Major Swindon road to close for three months
Part of a £120,000 project by Wales & West Utilities, the full closure of the A4289 Devizes Road, in Old Town, Swindon, began in June, will come into force from 21 July.
The closure, expected to be in place for three months, was approved by Swindon Borough Council.
Mick Gallavin, from Wales & West Utilities, said the work was essential to "make sure the gas network is fit for the future".
More news stories for Wiltshire
Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire
The section of pipe being replaced is more than 80 years old and has reached the end of its operational life, the utility company said.
In response to the closure, Friends of Old Town, which represents the Old Town Business Association, is holding a series of new summer street events to bring trade into the area.
The events will take place on Wood Street on 3, 17 and 31 August and will include funfair rides, outdoor games, music and food.
"These Sunday Socials are about turning disruption into something worth coming out for. They're designed to keep the area alive and thriving, not only for traders, but for the whole town," said Kris Talikowski, association chair.
The events are partly being sponsored by Wales & West Utilities.
Ross Gregory, from the company, said it understood the pressure roadworks can place on local high streets.
"That's why we're pleased to support this community-led programme of events, a positive and creative way of keeping Old Town vibrant while we deliver vital gas infrastructure upgrades," he added.
Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Three-month road closure divides opinion
Nine roads to be dug up by council in two months
Related Internet Links
Swindon Borough Council
Wales and West Utilities
Old Town Business Association
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
EU's von der Leyen: trade deal delivers certainty in uncertain times
PRESTWICK, Scotland (Reuters) -European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday said a U.S. baseline tariff rate of 15% on imported EU goods would apply to cars, semiconductors and pharmaceutical goods. She also said that a zero-for-zero tariff rate had been agreed for certain strategic products, including aircraft and aircraft parts, certain chemicals, and certain generic drugs. No decision had been taken on a rate for wine and spirits, she added. "Today's deal creates certainty in uncertain times, delivers stability and predictability," von der Leyen told reporters before leaving Scotland. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Best refurbished MacBook deals for top-spec Apple laptops at lower prices
Apple's lineup of excellent MacBook computers are some of the best laptops for productivity and portability. However, they don't come cheap. The good news is that older MacBook models are so reliable, they're still just as worth it on the refurbished market. It's possible to find top-spec Apple MacBooks with superb performance, bright displays, long battery life and capable software. And you can do this all without spending loads of extra cash. High-quality MacBooks from 2020 onwards deliver remarkable efficiency from Apple's own M-series processors, too. Whether you need one for work or for more creative pursuits, a refurbished MacBook will satisfy all your computing needs. All the models on our list feature sleek and slim designs, a feature-rich operating system, loads of app support and great screens, keyboards, trackpads and connectivity Air 13-inch (2020) M1 (Refurbished) The 2020 MacBook Air with an M1 chip is the laptop we use every day and it's now possible to buy it at far lower prices than when it originally launched. It's still supported for all the latest software updates, it's super speedy, great for multi-tasking and efficiency, and has loads of battery life. £415.00 at Air 13.3-inch (2022) M2 (Refurbished) Prefer a newer Mac? You can now find the fantastic 2022 MacBook Air with Apple's M2 chip for much less than its original price. This model shares loads of similarities with the recently updated 2024 variant, including the sleek revamped design, improved webcam, battery life, weight and dimensions. £630.00 at Pro 13.3-inch (2020) M1 (Refurbished) Need a more high-end MacBook Pro? We recommend taking a close look at whether this late-2020 model, which was the first to feature Apple's excellent M1 chip, suits your requirements. It's fast, portable and powerful. £445.00 at Air 15-inch (2023) M2 (Refurbished) This was the first model to introduce a larger display to the MacBook Air lineup. Pick this, and you're getting a 15-inch Liquid Retina screen, the efficient M2 chip, and MagSafe charging. It's ideal if you'd like more space on the screen without the heft of a Pro model. £795.00 at Pro 14-inch (2023) M2 Pro (Refurbished) A refurbished Mac can be a great way to get a far more powerful computer than you'd budgeted for. This one's a powerhouse for professionals. It has the M2 Pro chip – which makes it even faster for dealing with images, videos and code – plus a stunning display, and a great variety of ports (including HDMI and SD card slot). This is a great choice for intensive tasks like video editing and