialists 2 is split into four lots; digital outcomes, digital specialists, user research studios and user research participants.
The framework goes live today for 12 months, with a 12 month extension option.
The government has a target of spending £1 in every £3 with small businesses by 2020.
This is equivalent to around £15 billion worth of purchases each year; a big opportunity for small businesses.
For more information about Digital Outcomes and Specialists 2, visit the Digital Marketplace at www.gov.uk/digital-marketplace.
read moreThe Environment Agency is holding a public consultation in Chipping Sodbury to explain how it plans to reduce flood risk to local homes and businesses.
The Environment Agency is keen for local people to share their views on its proposals and any experiences they have of local flooding.
The consultation will take place at the Town Hall on 1 March 2017 between 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Fiona Geddes of the Environment Agency said:
This event is an ideal opportunity for people to study the flood alleviation options. There will be officers from the Environment Agency and South Gloucestershire Council on hand to explain the thinking behind each option and the steps people can take to prepare themselves against flooding.
We’d really like to hear the views of local residents and look forward to sharing ideas on how best to reduce flood risk in Yate and Chipping Sodbury.
The last major floods in Yate and Chipping Sodbury occurred in 1968. The Environment Agency estimates up to 100 homes and 40 businesses could be at risk of flooding from the River Frome and its tributaries. There’s a 1 per cent chance of serious flooding each year. The risk is expected to increase as a result of higher river flows and climate change.
Flood warnings are issued to low-lying properties in both communities. In Yate these include:
In Chipping Sodbury the part of the town most at risk is the Blanchards Farm area.
Flooding occurs because the River Frome has insufficient capacity. Improvements have been made over the years alongside new developments in the river corridor, but these haven’t kept pace with the growing flood risk. Surface water run-off from heavy rain has added to the flooding problem.
The Environment Agency has carried out a preliminary study that identifies 3 options: flood storage, river channel widening and property flood-proofing. As well as exploring each option separately, a combination of all 3 is also under consideration. This final, most expensive, combined option would increase the cost of the scheme to approximately £4 million. The cost of the individual options are £3.7 million, £300,000 and £100,000 respectively.
An earlier option that involved the construction of 1.8km of flood walls was rejected on the grounds of being too expensive (£10 million). It also raised sustainability concerns.
For a successful scheme to go ahead, any benefits must outweigh the costs. In addition to reducing flood risk to a significant number of homes and businesses, the final scheme should reduce flooding on 3 local roads (A432, B4569 and B4060) and prevent flood damages estimated at £10 million.
Flood storage schemes are an effective way of providing flood alleviation. The Environment Agency has built several in recent years. Examples include Tubbs Bottom, that reduces flood risk downstream of Yate and Bruton in Somerset. Schemes are also being considered for Taunton and Wrington near Bristol.
The Yate and Chipping Sodbury scheme is still in its early stages. The Environment Agency must carry out a more detailed study before selecting a preferred option. It is hoped a scheme could be in place by 2021, but that will depend on the Environment Agency securing the necessary funding from the Government and other sources.
read moreStanding Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) was established under the last Strategic Defence and Security Review and is a new deployable, operational 2* Joint Headquarters intended to command Joint forces in response to a crises or contingency worldwide.
SJFHQ personnel come from all 3 services and the purpose of the visit to HMNB Devonport was to widen the experience of SJFHQ staff from the British Army and the Royal Air Force in particular, so they can better appreciate the significant contribution the navy can play in any future operations. This will help them to plan more effectively and understand how the Royal Navy can best be utilised in SJFHQ led Joint operations.
Lt Col James Fuller, RM, briefs SJFHQ personnel on the capabilities of HMS Bulwark. Crown Copyright/MOD 2017. All rights reservedThe team spent 2 days at HMNB Devonport, where they received briefs on a range of topics, from amphibious operations to naval logistics and the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship. They toured the assault ship HMS Bulwark and travelled in Offshore Raiding Craft for a coxswain demonstration from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines. After a briefing from the Navy’s Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) team, the SJFHQ team then split into groups to visit 2 vessels currently undergoing FOST training and assessments. The first group travelled to HMS Duncan and watched her crew on an air assault exercise, while the second watched a damage control exercise on Norwegian frigate HNOMS Otto Sverdrup.
SJFHQ personnel ready to experience a ride on Offshore Raiding Craft, courtesy of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines.Crown Copyright/MOD 2017. All rights reservedLt Col Nick Morton RA, SJFHQ, said:
As a Joint Headquarters, it’s essential that we all have a good understanding of the capabilities and specialisms of each of the 3 branches of the armed forces, not just our own. Visiting Devonport has really helped me to develop and embed my knowledge of the Royal Navy and the reality of how it operates.
SJFHQ also has embedded staff officers from the UK’s partner nations in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and the Anglo-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, several of whom took part in the visit. The visit to HNOMS Otto Sverdrup therefore also provided an opportunity to see a JEF partner nation in action.
Captain Peter Olive RN, Assistant Chief of Staff (Operate Branch), SJFHQ said:
Our visit was enormously valuable to the team, especially those from the army and RAF. It has really brought the Royal Navy to life for the staff and helped them to understand more about the limitations and difficulties of maritime operations, as well as the enormous benefits maritime power can provide to any future deployments.
Everyone here at HMNB Devonport and on HMS Bulwark, HMS Duncan and HNOMS Otto Sverdrup has been extremely helpful and accommodating, so thank you to them.
The visit followed an earlier familiarisation visit to the Army’s Land Warfare Centre and plans are underway for a similar event with the RAF.
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