Latest news with #AlanWallace
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Road Access Restored To Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access. 'This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,' says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. 'We've taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.' To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures: Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site. The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope's stability. Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region. "The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us," says Bill Deed, Chairman of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust. "With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement. It's been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn't reach it. 'Now that the road is open again, visitors can return - but we're also playing catch-up. We've cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there's still work to do to get the site back to its best. "This lighthouse isn't just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it's a cornerstone of west Franklin's tourism. It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.' A key focus for AT is making our new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips. We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and South Auckland. Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Road Access Restored To Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Press Release – Auckland Transport This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience, says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. Weve taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk. Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access. 'This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,' says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. 'We've taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.' To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures: Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site. The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope's stability. Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region. 'The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us,' says Bill Deed, Chairman of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust. 'With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement. It's been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn't reach it. 'Now that the road is open again, visitors can return – but we're also playing catch-up. We've cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there's still work to do to get the site back to its best. 'This lighthouse isn't just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it's a cornerstone of west Franklin's tourism. It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.' A key focus for AT is making our new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips. We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and South Auckland. Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Road Access Restored To Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access. 'This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,' says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. 'We've taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.' To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures: Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site. The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope's stability. Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region. "The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us," says Bill Deed, Chairman of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust. "With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement. It's been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn't reach it. 'Now that the road is open again, visitors can return - but we're also playing catch-up. We've cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there's still work to do to get the site back to its best. "This lighthouse isn't just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it's a cornerstone of west Franklin's tourism. It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.' A key focus for AT is making our new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips. We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and South Auckland. Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.
Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Edinburgh roads: Business owner says plans for pedestrian-friendly Dalry Road could force him to move
An Edinburgh business owner has said he could be forced to move over planned road changes in Dalry which will see a number of streets closed for over five months. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The council has put out notice that it will close Orwell Terrace, Orwell Place, Caledonian Place and Caledonian Road for works, which are likely to start from September or October. The changes are part of a project to make Dalry Road more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. Business owner Alan Wallace, 66, said he may have to leave Dalry over the project | LDRS Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The works have been hailed by a local councillor and the city's transport boss as bringing 'significant improvements' to the area. But Alan Wallace, 66, owner of Wallace's Appliance Repairs, Parts and Sales, has had worries that the overarching project may force him out of Dalry. He said: 'It's already terrible getting parked. Our problem is most of our customers come here in cars, and they can't get parked anyway. 'Because of the double reds, they can't get parked, because the loading bays are all full up. It won't be good for our business. Our customers basically all come in cars.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said that when the project was first consulted on a year ago, he began looking for an industrial unit to move his shop out of a fear that less customers would drive to his shop. But, believing that the project was not going ahead as advertised, he ditched those plans. He was shocked to hear that the closures, and that part of the project, were going ahead, and said that he had not had any notification from the council about the works. An Edinburgh Council spokesperson said that local residents and businesses would be contacted in the coming weeks about the works, and stressed that the council will engage extensively with businesses in the area to limit the impact of the works. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They said that it was normal practice to apply for road closures prior to notifying residents about works due to applications needing to be submitted three months before works start. Additionally, they stressed that the works were only planned, and that they could be amended or cancelled before they get underway. The works will incorporate elements of the Dalry Living Locally project, which is set to see a variety of changes made to the length of Dalry Road, as well as the northern end of Gorgie Road to reduce traffic and make the area more walkable and cycle friendly. Some more controversial elements of the project, such as a bus and taxi gate at Haymarket Junction, are being reconsidered after a public consultation held last summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the plans, the four roads which are to be closed for works would operate as a one-way system. Caledonian Road and Caledonian Terrace would operate as a one-way street running away from Dalry Road, with the three other roads returning traffic to it. Ross McKenzie, the independent councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie, said: 'This is great news. We already knew that road resurfacing was scheduled for these streets during autumn. 'But it now looks very likely that significant improvements to the pavements will be made alongside this work, including continuous footways at junctions and improved access to Telfer Subway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In other parts of the city, such as Tollcross, we have recently seen road resurfacing take place without any improvements for pedestrians. 'While there will obviously be some disruption during the works, there will be no long-term change to current parking arrangements on these streets.' Labour councillor and transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said: 'We're continuing our wider work in the Dalry area with scheduled road resurfacing works at Orwell Terrace, Orwell Place, Caledonian Place and Caledonian Road. 'We have planned ahead and ensured that any potential works have been registered on the Scottish Roadworks Register. Any proposed works are only planned at the moment, and we will be contacting residents and businesses in the coming weeks with further details. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If plans are progressed then we currently expect the works, which will include continuous footways and raised tables to improve walking and wheeling in this busy town centre, to begin in late September or early October.'
