The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 27 January 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.

M3 junctions 2 (M25) to 4a Farnborough, Hampshire: Smart motorway improvement

Work to reduce congestion and improve journey times continues this week with narrow lanes a 50mph speed limit in place on both carriageways between junctions 2 and 4a, with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day.

The southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 4 including the M25 clockwise slip road and anti-clockwise link road to the M3 southbound, junctions 3 entry slip and junctions 3 and 4 exit slips will be closed overnight between 8pm and 5.30am, on Monday 30 January for four nights and between 8pm and 7am on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February.

A clearly signed diversion will be in place via:

• M3 southbound junction 2 to M25 junction 13 via A30 to A331 to M3 junction 4
• M25 clockwise junction 13 via A30 to A331 to M3 junction 4
• M25 anti clockwise junction 13 via A30 to A331 to M3 junction 4

The northbound carriageway between junction 4 and 2 including junction 4 and 3 entry slips, junction 3 exit slip and junction 2 northbound clockwise link road and anti-clockwise slip road will be closed overnight between 8pm and 5.30am, on Monday 30 January for four nights and between 8pm and 7am on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 junction 4 to A331 to A30 to M25 junction 13 to M3 junction 2 northbound.

For further details, visit the scheme website.

M3 junctions 6 to 7 Basingstoke, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the southbound carriageway takes place this week. The M3 southbound will be closed from junction 6 to junction 7 overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Tuesday 31 January. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Basingstoke.

M3 junction 8 Popham, Hampshire: bridge strengthening

Work to maintain journeys by undertaking bridge bearing and support replacement continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction are in place on the link form the M3 southbound to the A303 westbound 24 hours a day until May.

M3 junction 11 Winchester, Hampshire: safety barrier

Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the southbound slip road continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the southbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 24 February (Monday to Friday only).

M4 junction 6 Windsor, Berkshire: drainage

Work to ensure road user safety by maintaining the drainage asset at the junction takes continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound approaches to the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Monday 6 February (Monday to Friday only).

In addition, the westbound exit and entry slip roads at the junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Thursday 2 February for 3 nights (Monday to Friday only). Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the adjacent junctions.

M4 junction 10 Wokingham, Berkshire: bridge reconstruction

Work to refurbish the bridge which carries the link roads over the M4 continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit are in place on the slip roads and a 50mph speed limit is in place on the M4 carriageway until November 2017.

The slip road from the M4 eastbound carriageway to the A329(M) Wokingham bound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 5am, on Monday 31 and Tuesday 31 January. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 8/9 and return.

M4 junction 11 Reading, Berkshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a Smart Motorway continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the eastbound exit slip road at the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 30 January for 5 nights.

M4 junctions 11 to 12 Reading, Berkshire: resurfacing, surveys and bridge joint

Work to improve journeys by replacing a bridge joint and resurfacing a section of the M4 westbound carriageway between Moto services and junction 12 starts this week. The westbound carriageway will be fully closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Wednesday 1 February for 9 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A33 and A4.

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a Smart Motorway continues this week. The eastbound exit and entry slip roads for Moto Reading Service Area will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Thursday 2 February.

M4 junctions 13 Chieveley to 12 Reading, Berkshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the M4 eastbound carriageway starts this week. The eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Tuesday 31 January for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A4.

M4 junction 15 Swindon, Wiltshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys around junction 15 takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on all approaches to the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Friday 3 February.

M27 junction 1 Cadnam, Hampshire: drainage

Work to ensure road user safety by maintaining the drainage asset at the junction takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound approaches to the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 30 January for 5 nights.

M27 junctions 7 Hedge End, Hampshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out carriageway surveys at junction 7 takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound approach to the junction and on the roundabout overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Thursday 2 February.

M27 junctions 7 Hedge End to 8 Bursledon, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the M27 eastbound carriageway finishes this week. The M27 eastbound carriageway will be closed from junction 7 to junction 8 overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Tuesday 31 January. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Charles Watts Way, Kanes Hill (A27) and A3024.

