Latest news with #AssociatedBritishPorts
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Marina plans in doubt after backer pulls out
Plans to build a marina as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of Barry waterfront are in doubt after a major backer announced it would no longer be financing it. Associated British Ports (ABP) said it could no longer provide the "significant investment" required to build a marina on the waterfront in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. The marina formed part of redevelopment plans which also include a new watersports centre, park, housing and offices. Vale of Glamorgan Council said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision but that it remained confident the rest of the project could go ahead. Derelict Victorian hotel on most endangered list Town's waterfront plans approved The project to develop the waterfront, known as Barry Making Waves, formed the basis of an application for £20m of levelling-up funding under the previous Conservative UK government. Following a spending review, in October 2024 Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Barry would receive its funding. A spokesperson for ABP said following its own review, it had come to the "regretful conclusion" that it can no longer "proceed with the significant investment required in a marina". "We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the project and council's goals," they said, adding the company wanted to contribute to "more growth and prosperity for Barry". Council leader Lis Burnett described the decision as a "clear setback" but said she was confident the project would still go ahead. "We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement," the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports. Andrew RT Davies, Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales Central, described the decision as "extremely concerning". "The marina is a key part of plans to level up Barry and losing this investment is a huge blow," he said, adding that action was required to attract new partners. Mark Hooper, a Plaid Cymru councillor for the Barry waterfront area, said he was "surprised" by the announcement, and that the market testing "should have been completed long ago". "We in Barry need answers. Why was so much time and energy sunk into these plans if business partners hadn't already carried out their due diligence?"
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Barry marina plans in doubt after backer pulls out
Plans to build a marina as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of Barry waterfront are in doubt after a major backer announced it would no longer be financing British Ports (ABP) said it could no longer provide the "significant investment" required to build a marina on the waterfront in Barry, Vale of marina formed part of redevelopment plans which also include a new watersports centre, park, housing and of Glamorgan Council said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision but that it remained confident the rest of the project could go ahead. The project to develop the waterfront, known as Barry Making Waves, formed the basis of an application for £20m of levelling-up funding under the previous Conservative UK a spending review, in October 2024 Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Barry would receive its funding.A spokesperson for ABP said following its own review, it had come to the "regretful conclusion" that it can no longer "proceed with the significant investment required in a marina"."We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the project and council's goals," they said, adding the company wanted to contribute to "more growth and prosperity for Barry".Council leader Lis Burnett described the decision as a "clear setback" but said she was confident the project would still go ahead."We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement," the Local Democracy Reporting Service RT Davies, Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales Central, described the decision as "extremely concerning"."The marina is a key part of plans to level up Barry and losing this investment is a huge blow," he said, adding that action was required to attract new Hooper, a Plaid Cymru councillor for the Barry waterfront area, said he was "surprised" by the announcement, and that the market testing "should have been completed long ago"."We in Barry need answers. Why was so much time and energy sunk into these plans if business partners hadn't already carried out their due diligence?"
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Boy died after pier jump to celebrate end of exams
A teenager who died after jumping into the sea from a pier had told friends he "couldn't swim", an inquest has heard. David Ejimofor, 15, died at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, on 19 June 2023 after joining friends at the beach to celebrate the end of their GCSE exams. The hearing, at Swansea's Guildhall, heard from a fisherman who said he heard the boy telling other teenagers he "couldn't swim". His mother, Maria Ejimofor, described her son as "beautiful young boy," who was "bright and sporty". The fisherman, Ethan Clarke, said he heard the teenagers telling the boy "it would be fine" despite telling them he could not swim. Mr Clarke said the teenager jumped in and he began to panic as soon as he entered the water. He then disappeared under the water at which point the teenagers called for help. Tyler Rowland, an off-duty police officer, was paddleboarding with his partner at the beach. He noticed a group of seven teenagers at the pier about 19:00 BST, with some in the sea. He saw three head back to shore and told the inquest he heard them saying "he's gone". Mr Rowland said one teenager told him his friend had "gone under the water and not come back up". Mr Rowland jumped off his paddleboard and swam over to the group as they frantically looked for David. The inquest heard he dived down several times before finding David's body. He was helped to carry the body to shore by a nurse called Amy Saunders who was at the beach. In a statement read out in court, she described the efforts to rescue David at the beach as "never experiencing trauma like it". Simon Davies, Det Sgt of South Wales Police, who led the investigation, told the court it was "chaotic scenes" when he arrived at the beach with emergency services trying to revive David. The coroner asked Mr Davies if there was any evidence that David "entered the water not of his own free will". He said "no, none whatsoever". He told the inquest David's mobile phone was taken away as evidence and that revealed the phone had been used to search for two things before David's death. They were "how long should I wait