HM Government

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Press release: Plans for new M49 junction at Avonmouth announced

Highways England announced the preferred option for the new junction, which is part of the government’s £15 billion road investment programme. The junction will improve road access and provide a much needed connection into the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area from the motorway network.

Featuring a two bridge junction design, the proposal uses the existing bridge at Farm Lane with a second bridge being built immediately adjacent.

The two bridges will be incorporated into a single roundabout that spans the motorway with new access and exit slip roads built on both sides of the junction so that it connects fully with both northbound and southbound traffic.

Highways England South West Regional Director Andrew Page-Dove said:

We recognise the strategic importance of the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area as a key regional employment site and that is why we are helping to unlock economic growth in the area by building this new junction.

Over the last few months we have worked hard to identify the best possible design for the junction and we are excited to share our plans with local stakeholders, businesses and the community.

As well as boosting the local economy, the junction will also improve access to the regional road network and relieve traffic on local roads.

Three design options were shortlisted for the scheme and these were presented at an information event in July 2016, where members of the public, businesses and stakeholders were invited to give feedback. Highways England also worked closely with the local community before deciding on the preferred design.

Simon Tothill, Property and Development Director for Robert Hitchins Ltd, who own the Westagte 296-acre employment site with Harrow Estates plc, said:

This will be a huge boost to the local economy and is a very welcome investment by Highways England.

It will change the profile of Westgate dramatically, and unlock a large and incredibly well located site which, already benefits from planning permission, for employment uses. It opens the door to significant economic activity and will provide for thousands of new jobs.

The design of the Farm Lane Two Bridge option will now be taken forward and will involve the detailed design of the new layout including drainage requirements, pedestrian, cyclist and equestrian access, as well as environmental improvements.

Subject to statutory approval under the Highways Act 1980 and approval from the Secretary of State, construction is planned to start by the end of 2017.

Another information event will be held before construction starts to ensure everyone understands details of the final proposal and the associated construction programme. The estimated cost of the scheme is £45 million. Additional information is also available on the Highways England project website which will be updated on a regular basis.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

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Press release: Planned roadworks in West Midlands: weekly summary for Monday 13 February to Sunday 19 February 2017

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 10 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.

A38 – Claymills to Wood End Lane: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A38 – Alrewas to Toyota: carriageway repairs

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A449 – Gailey roundabout to Brewood Road: carriageway repairs

South and northbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Oversley to Shottery: carriageway repairs

Carriageway closed in both directions overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A49 – Wellington Marsh: carriageway repairs

Carriageway closed in both directions overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A49 – A44 Worcester Road: carriageway repairs

Carriageway closed in both directions overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Gledrid roundabout and approaches: widening scheme

Roundabout and associated approaches closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Wall Island to Muckley Corner: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 7pm and 6.30am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Meir tunnel to Stanley Matthews Way: carriageway repairs

Westbound Carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross to Stanley Matthews interchange Blurton Road entry slip road: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed 24 hours 7 days a week from 8 February ongoing until 7 July. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Blythe Bridge entry slip road to Meir tunnel: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross exit slip road to Foley Road Interchange: carriageway repairs

Eastbound Carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A500 – Talke island including exit slip roads and approaches: carriageway repairs

Eastside of the gyratory including all associated slip roads and approaches will be closed 24 hours 7 days a week from 11 January ongoing until 30 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 exit slip road: carriageway repairs

Northbound exit slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 3a to junction 5 including junction 4 entry slip: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including junction 4 entry slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – M6 junction 4a to M42: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 5am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 6 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound exit slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 17 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 17 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 2 to junction 1: major scheme works

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 4 to junction 2: major scheme works

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 1 to junction 2: major scheme works

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

Westbound entry slip road closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road to junction 6: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 10 including junction 9 entry slip and link from M5 northbound: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 11 entry slip road to junction 10 exit including M54 junction 1 entry slip road: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 10 to junction 7 including junction 10 and 9 entry slip roads and link from M5: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 13 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway works

Northbound entry slip road closed 24 hours 7 day days a week from 12am 17 February ongoing until 12am 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 8: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 17 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 Stonebridge Highway eastbound: carriageway works