software development. £1145.00 at Air 13-inch (2024) M3 (Refurbished) This 2024 update to the MacBook Air brought the M3 chip to the Air series. While the M4 chip has come to the Air since this launch, this is still an up-to-date option with improved performance and efficiency. It's a great lightweight choice for everyday users who want a balance between power and portability. Read our full MacBook Air M3 review here. £645.00 at MacFinderMacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) M2 Max (Refurbished) For those requiring top-tier performance and raw power, this supercharged 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip delivers exceptional processing speed, graphics capabilities, and battery life. It's still pricey, but it's perfectly suited for high-end creative work, 3D rendering, machine learning and complex computations. £1495.00 at Where to buy refurbished MacBooks Apple Certified Refurbished Store Back Market Amazon Renewed eBay Music Magpie What to look out for when buying a refurbished MacBook Buying a refurbished MacBook isn't the same as buying one of the best laptops brand-new, but it's not as different as you'd think, as these devices will be restored to functional condition if they were owned for some time, or they may be 'like new' if they were returned after a few days. There are multiple things to keep in mind when shopping refurbished though, and the condition of your new laptop is the first consideration on our list. It's essential to fully understand the grading system in use by a refurbished retailer. It will have levels like 'Like New', 'Very Good' and 'Good', which are designed to help you get a sense of the physical condition of the computer before you buy it. These levels may also apply to the functional condition, with lower levels potentially indicating reduced battery life. As battery health always worsens over time, you'll find it helpful if you can get some idea of the battery health percentage if the seller or retailer offers it. As mentioned, there's a chance that this may be linked to the condition of the product. Refurbished laptops at the top quality level should have had a battery replacement before going on sale – all MacBooks on sale from Apple directly will have had a new battery fitted. It's worth verifying whether the MacBook will come with original accessories, such as its Apple-made charger and cable (rather than a third-party alternative). You may not think this makes an enormous difference but it'll be frustrating if the charger is too slow or doesn't work consistently. Third-party accessories are quite common from many refurbished sellers, but we think it's always much better if you can get the correct ones, especially for something like a MagSafe magnetic charger, for instance, that should come with newer MacBooks. Retailers and refurbished marketplaces tend to give you a one-year warranty, but we'd recommend checking how much this covers. It should protect you if there are defects or functionality issues, but coverage might be limited and there won't be any protection from damage without additional insurance. As is the case when buying a refurbished iPad or iPhone, you'll have the best experience by going with Apple itself. Its refurbished products will come with new batteries and often have new outer shells if necessary. They're fully tested by Apple before going on sale, have a comprehensive warranty and also have the option of AppleCare for more coverage. We think it's important to check the return policy before you buy. This way, you can ensure that you'll have the ability to return the laptop if you run into any issues or change your mind. We've checked, and you'll often find that you get at least 30 days to start your return. But you must still be clear on what qualifies for a return, how you go about contacting the seller through the marketplace, whether you have to pay for the postage, and whether you get a full refund. Read more: Best cheap laptops under £500 | Best laptops for kids | What is a refurbished phone? | Refurbished MacBook deals | Refurbished smartphone deals | Refurbished iPad deals | Refurbished Apple Watch deals You Might Also Like The anti-ageing wonder ingredient you're missing in your skincare routine 15 dresses perfect for a summer wedding 6 items our fashion team always take on a beach holiday
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
US expects to result of probe into chip imports in two weeks
TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) -The Trump administration will announce the result of a national security probe into imports of semiconductors in two weeks, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday, without providing details. Lutnick told reporters after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the investigation - which is expected to result in tariffs on chips imports - was one of the "key reasons" the EU sought to negotiate a broader trade agreement that would "resolve all things at one time." Trump said many companies would be investing in semiconductor manufacturing in the United States, including some from Taiwan and other places, to avoid getting hit by new tariffs. Sign in to access your portfolio
