Latest news with #AlisonThomas
BBC News
11-08-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
A140 Long Stratton bypass in Norfolk opens to traffic
A town's long-awaited bypass has opened to motorists as a £46.9m project moves into its final new section of the A140 around the town of Long Stratton, Norfolk, can now be used as the final elements are put into place before the end of the on the road started in April 2024 and was previewed by cyclists and pedestrians during a community open day at the start of councillor for the town, Alison Thomas, called it a "historic day" and added that she had "campaigned for this new road for many years and I'm delighted to see the project now moving ever closer to completion". It follows the end of roadworks which have required recent closures of the A140, the main road between Norwich and road is east of the town and stretches from a new roundabout to the north, at the Church Lane junction, for 2.4 miles (3.9km) before rejoining the existing A140 to the County Council said the new Hall Lane bridge - which would carry traffic and pedestrians over the bypass - will also come into use at the end of the week if final surfacing work was completed as to the town is from the northern end of the bypass to start with as a temporary closure at Parkers Lane allows for junction realignment work at the southern end of the bypass. Ms Thomas added: "This is a historic day for the town and I look forward to seeing all of the benefits it brings to our residents and across the whole region once complete."The county council has collaborated with South Norfolk Council and Norfolk Homes on the bypass, partly to allow for the growth of housing and employment in the outline business case approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) in July 2021 estimated the overall cost would be £37.44m but this rose to £46.9m due to issues including delays and DfT has covered 70% of the cost and the remainder has been sourced locally, including from developer contributions and £14.5m from the Greater Norwich Growth Board. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Long Stratton locals get first look at new A140 bypass
People living in a traffic-congested town said a new £47m bypass will make an "enormous difference" to the decades, Long Stratton in Norfolk has been a "pinch point" on the A140 - a crucial link between Ipswich and Norwich. A new section of carriageway to take vehicles around, not through, the town is due to open by the end of the the weekend, part of the new 2.4-mile (3.9-km) road was opened for a few hours so hundreds of locals could run, walk or cycle along Stratton county councillor Alison Thomas said it was a "lovely day for the community to come together". "It's a road we've been waiting for a very long time," added Thomas, a Conservative councillor."We get up to 24,000 cars per day going through [Long Stratton], mostly just passing through. "This [bypass] will make a massive difference." Residents were able to try the new route between 11:00 BST and 15:00. Among them was local cyclist James Youngs. He said it was "superb"."With the amount of congestion that trundles through Long Stratton, I think it's going to bring immense benefits for the community as a whole," he added."It will make it a lot safer travelling through [as a cyclist] rather than living in fear of getting hit by a lorry." Sarah Wratten said: "I've lived in and around here for nearly 30 years, and I've been looking forward to a bypass for 30 years."It's a shame it isn't a dual carriageway, but at least we're not going to have traffic in the same way through the village." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
01-08-2025
- BBC News
Long Stratton residents invited to first look at new bypass
A town that had campaigned for decades for traffic to be diverted from its main street is being given a one-off opportunity to run, walk or cycle its new A140 at Long Stratton, Norfolk, on the main road between Ipswich and Norwich, had become known as a traffic "pinch point".The £47m, 2.4 mile (3.9km) project is due for completion by the end of the year, with part of the existing road closed to through-traffic during the special first look on Saturday."The event provides an excellent opportunity to bring local people together in a truly unique and fun way and it's something I'm sure the whole town will get behind," Long Stratton county councillor Alison Thomas said. "Hosting the event whilst the existing A140 is closed to through traffic will also provide a real taste of what life might be like once the bypass is fully complete," she council said food vendors would be on site, and it would be gathering views on how the community would like to see the town centre develop once the bypass is on foot or cycle are welcome to arrive on site via Edges Lane or Parkers Lane only between 11:00 BST and 15:00. Parking and a shuttle bus are available from the former South Norfolk Council office at Swan the existing A140 will be closed between St Michael's Road and Brands Lane from 20:00 on Friday until 06:00 on Monday, for essential week, the section between Wood Lane and the southern end of the new bypass will be closed overnight on Thursday into Friday, and all weekend from Friday night through to 06:00 on Monday, 11 official diversion is via Loddon and Bungay and vice versa."We appreciate the forthcoming closures will cause some inconvenience but hopefully the public recognise their importance to the delivery of the project," said Paul Browne, of construction company Octavius Infrastructure."Once these essential works are complete we will be able to use the new road to significantly limit further disruption for the remainder of the project, which we remain on course to complete before the end of the year." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Five-second pavement test reveals if it's too hot to walk your dog during heatwave