Carriageway will be closed between Stivichall junction and Tollbar roundabout between 8pm and 6am on 13 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45/A46 Tollbar underpass westbound: carriageway works

Carriageway will be closed between 8pm and 6am on 13 and 14 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 4a to 5 southbound: major scheme works

Carriageway will be closed between 8pm and 6am from February 13 to February 17 and February 19. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 5 to 4a northbound: major scheme works

Carriageway including northbound entry slip at junction 5 will be closed between 8pm and 6am from February 13 to February 17 and February 19. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 6 to 5 northbound: major scheme works

Carriageway including northbound entry slip at junction 6 will be closed between 8pm and 6am on February 19. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

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 more

News story: Work underway at Kilbowie Road, Clydebank

Extensive works to fill a 62 metre deep unrecorded mine shaft that caused a collapse under Kilbowie Road in Clydebank are underway.

The Coal Authority has taken responsibility for the site and the repair works will take between 6 to 8 weeks to complete.

Only a 6 metre deep hole is visible at the road surface, but this leads to the shaft which goes down a further 56 metres to a total depth of 62 metres.

Work began last week with stone, pressurised grouting and a concrete plug being needed to stabilise the ground. Once the shaft is filled, work will begin on reconstructing the road.

Tim Marples, Head of Public Safety and Subsidence for the Coal Authority, said that work to repair the collapse in Kilbowie Road has already begun.

He added: “The unrecorded shaft at Kilbowie Road is one of our top operational priorities and our prime concern is the safety of the public.

“Our engineers have designed a solution to safely fill the shaft and repair the road and we’re working with West Dunbartonshire Council and the utility companies on our proposals.

“This particular repair is complicated by the exposed utility services within the 62 metre deep void, which we’re working to protect.

“From our experience, the work will take between 6 to 8 weeks to complete and cost in the region of £250,000.

“Our aim is get the road re-opened as soon as possible to minimise the impact on local residents and traffic. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused presently and during the forthcoming works.”

For more details please read the full press release

For further updates please visit West Dunbartonshire Council’s website

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News story: Britain and Cyprus Step Up Defence Co-Operation

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Cypriot Defence Minister Christoforos Fokaides signed a Defence Co-operation Programme in the capital Nicosia today, agreeing to closer working.

Building on the agreement signed last year, the Ministers agreed that the key regional partners would now work closely across Special Forces, counter terrorism, Crisis Response, intelligence, Air Defence, hybrid warfare and cyber.

Improved Maritime Search and Rescue co-operation will be a particular focus, and during his visit Sir Michael offered Cyprus the chance to display alongside the international community at Royal International Air Tattoo 2017 and reviewed opportunities for naval personnel exchanges.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

Britain is stepping up its global role and Cyprus is a key partner in promoting European security and stability.

We have now committed to strengthen our defence partnership with greater co-operation in areas such as counter terrorism, maritime security, and crisis response.

The Defence Secretary also announced the continuing commitment to train senior Cypriot Officers at the Royal College of Defence Studies together with other training being opened up on the Advanced Command and Staff Course.

While in Cyprus, Sir Michael visited the Zenon Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, on the island’s south coast. Extending the Republic of Cyprus’ crisis response capability, the centre incorporates modern maritime surveillance and warning systems and is central to Cyprus’s efforts to tackle illegal human trafficking.

Sir Michael’s visit comes at an important time for Cyprus, following the UN-facilitated talks held in Geneva in January, and as negotiations continue towards a solution to the long-standing Cyprus issue. The Defence Secretary confirmed that as a Guarantor Power, the UK will do whatever necessary to secure a settlement and our priority is for both sides to find an agreement allowing each community to feel secure.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon met UK Armed Forces personnel at RAF Akrotiri during the visit. Crown Copyright.

The Defence Secretary also took the opportunity to thank the Cyriot Minister for their support to Op Shader, with British aircraft operating from RAF Akrotiri, and Cyprus’ own contribution including to the foreign fighters part of the campaign. Sir Michael visited RAF Akrotiri, meeting with 903 Expeditionary Airwing later in the day. Since Sir Michael’s last visit in September last year, the RAF has attacked 330 further terrorist targets in and around Mosul, working in the closest possible cooperation with the brave Iraqi troops.

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