M27 junctions 9 Whiteley to 8 Bursledon, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 between Bursledon and Whiteley continues this week. The M27 westbound carriageway will be closed from junction 9 to junction 8 overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Wednesday 22 February (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3051 Botley Road, Curdridge, A334 through Botley and Hedge End, re-joining the M27 at junction 7.

M27 junctions 11 to 12 Portsmouth, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the M27 eastbound carriageway near Port Solent continues week. The M27 eastbound carriageway from junction 11 to the A27 Eastern Road junction, and the M275 northbound link to the A27 eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 16 February (Monday to Friday only). Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the A27 for M27 traffic and the A3 Northern Parade for M275 traffic.

A3(M) junction 2 Horndean to Charlton, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the northbound carriageway takes place this week. The A3(M) northbound carriageway will be closed from junction 2 to Charlton overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Friday 3 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the old A3.

A3 Shackleford, Surrey: drainage surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out drainage surveys at the junction takes place this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 31 January for 2 nights. The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Wednesday 1 February for 3 nights. Clearly signed diversions will be in place via adjacent junctions.

A3 Hindhead Tunnel, Surrey: maintenance

Work to maintain journeys by carrying out tunnel maintenance takes place this week. The northbound tunnel will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 30 January for 4 nights. Traffic will be diverted through the southbound tunnel in contraflow under a 40mph speed limit.

A27 Hilsea to Bedhampton, Hampshire: safety barrier

Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the A27 central reserve continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Friday 10 February (Monday to Friday only).

A34 Three Maids Hill (Winchester), Hampshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys of the A34 southbound carriageway takes place this week. The southbound exit and entry slip roads at the A272 Three Maids Hill junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Monday 30 January. Clearly signed diversions will be in place via adjacent junctions.

A34 Bullington Cross to Sutton Scotney, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 southbound carriageway continues this week. The A34 southbound carriageway will be closed from the A303 (Bullington Cross) to the A272 (Three Maids Hill) overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Friday 3 February for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A303 eastbound carriageway, then south on the A33 Basingstoke Road.

A34 Speen, West Berkshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the northbound carriageway takes place this week. A lane closure will be in place overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Monday 30 January.

A34 Didcot to Abingdon, Oxfordshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys of the A34 southbound carriageway takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on both carriageways between the Marcham Interchange and Chilton junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Tuesday 31 January and Wednesday 1 February.

A34 Oxford, Oxfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing the A34 northbound carriageway around Oxford continues this week. The A34 northbound carriageway will be closed from the Hinksey Hill Interchange to the Botley Interchange overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 10 February (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Oxford ring-road (A4142 Eastern-by-Pass, A40 Northern-by-Pass and A44).

A34 Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a damaged section of the A34 southbound carriageway takes place this week. The A34 southbound carriageway will be closed from the M40 junction 9 roundabout to Islip overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Monday 30 January.

Clearly signed diversions will be in place via M40 junction 8a and the A40 (for motorway permitted vehicles) and via the A4095 and A44 between Bicester and Peartree (for non-motorway vehicles).

A303 Bullington, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the westbound carriageway takes place this week. The A303 westbound carriageway will be closed between the slip roads overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Thursday 2 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place.

A404(M) junction 9a Maidenhead, Berkshire: vegetation

Work to improve journeys by cutting back overgrown vegetation takes place this week. The southbound entry slip road at the junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Friday 3 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 9b.

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.

The initiative sees primary school children run, walk or jog for 15 minutes every day. It is inclusive, simple and free, with no equipment or set up required. 

Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans and Education Secretary Kirsty Williams have sent a joint letter to head teachers to encourage them to consider simple and innovative approaches to improve the health and wellbeing of children during the school day.

Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, said:

“We want to ensure children across Wales have good physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing. This is why we are encouraging to schools to take part in innovative schemes to help children be more active, such as The Daily Mile.

“The initiative builds upon the good work already taking place throughout Wales, such as the Welsh Network of Health Schools Scheme.”

Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams, said:

“Creating more fun opportunities for young people to get moving is key to ensuring they achieve the recommended 60 minutes a day of physical activity.  

“Engaging with The Daily Mile will support primary schools to implement the new curriculum, which puts a focus on making physical activity a more routine part of the school day.”   

27 Jan 2017

The SNP has told people awaiting a new Scottish Government licence for air weapons to store their guns at a friend’s house.

Justice secretary Michael Matheson confirmed 5436 people had applied for a licence under the SNP scheme since November 1.

And he said while police were now processing these “as quickly as possible”, those awaiting a decision “must make arrangements to have their air weapons stored in a safe and appropriate place – either with someone who has an air weapon, firearm or shot gun certificate, or a registered firearm dealer”.

He goes on to warn they must do this “to avoid committing an offence”.

The Air Weapons and Licencing Act made it an offence for anyone to own an airgun without an official licence as of January 1.

The SNP’s bid to do this has been consistently criticised, particularly in rural communities where they are necessary for work.

The answer came following a question in parliament by Scottish Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins.

Shadow justice secretary Douglas Ross also posed questions in Holyrood yesterday on the issue, including on why 500,000 air guns were still unaccounted for.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation warned the moves would do nothing to cut crime, and instead place an extra burden on police firearms licencing teams.

It added the six-month timeframe for getting all airguns licenced was too short.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Douglas Ross said:

“This unnecessary process has been a mess from the start.

“Now those who complied with the rules are being told to get rid of their weapon and keep it at a friend’s house.

“This is a chaotic approach from the SNP, and hardly provides any confidence that it’s on top of this issue.

“It’s already a major inconvenience for law-abiding people who need air weapons for work to go through this process, and having to call on the help of a gun-owning neighbour makes it worse still.

“It shows again that the SNP doesn’t know rural Scotland, and doesn’t stand up for its interests.”

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Below is a copy of the parliamentary answer from justice secretary Michael Matheson:

Index Heading: Learning and Justice

Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the air weapons licensing scheme.

S5O-00575
Michael Matheson:

Air weapons continue to account for almost half of all firearms offences recorded in Scotland – 158 offences in 2015-16. The new licensing regime came into effect on 31 December 2016 and will allow the police to better protect Scottish communities by removing air weapons from those who would misuse them.

Ahead of the new law taking effect, Police Scotland received 6,948 applications for an air weapon certificate by 31 October. Certificates, or refusals, have been issued in all but a limited number of cases, for example where further investigation is required or where payment has not yet been received from the applicant.

A further 5,436 applications were received between 1 November and 31 December 2016. Police Scotland are processing these as quickly as possible, but those who are awaiting a decision must make arrangements to have their air weapons stored in a safe and appropriate place – either with someone who has an air weapon, firearm or shot gun certificate, or a registered firearms dealer – to avoid committing an offence.

In addition, by 31 December, 18,935 unwanted air weapons had been surrendered to Police Scotland for secure destruction since the summer.

The new legislation come into effect on December 31: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38469556

The BASC has been critical of the move: https://basc.org.uk/blog/press-releases/latest-news/airgun-licensing-plans-in-scotland-fail-to-secure-all-party-support/

Richard
Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting on reports that
lawyers representing the families of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings
can apply for legal aid, said:

“This
is a welcome though long overdue announcement from the Government. Following
the Home Secretary’s unexpected refusal to fund the legal costs of the
inquests, the families should not have been made to wait a further four months
for this announcement. Labour has been pressing the Government to do the right
thing and this development is welcome.

However,
Conservative cuts to legal aid still mean that families who do receive public
funding are far from on a par with the resources of public bodies. This is
another reason the Government must get on with its review of legal aid cuts.”