Latest news with #Amey
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Three financial literacy truths I wish I knew at 20
Steven Amey, head of intermediated distribution at Ashburton Investments, says he wishes his financial literacy was better when he was younger. The saying goes that hindsight is 20/20 vision, meaning that you will always think you could have done better later. This is even more valid when it comes to financial literacy. Do you ever wish that you knew what you know at the age of 50 about investments when you were 20? If you were 20 today and could learn about investing from scratch, you might be surprised to learn that it is not just a privilege reserved for people with a lot of wealth. It is, in fact, much more accessible than you might imagine, because it is all about three small things. 'Did you know that all people are genetically 99.9% similar, yet the 0.1% difference makes us all so unique? And did you know that if a plane incorrectly sets its course with a 1% error rate, it can have a dramatic impact on where it lands? 'A flight from Los Angeles to New York, with a 1% flight path deviation, would result in the plane landing 239 km off course. 'Lastly, and this one is close to home, did you know that in the 2024 Olympics, our very own super athlete, Akani Simbine, missed winning a medal by one hundredth of a second? Only 0.01 seconds was the difference between receiving an Olympic medal and not.' Amey says this makes it clear that the small things can have a profound impact on outcomes and shares these three lessons you can use to help your future self financially. ALSO READ: What to consider when deciding to invest locally or offshore Financial literacy lesson 1: Look at the small picture Sometimes you need to look at the small details to get ahead in life, he says. 'Many people complain about not having enough monthly income. To resolve this issue, you could search for a higher paying job, work a second job or play the Lotto, but these take time or may never materialise. 'Budgeting, on the other hand, is a much surer bet. Over two decades of experience have taught me that you can always find a place where you can cut back, be more financially free and start investing, even if just a little, for your future self.' Amey says the sooner you start to invest, the better. 'I love the old Chinese proverb, 'the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.' 'Do not wait for the right time, because time is not waiting for you. If you feel overwhelmed, contact a registered financial adviser or visit an asset management website where you will find different funds to suit your needs.' His advice is to start by moving from a motivational to a disciplined mindset. 'Someone who is emotionally stunted uses motivation to do something difficult once, while an emotionally mature person uses discipline to do something difficult a thousand times. 'It may be difficult to start saving, but look at what the disciplined investor achieves over time. 'If you start at 25 and invest just R1 000 per month until you are 55, you will end up with an impressive R1.5 million if market growth over the period is 8%.' ALSO READ: Investing in JSE shares: What you need to know Financial literacy lesson 2: Go small or go home People usually start by adding bigger pebbles to fill a glass jar, but adding thousands of tiny granules of sand will ensure the jar reaches its true capacity. Amey says you should not wait until you have bigger chunks of money before you start investing. 'True success is not about chasing big wins, it is about getting the small things right so that the big things can follow. Some of the biggest success stories in the world started small.' He uses these examples from well-known people on starting small and growing from there: Madiba tended herds of cattle in Qunu but went on to go to university and become the leader of the ANC and South Africa's first democratically elected president, a true world icon. Legendary businessman Raymond Ackerman was fired from his retail job in the late 1960s when he bought four Pick n Pay stores and grew them over the years into what is today one of South Africa's premier retail chains. 'These stories all teach us that even from humble beginnings, greatness can follow if you just persevere. Ultimately, it is all about putting one small foot in front of the other.' ALSO READ: South Africans optimistic about investing in residential property — survey Financial literacy lesson 3: Be a small deal In our consumer culture, we often feel the pressure to stand out and flaunt status, Amey says. 'But what if there was more value in rejecting status anxiety to pursue our best life? What if real success was more about quiet self-reflection to see where our innate vulnerabilities and biases may be tripping us up?' He points out that success is not about big gestures but about the consistent care and attention to every small detail. 'It is not about how much wealth you can display but about how financially literate you can become. Do not let your anxiety about current success stop you from putting the small things in place to achieve bigger success one day. 'One of the best small things you can do is to become aware of inherent behaviour biases that affect your decision-making. The three most common mind traps are the herding, anchoring and recency biases. 'Herding refers to doing what the herd is doing out of fear of missing out. If all your friends are spending freely and not saving, is it wise to simply follow? Anchoring means relying too heavily on the first piece of information you stumble across. 'Take a more holistic approach, do your research on reputable investment sites and if you can, engage with a qualified financial advisor and increase your financial literacy. 'Thirdly, do not get trapped by the recency bias. This is when we tend to focus more on recent events than long-term trends.' He emphasises that markets are currently volatile, and while some of your family and friends may have lost money over recent months, longer-term investing, with exposure to equities, creates long-term wealth despite short-term market downturns. Amey points out that instant gratification is celebrated in our culture. 'We have information at our fingertips through Google, social media and AI, and we can instantly order transport or food on our mobile devices. 'Investing, on the other hand, is counterintuitive to this programming, because it requires patience. 'Materialism and compulsivity erode our monthly income and trap us in debt cycles, leading to short-term gain and long-term pain. 'I have learnt that it is better to start off small, even if that means your house or car is not as smart as that of your friends. 'Be wise and use some of your income to provide for future capital growth over time. Your future-wise self will thank you in years to come for focusing on the small things that reap meaningful long-term rewards.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Will Glasgow's M8 viaduct repair work be complete next year?