As the UK basks in warmer weather this week, dog owners are being urged to take extra care to protect their furry companions from soaring temperatures. Dogs can't sweat like humans do - instead, they rely on panting to cool down, which becomes especially difficult for breeds with thick fur in the heat. Experts are reminding pet parents to avoid walking their dogs during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm, and always carry water on outings. Alison Thomas, Senior Vet Surgeon at the Blue Cross Hospital, said: 'While we enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, it's important to make sure our pets are kept safe. They can overheat very quickly, and this can sometimes be extremely dangerous - even fatal." Vet urges pet owners to avoid 'dangerous' heatwave habit She advises walking dogs early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. "If your dog needs a lot of exercise, look for other ways to keep them stimulated indoors," she added. One key safety tip is the 'five-second test' to check if pavements are too hot for paws. "Simply take off your shoes and stand barefoot on the pavement," Alison suggested. "If it's too hot for you to stand there for five seconds, it's too hot for your dog." The Blue Cross also warns that dogs with light-coloured or sparse coats are more vulnerable to sunburn. They recommend using a pet-safe sunblock and even dressing your dog in a lightweight T-shirt to cover sensitive areas. Signs of heatstroke in dogs can be serious. The Blue Cross advises: "Lower your dog's body temperature gradually if they're suffering from heatstroke - never use ice-cold water. "If your dog collapses or has trouble breathing, call a vet immediately. You may need to go straight to the clinic rather than attempting treatment yourself." And when it comes to car journeys, caution is key. "Think twice before taking your dog out in the car," the charity warns. "Plan travel for cooler parts of the day, take regular breaks, and avoid traffic. Never leave your dog in a parked vehicle - heat can build up dangerously fast. In just 20 minutes, a dog can die in a hot car, even with the windows cracked." According to the RSPCA, the dogs most at risk from heatstroke are dogs with health conditions, flat-faced breeds like pugs or bulldogs, and dogs with thick coats like German Shepherds. The charity urges owners to pick shady spots for their daily walk, and pack a portable water dispenser ensuring they are hydrated every 15 to 20 minutes. It's also important to avoid pavement if it's too hot, instead opting for grass.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flood victim to tell summit 'what it's really like'
A councillor whose home was badly flooded said she hoped her personal experience would help a flooding conference understand "what it's really like". Alison Thomas's house in Long Stratton, Norfolk, was deluged on Christmas Eve 2020 after 2in (50mm) of rain led to flash flooding. Mrs Thomas is due to speak at a summit in Norwich, where attendees will include Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, the county council and MPs. The organisers said they hoped the conference would lead to better flood mitigation and prevention. It aims to build on the work of the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance, formed after the 2020 floods, which saw parts of south Norfolk get a month's rain in just 24 hours. "It was a bit surreal, when you realise that you haven't got control over what's happening," said Mrs Thomas, a Conservative county councillor, as she described the flooding at her home. Along with her daughter, she had been battling to stop the water getting to the front door by "throwing buckets of water over the wall as fast as we could". It was only when she went inside that she realised their efforts had been in vain. "It got in through the entire house. We were battling outside thinking we were keeping the water out. "Then I came in, took my wellies off and realised my socks were wet. It was up to the first rung of the stairs." The North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP, Steff Aquarone, also due to speak at the conference, said flooding was "devastating" for communities. "We need to continue to push for more, longer term funding as well as better joined up working between agencies," he said. "I hope that the summit is a chance for everyone to get on the same page and make the call loudly and clearly to government, to insurers, and to all those involved in flooding and water management." The government has said it is working to improve flood defences and last year launched its Flood Resilience Taskforce. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Trauma goes on for Storm Babet flood victims Couple welcome government money to tackle flooding Residents describe 'frightening' floods a year on Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance
