Public consultation being held ahead of major gas works
Motorists face six months of disruption as works to replace gas mains are set to begin.Wales and West Utilities (WWU) is upgrading pipes on Bishops Hull Road and Silk Mills Road in Taunton, Somerset, from 31 March.During the works, road closures and traffic management systems will be in place as older metal pipes are replaced by longer-lasting plastic ones, WWU said.Residents will be able to review the plans at a drop-in event between 14:00 and 19:00 GMT on Wednesday.
Tom Parker, owner of Bishops Hull Stores, Post Office and butchers, has warned that planned road closures could have a "catastrophic" impact on his business. He said: "I think people will think twice about coming up here. Hopefully we can garner enough support by explaining the situation and hopefully there is not a massive drop-off in trade."A WWU spokesperson said the works were "essential to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations to come".
To minimise disruption, the project will be carried out in two phases:Bishops Hull Road SchemeRoad closure on Bishops Hull Road from 31 March to the end of JuneWork on Orchard Drive from 21 April to 4 MayRoad closures on Bishops Hull Road and Comeytrowe Lane, with 2-way traffic lights on Stonegallows and Wellington New Road from 27 May to 13 JuneMountway RoadDirectional closure on Silk Mills Road from 16 June to 25 JulyDirectional closure on Silk Mills Road with a road closure of the junction of Mountway Road from 28 July to 17 AugustDirectional closure on Silk Mills Road with a road closure on Waterfield Drive and a lane closure on Wellington New Road from 18 August to 7 SeptemberMr Parker added the works could be "potentially catastrophic" because they could reduce footfall at a time when businesses are already struggling. "Big lorries come in here every week to deliver all our supplies and the roadworks will cause quite a big issue," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
TSX futures rise ahead of key US, Canada jobs data
June 6 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock index rose on Friday as investors awaited domestic employment figures and monthly payrolls data from the U.S., while signs of easing tensions between Washington and China fueled trade optimism. The S&P/TSX index futures were up 0.2% at 6:52 am ET (1052 GMT). The monthly U.S. non-farm payrolls report, scheduled at 8:30 am ET, will help investors assess the impact of President Donald Trump's trade policies on the labor market. Canada's monthly unemployment data is also due at 8:30 am ET. This week, Trump doubled tariffs on imports on steel and aluminum; Canada is the largest seller of the metals to the U.S. Canada's Industry Minister Melanie Joly said on Thursday that Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump are in direct communication as part of Ottawa's bid to persuade Washington to lift tariffs. Meanwhile, a highly-anticipated phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, which Trump said led to "a very positive conclusion," offered hope the trade war between the world's two largest economies might start to de-escalate. Additionally, China called on Friday for steps to improve bilateral ties with Canada, saying there were no deepseated conflicts of interest, following a spike in trade tensions with many of Beijing's Western trade partners this year. In commodities, oil prices slipped but were on track for their firstly weekly gain. Gold prices firmed while copper ticked up; both were set for weekly rises. Canada's main stock index edged higher on Thursday as higher oil prices boosted energy shares and investors assessed prospects of Canada reaching a trade deal with the U.S. FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES: TSX market report Canadian dollar and bonds report CA/ Reuters global stocks poll for Canada , Canadian markets directory
Reuters
4 days ago
- Reuters
Most Gulf markets rise, Dubai's main index hits over 17-year high
June 4 (Reuters) - Most Gulf share indexes ended higher on Wednesday, tracking steady oil prices as a hit to Canadian supply from wildfires offset a hit from ongoing OPEC+ output increases. Dubai's main share index hit its highest levels since 2008 and settled 0.25% higher, with real estate financier Amlak Finance ( opens new tab the top gainer on the index with a 14.6% rise. The index has been recording gains each year since 2021. It rose 27% last year and is up 7% so far this year. Abu Dhabi's benchmark index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab followed the trend, closing 0.45% higher. The index recorded a second consecutive session of gains. Oil prices - a catalyst for stock markets in the Gulf - held steady, with Brent crude futures rising 0.1% to $65.59 a barrel by 1203 GMT. The OPEC+ group recently decided to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day, a similar increase from the prior two months. Meanwhile, Canada's wildfires have reduced production by 344,000 bpd, according to Reuters calculations. A possible call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping also dominated market sentiment, with investors continuing to focus on the pace of trade negotiations. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index (.TASI), opens new tab settled 1.59% higher, with Arabian Pipes Company ( opens new tab jumping 35.15%. The welded steel pipes manufacturer approved an increase of its share capital to 200 million SAR ($53.32 million) at an extraordinary meeting last day. JP Morgan also said on Tuesday that the kingdom is expected to issue $12.6 billion in bonds until year-end. Companies in Saudi Arabia have been tapping debt markets, with state oil giant Aramco ( opens new tab raising $5 billion in bonds last week. Aramco settled flat on Wednesday. Qatar's benchmark stock index (.QSI), opens new tab finished 0.56% lower, with Commercial Bank ( opens new tab falling 2.45%. Data from Qatar's finance ministry showed that the country recorded a budget deficit of 0.5 billion Qatari riyals ($137.32 million) in the first quarter of 2025 and total revenue of 49.9 billion Qatari riyals, down 7.5% from the same period last year. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab was up 1%, with automotive company GB Corp ( opens new tab rising 7.29%. The index recorded a second consecutive session of gains. Wednesday also marks the deadline for countries to submit their best proposals for trade deals with the United States to avoid Trump's hefty tariffs. All Gulf stock markets will be closed on Thursday as the countries will be observing the Day of Arafat. ($1 = 3.7506 Saudi Riyals) ($1 = 3.6412 Qatar riyals)
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Joseph Parker eyes fight with rival on Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois undercard
The New Zealander has not fought since knocking out Martin Bakole, but despite seemingly being next in line for a world title fight, Parker wants to stay busy Joseph Parker has expressed his interest in a trilogy showdown with long-time rival Derek Chisora. The New Zealander has been out of the ring since his stunning knockout win over Martin Bakole in February. While holding the provisional WBO title, he is eagerly awaiting the outcome of Oleksandr Usyk 's rematch with Daniel Dubois - which is scheduled to take place on July 19. The much-anticipated face-off between Usyk and Dubois is set to be held at Wembley Stadium, with all four major world titles on the line. In a bid to ensure the Kiwi heavyweight remains active, promoter Frank Warren has indicated that Parker's next fight could come as early as September. Eyeing an opportunity to remain sharp for the winner of Usyk vs Dubois, the 33-year-old reckons a trilogy clash with Chisora would fit the bill. Speaking to the Ring, Parker said: "I'd like to be out ASAP. I know Usyk and Dubois are fighting on July 19, I'd like to either fight not long after that, or it'd be great if I could be on the same card." "That's been floated by Queensberry, so it'd be nice. Who do I fight? I'm not sure. The belts are held up at the moment. Usyk and Dubois have the belts, and whoever wins, who knows what kind of rematch clauses are in the contract. It'd be nice to fight anyone. It'd be nice to fight someone like Derek Chisora. He is looking for his 50th fight, and I'm not sure if he's going to fight for a title." Parker expressed interest in a potential trilogy fight against Chisora, saying: "I know I've beaten him twice, but I've never had a trilogy in my career, so Derek always brings it, and it could be a good sort of fight to keep me busy." The Kiwi had previously defeated Chisora twice in 2021. Since then, Chisora has regained form, recently winning an IBF world title eliminator against Otto Wallin, making him mandatory for a title shot. Parker is open to facing Chisora but also mentioned a possible rematch with Dillian Whyte, who beat him in 2018, as an alternative. Parker added: "There's also Dillian Whyte. Fabio Wardley is fighting Justis Huni this weekend, or very soon. There's many options out there. I know [Martin] Bakole wants a rematch, too. But I think it would be awesome to fight on the undercard of Usyk and Dubois. I'll fight anyone. Like I said, if there's no one else to fight, Derek Chisora is always keen. He's always up for it but he's also got a great following, and he's looking for his 50th fight."