Essential propping up work on the Woodside Viaduct east of Charing Cross has been ongoing since 2021. The motorway has been restricted with lane closures and on and off ramps closed to allow work to be carried out. READ NEXT:10 firms in the Glasgow area named for not paying National Minimum Wage Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP said the completion date on the Transport Scotland website is 2006 but she told the Transport Secretary, Fiona Huyslop that the organisation wrote to her recently to say that cannot be confirmed. Hyslop said the work was necessary and complications involving he subway tunnel had caused delays. McNeill said: 'The M8 project in Glasgow was due for completion in late 2023. 'Since 2021, those using the M8 have had constant delays as part of their daily commute, which is impacting on the west of Scotland economy.' She added: 'Is the cabinet secretary at all concerned that Transport Scotland wrote to me on 21 May to say that it now cannot confirm that completion date but that the website still says that the work will be completed in early 2026? 'It is unacceptable that the public, who are putting up with these delays, are not getting up-to-date, accurate information.' READ NEXT:Glasgow's drug consumption room to come under scrutiny at Westminster next week Hyslop said: 'The M8 Woodside viaducts project is a complex one that involves constructing temporary propping in a constrained urban environment to enable repairs to the half-joints that support the motorway. 'Transport Scotland and its contractor, Amey, have been examining each and every activity that is required to complete the works to ensure completion as soon as possible. 'However, there have been delays to the piling work around the subway tunnel, which has to be carried out very carefully.' She added: 'What is unacceptable is to question the work that is required to ensure that the works are carried out safely. 'As of May 2025, props have been installed at 13 of a total of 23 locations and 10 locations have been fully jacked, meaning that the load from the bridge deck is being transferred away from the existing supports and on to the newly installed propping system.' Transport Scotland states: "A total of 23 supports are required to be propped. "Each support requires individual propping designs to take account of the varying column heights, span length and widths resulting in different loads to be supported by the props. "The propping foundations at some locations are affected by a number of buried services (such as gas and water mains) as well as Strathclyde Passenger Travel's (SPT) subway tunnels. "These services have a major impact on the propping solutions available." On completion dates it states: "Completion of the propping and jacking work - which will result in the removal of lane restrictions on the M8 - is expected to be completed in early 2026. "However, the Contractor, Amey PLC is working towards delivering the eastbound carriageway sooner, in Summer 2025. "They are also exploring opportunities to bring work forward where possible. "These dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather or unexpected service diversions."
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Drivers crawling through long-running M8 roadworks face further delay
Restrictions due to work on the Woodside viaducts in Glasgow are expected to continue to 2027 Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Long-running roadworks which have already slowed motorway traffic through Glasgow to a crawl for four years may not now be completed until 2027, The Scotsman has learned. Complex repairs to the Woodside viaducts on the M8 just north of the city centre have been extended multiple times, first to 2023, then 2024 and are now officially due to be finished next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The outer two lanes of the Woodside viaduct have been closed for safety since March. | Amey However, a roads industry source said this may be further pushed back to early 2027, meaning that 150,000 drivers a day will be restricted to two lanes in each direction rather than the normal four along with a 40mph limit for a total of six years. The project to prop up the 55-year-old viaducts' supports while they are refurbished has taken longer than planned because some sections of the structure are in a much worse condition than expected, which led to the outer lanes being closed. The scheme which is estimated to cost £126-152 million has been made more complex by the proximity of Glasgow Subway tunnels. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Underground gas, water and electric cables and pipes have been found that were not shown on plans. The Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency, which is in charge of the upgrade, has said the impact of a 'large number of previously identified risks' on the completion date was being assessed. The Automobile Association motoring group said the work was taking too long and must be accelerated. AA president Edmund King said: 'The M8 is an essential link, not only to Glasgow but the whole of Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Whilst we understand the Woodside viaducts work is essential, the road is also essential to 150,000 vehicles per day. 'The repairs must be given greater priority as the delays and congestion will be costing millions of pounds and greatly inconveniencing drivers. 'Surely with the advances in engineering, the works should not be taking this long.' Glasgow Labour MSP Pauline McNeill, who is due to raise the issue in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, said: 'This is a complex project and the work is impressive but we must have clarity on whether this is on track - motorists have seen delays as part of their daily commute since 2021. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I hope Transport Secretary [Fiona Hyslop] will ensure the Scottish Government is pulling out the stops to prevent further delay.' A Transport Scotland spokesperson told The Scotsman: 'Due to the level of complexity of the Woodside viaducts, a cost range and indicative completion dates were published in May 2024. 'Transport Scotland and Amey [which maintains the road] continue to work to deliver the project as safely and as quickly as possible whilst aiming to minimise disruption and motorway restrictions and ensure the safety of the travelling public. 'A large number of previously identified risks, such as delays with piling around the Subway tunnel and uncharted obstructions have been more clearly understood recently. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Transport Scotland and Amey are considering the complexity of these issues and the impact they may have on completion dates and cost of the project. 'Once certainty of any changes to the project timeline and cost range are known, we will notify the public at the earliest opportunity.