after eating before swimming" and "what shorts to wear for swimming". Previous searches were about sport training and nutrition. The coroner also read a statement from David's mother, Maria Ejimofor, who said he had won athletics competitions, was a keen weightlifter and made TikTok tutorials on social media. His mother's statement said he "achieved so much in his 15 years" and had aspirations to become a doctor. She said he could swim after having lessons as a child but he was not confident in the water. The statement added "he would not have put himself in a dangerous situation" because he was not a risk taker. He often went to the beach because his family lived close by but was always cautious of the sea. A statement was also read from Associated British Ports (ABP) who own the structure where David and his friends were. It said the structure was not designed for recreational use, as it was "built as a break water and is not a pier". "The purpose of it is to protect the entrance of Port Talbot docks from wind and waves," the statement added. It also said there are signs warning of the dangers and it is checked monthly. The inquest continues. Beach safety questions asked after pier death Parents reveal devastation at son's beach death Teen drowned after jumping off pier with friends
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans to expand green training at Stallingborough site approved
Plans to expand facilities at a green skills training centre in North East Lincolnshire have been development at the Catch site in Stallingborough includes an industrial decarbonisation centre and a renewable energy training bosses said the facilities would help to deliver the skills needed to deliver the UK's net-zero East Lincolnshire Council approved the plans on Friday and both facilities are expected to open in 2026. Catch, which launched its apprenticeships programme in 2021, is supported by investment from partners including Associated British Ports and Humber Talbot, chief executive of Catch, said: "These developments mark the next stage in our plans to train 1,000 apprentices per year by 2030."The renewable energy training centre will have classroom space and purpose-built workshops to offer hands-on training for technicians and decarbonisation centre will include a lecture theatre and office space. Simon Green, chief executive of Humber Freeport, said: "To decarbonise the Humber's industrial cluster and transition to a net-zero economy, we need the right people with the right skills and expertise."Facilities like Catch are absolutely vital to equip our future workforce with the capabilities and the confidence to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving and growing green skills sector."Earlier this year, the government announced plans to invest in green-skills training to support a transition to clean power with "thousands" of new Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire were identified as key growth regions for clean energy. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
All the road closures in place this weekend for the Newport Marathon Festival
The ABP Newport Marathon Festival 2025 will take place on Sunday (April 13) and as a result, several roads in the area will be closed. Thousands of runners will be returning to the streets of Newport on Sunday for the second annual Newport Marathon Festival. More than 10,000 people have registered to take part in the marathon, half marathon, 10K and junior races. All courses have been devised by Run 4 Wales Race Director and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace. Check to see if you'll be impacted by the road closures on Sunday (April 13). (Image: ABP Newport Marathon Festival) Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, Matt Newman, said: 'We're really looking forward to being back in the city of Newport to put on the ABP Newport Marathon Festival which has been made possible thanks to the support of Associated British Ports, Newport City Council and the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund. 'The event has something for runners at every level of ability and ambition and has a wonderful friendly and inclusive feel. "For those who aren't running we'd welcome them along to spectate and cheer on their friends and family, giving runners a boost along the course.' The road closures set to be in place on Sunday (April 13) for the Newport Marathon Festival are: Usk Way - by the start and finish line will be closed from 3am on Sunday, April 16 until 7pm. High Street and Skinner Street - will be closed from 8.30am until 10.30am. Usk Way and entrance to A48 - will be closed between 7.30am and 3.30pm (entry and exit from East Docks Estate for residents and businesses will be managed). A48 eastbound - will be closed between 7.30am and 11.15am. A48 westbound - will be closed from 7.30am until 11.15am. Corporation Road - will be closed from 8.40am until 3pm. Traston Road - will be closed from 7.30am until 2.45pm. Traston Road Estate - will be closed from 8.40am until 10.15am and access will managed for residents from 10.15am until 2.45pm. Nash Road - various sections of Nash Road will be closed at different times. The northern half of the road will be closed between 8.40am and 2.30pm. While the southern half will be closed between 9am and 2.20pm. Nash and RSPB - Roads will be closed from 9am until 12.30pm. Then entry and exit will be managed, when possible, to and from Meadows Road between 12.30am and 2.20pm. Broad Street Common and Starits Lane - will be closed from 9am until 2.20pm. Goldcliff Road and Whitson Common Road - will closed from 9am until 2pm. Parish Reen, Bowleaze Reen and North Row - will all be closed between 9am and 3.10pm. Access to North Row Estate will be managed (for vehicles) between 9am and 9.45am. You can see an interactive map with all the road closures set to be in place for the Newport Marathon Festival via the event's website. Event organisers said: "To facilitate the safe passage of participants, it will be necessary to implement road closures along the route. "Please allow extra time when traveling on race day, plan your route in advance and be aware of potentially congested areas." Residents and businesses affected should have received a letter informing them of the road closures. RECOMMENDED READING: Hungover South Wales hen finishes 3rd in Brighton Marathon despite 3am party All you need to know about the ABP Newport Marathon Festival Newport family to run marathon year on from brother's disappearance in memory Man whose lungs collapsed three times to run Newport marathon Both the Marathon and Half Marathon will start at 9am, while the 10K race will begin at 9.45am. The Future Challengers race will start at 12pm, Toddler Dash at 12.15pm and Family Fun Run at 12.45pm.