Edinburgh Reporter
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Business worry over Dalry road closures
An Edinburgh business owner has said he could be forced to move over planned road changes in Dalry which will see a number of streets closed for over five months. The council has put out notice that it will close Orwell Terrace, Orwell Place, Caledonian Place and Caledonian Road for works, which are likely to start from September or October. The changes are part of a project to make Dalry Road more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. The works have been hailed by a local councillor and the city's transport boss as bringing 'significant improvements' to the area. But Alan Wallace, 66, owner of Wallace's Appliance Repairs, Parts and Sales, has had worries that the overarching project may force him out of Dalry. He said: 'It's already terrible getting parked. Our problem is most of our customers come here in cars, and they can't get parked anyway. 'Because of the double reds, they can't get parked, because the loading bays are all full up. It won't be good for our business. Our customers basically all come in cars.' He said that when the project was first consulted on a year ago, he began looking for an industrial unit to move his shop out of a fear that less customers would drive to his shop. But, believing that the project was not going ahead as advertised, he scuppered those plans. He was shocked to hear that the closures, and that part of the project, were going ahead, and said that he had not had any notification from the council about the works. An Edinburgh Council spokesperson said that local residents and businesses would be contacted in the coming weeks about the works, and stressed that the council will engage extensively with businesses in the area to limit the impact of the works. They said that it was normal practice to apply for road closures prior to notifying residents about works due to applications needing to be submitted three months before works start. Additionally, they stressed that the works were only planned, and that they could be amended or cancelled before they get underway. The works will incorporate elements of the Dalry Living Locally project, which is set to see a variety of changes made to the length of Dalry Road, as well as the northern end of Gorgie Road to reduce traffic and make the area more walkable and cycle friendly. Some more controversial elements of the project, such as a bus and taxi gate at Haymarket Junction, are being reconsidered after a public consultation held last summer. According to the plans, the four roads which are to be closed for works would operate as a one-way system. Caledonian Road and Caledonian Terrace would operate as a one-way street running away from Dalry Road, with the three other roads returning traffic to it. Ross McKenzie, the independent councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie, said: 'This is great news. We already knew that road resurfacing was scheduled for these streets during autumn. 'But it now looks very likely that significant improvements to the pavements will be made alongside this work, including continuous footways at junctions and improved access to Telfer Subway. 'In other parts of the city, such as Tollcross, we have recently seen road resurfacing take place without any improvements for pedestrians. 'While there will obviously be some disruption during the works, there will be no long-term change to current parking arrangements on these streets.' Labour councillor and Transport and Environment Committee convener Stephen Jenkinson said: 'We're continuing our wider work in the Dalry area with scheduled road resurfacing works at Orwell Terrace, Orwell Place, Caledonian Place and Caledonian Road. 'We have planned ahead and ensured that any potential works have been registered on the Scottish Roadworks Register. Any proposed works are only planned at the moment, and we will be contacting residents and businesses in the coming weeks with further details. 'If plans are progressed then we currently expect the works, which will include continuous footways and raised tables to improve walking and wheeling in this busy town centre, to begin in late September or early October.' By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