The Courier
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Full list of solutions floated to resolve Swallow Roundabout chaos
Drivers are continuing to face delays and confusion at the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee – so what can be done about it? Queues caused by traffic lights and 'confusing' new lane markings at the junction have sparked fury among motorists since being introduced. The changes were made to the roundabout by developer Springfield in an attempt to accommodate the extra traffic from the Dykes of Gray housing development. With drivers still facing frustration on a daily basis, The Courier examines some of the potential solutions floated for solving the chaos. Safety experts say the lane markings at the roundabout should be changed. Markings on the approach from Perth show arrows pointing straight ahead in all three lanes. However, anyone in the right lane is then forced to turn right, onto Riverside Drive. The safety audit report, commissioned by Springfield, recommends that 'the lane markings be reviewed on this approach'. It adds: 'The audit team are of the view that an alteration in the markings may assist drivers (to) get into the correct lane before the circulatory carriageway as opposed to being trapped when halfway around the junction. 'The solution could be to provide a continuous lane marking for lane one and then allow traffic in lane two to 'split for the A90 and A85 as they make their final approach to the roundabout.' Along with various other recommendations, the auditors also suggest adding new markings on the Riverside Drive approach to encourage drivers heading onto the Kingsway to use two lanes instead of one to cut down queues. Springfield says it is still considering the contents of the audit and what to do next. Drivers have complained about constant delays caused by having to wait at the new traffic lights. Google Maps traffic data shows queues as far back as Longforgan during the morning rush hour on an almost daily basis. Springfield has even admitted that 'the traffic lights will not speed up the flow of traffic'. Many rivers have suggested rephasing the signals to allow more traffic through from the A90 approaches at busy times. According to transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, some work has already been done on this and traffic flows are continuing to be monitored. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for roads agency Amey – which will eventually look after the junction on behalf of the Scottish Government – said: 'Remote monitoring of traffic movements is undertaken to inform on journey times. 'Journey time information can then be used to inform on operation of the signals if appropriate.' The question of a Dundee bypass has been raised once again following the Swallow Roundabout issues. It has previously been estimated that such a road, which would leave the A90 before Invergowrie and rejoin it south of Forfar, could cut journey times between the central belt and Aberdeen by 15 minutes. It has also been suggested a bypass could cut Kingsway traffic by as much as 50%. However, unfortunately for drivers who favour this option, it looks unlikely it will ever come to fruition – with the cost to the public purse and the environment seen as too great by Transport Scotland. The government agency instead favours improvements to the existing route. Dundee Civic Trust, a charity which aims to 'encourage the highest standards of design', says upgrading the A94 between Perth and Forfar could provide an alternative route to using the A90 through Dundee. Members argue the existing rural A-road could be an option for drivers if small bypass sections are built around the towns and villages the road currently runs through. In a document sent to councils and Transport Scotland in 2024, the trust said: 'The average distance by the A94 is about the same, but the A94 is easier, quicker, and cheaper in terms of fuel use, and may well be faster due to traffic congestion in Dundee. 'We believe it will have the significant advantage of removing from Dundee city much of the through traffic.' However, Perth and Kinross Council, Angus Council and Transport Scotland have all said there are no plans to upgrade the road and many have disputed the merits of diverting traffic away from a dual carriageway onto a single-carriageway road.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
M8 traffic jam after lorry sheds load of hay on busy carriageway
Drivers are stuck on a Scots motorway this morning after a lorry shed its load of hay leaving a carriageway blocked. The incident took place on the M8, which links Glasgow to Edinburgh. Traffic camera images show that two lanes of the motorway - which is the busiest in Scotland and begins in Langbank, in Inverclyde - were blocked on the westbound carriageway. The hay is close to junction 27 at Renfrew, Renfrewshire, leaving the motorway restricted to just one lane and causing tailbacks for commuters using the route. Glasgow Live reports road workers are attempting to remove the debris. Maps from Traffic Scotland show queues of around three miles on the M8 westbound. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Traffic cameras show bumper to bumper traffic approaching the incident as drivers hit congestion leaving Glasgow. Queues extend to junction 25 for the Clyde Tunnel and Cardonald. Traffic Scotland maps show congestion elsewhere in the city, including on the M8 eastbound through Ibrox, over the Anderston Bridge and in Charing Cross. Westbound, there is further disruption on the M8 through Dennistoun and close to the Royal Infirmary. Pictures from the scene show dead grass in one of the lanes. Another picture shows what is believed to be a worked for Amey, the firm which manages Scotland's South West trunk road network, clearing the lane. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reports: "Two lanes closed and queueing traffic due to shed load on M8 Westbound at J27 A741 Renfrew Road (Paisley / Renfrew)." Amey was approached for comment.
