Latest news with #BBCLookNorth
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Delayed road scheme on track to open next spring
Highways officials say they are "very confident" a major roadworks scheme in Hull city centre will open next spring. In December, National Highways announced the A63 Castle Street project had been delayed by a year due to "extremely challenging ground conditions". Work had originally been due to be completed by spring 2025. Project manager Frances Oliver apologised for the delays, but said the scheme was on track to be completed by the revised date. Ms Oliver said: "It's a really technical scheme and there are lots of different elements. "There is really large element of technical design to overcome the ground conditions and, as part of that, we've had to do some slight tweaks to the design," she said. "We are really disappointed and we apologise for the delays - we all want to get this scheme finished." In response to a question about congestion, she said they had made some tweaks to traffic control measures as a result of customer feedback and were working with the city council to monitor the situation. For the majority of the time, she said there were two lanes of traffic running in each direction, with speed restrictions in place. At the scene - BBC Look North presenter Peter Levy The A63 Castle Street project has come a long way since construction work started in 2020. When I visited the site in September, all seemed to be going well, with National Highways telling me the project would be finished by spring this year. But since it was announced in December that it would be delayed by a year I have been swamped with messages from people frustrated at having to sit in traffic jams every day. Highways bosses cited extremely challenging ground conditions near the Humber as the reason for the delay, but this is of little comfort to the thousands of motorists who use the local road network every day. To be fair, it is a monumental project, and one which should make a huge difference to traffic flow in the city when it finally gets over the finish line. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Hull A63 city centre roadworks delayed by a year Fresh road closure for A63 Castle Street project A63 Castle Street scheme enters next phase National Highways
BBC News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Hull A63 city centre roadworks on track after delay announced
Highways officials say they are "very confident" a major roadworks scheme in Hull city centre will open next December, National Highways announced the A63 Castle Street project had been delayed by a year due to "extremely challenging ground conditions".Work had originally been due to be completed by spring manager Frances Oliver apologised for the delays, but said the scheme was on track to be completed by the revised date. Ms Oliver said: "It's a really technical scheme and there are lots of different elements."There is really large element of technical design to overcome the ground conditions and, as part of that, we've had to do some slight tweaks to the design," she said."We are really disappointed and we apologise for the delays - we all want to get this scheme finished." In response to a question about congestion, she said they had made some tweaks to traffic control measures as a result of customer feedback and were working with the city council to monitor the the majority of the time, she said there were two lanes of traffic running in each direction, with speed restrictions in place. At the scene - BBC Look North presenter Peter LevyThe A63 Castle Street project has come a long way since construction work started in I visited the site in September, all seemed to be going well, with National Highways telling me the project would be finished by spring this since it was announced in December that it would be delayed by a year I have been swamped with messages from people frustrated at having to sit in traffic jams every bosses cited extremely challenging ground conditions near the Humber as the reason for the delay, but this is of little comfort to the thousands of motorists who use the local road network every be fair, it is a monumental project, and one which should make a huge difference to traffic flow in the city when it finally gets over the finish line. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'It's a really great tool': ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus making a new musical with AI
ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus is making a musical using AI and has hailed the divisive technology "an extension of your mind". The 'Dancing Queen' hitmaker was one of 10,500 signatories from the creative industries warning artificial intelligence companies that unlicensed use of their work is a 'major, unjust threat' to artists' livelihoods. The statement read: "The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted." Although Ulvaeus is against his work being used without his consent - that doesn't mean he isn't a fan of the technology, going as far as to call it a songwriting partner. Speaking at London's inaugural SXSW on Wednesday (04.06.25), he said: 'It is such a great tool. It is like having another songwriter in the room with a huge reference frame. 'It is really an extension of your mind. You have access to things that you didn't think of before.' Explaining how he utilises AI, he added: 'You can prompt a lyric you have written about something, and you're stuck maybe, and you want this song to be in a certain style. 'You can ask it, How would you extend? Where would you go from here? It usually comes out with garbage, but sometimes there is something in it that gives you another idea.' The Swedish pop veteran previously warned that AI must not "exclude the human". In a previous interview with BBC Look North, he said: "It's going to make song-writing different. Whether it's going to be better, I don't know but it's it's going to affect society as a whole. "It could lead to spectacular things. On the other hand, we have to be very cautious so that it doesn't exclude the human songwriter or producer or artist. "To be heard through the noise you really have to be very, very good. I think that it takes a human hand to add that extra little percentage needed to achieve a really good song."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
County Durham community thanks funders who helped transform lifeline venue
A community group has thanked the supporters who helped save a rundown church and transform it into a bustling County Durham venue. Over the past year, The Welcome Centre in Easington Colliery has become a lifeline to many people in the area.. It hosts a range of activities including youth and lunch clubs, a community garden, pantry and laundry, and support services such as digital skills and employability workshops. believe housing staff volunteer to clear welcome centre garden (Image: Supplied) Formerly Easington Colliery Methodist Church, it also remains a place of regular worship, with the Methodist churches of Easington, Horden, Blackhall, and Peterlee holding services in rotation. The comfortable, bustling venue is a far cry from the building it was in 2022 when it was cold and damp and faced closure due to high maintenance costs and a dwindling church congregation. Community benefit society, Focus Easington, was established to lease and renovate the church so it could serve the whole community. Welcome Centre interior before work (Image: Supplied) One year after opening to the public, volunteers held a thank you event for the funders and supporters who helped them realise their dream. Angela Surtees, a founder member of Focus Easington, said: "This was always a place of welcome and worship; we needed to retain that while also providing a community facility for everyone in need of support. "Easington is a community with many needs, and our mission was that no one would have to travel to get help because The Welcome Centre could be the place to turn to. Rev Bev Hollings at The Welcome Centre, which remains a place of worship ( Easington Colliery Methodist Church ) (Image: Supplied) "So much time, support, and funding has gone into creating this special place, for people of all ages to enjoy and find the support they need. "None of this would have been possible without the many volunteers, supporters, local businesses, and social value contributors who got involved and gave their time and money when they found out what we wanted to do. "As a community, it is very much appreciated." BBC Look North covered the transformation of The Welcome Centre - here interviewing Faye Gordon, of believe housing_ (Image: Supplied) Reverend Bev Hollings said: "It is a delight to see the building open every day of the week. "It is a real hub for the community, whilst remaining a place of worship available for weddings and funerals. "We recognised that we could not do everything we wanted, as a church alone, and the incredible effort and vision that has gone into this place really fulfils our ambition to serve the community." Key supporters include the housing association believe housing, which awarded £35,000 towards the building's renovation and had staff volunteer their time to work on the project. Its contractor, RE:GEN Group, donated £10,000 for the garden and replaced the old kitchen. Durham County Council facilitated the connection to BAM Nuttall, which transformed the outdoor space for free as part of its A19 civil engineering contract with the council, delivering social value. Funding was secured from Durham County Council's Towns and Villages programme and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and local charity East Durham Trust provided support and advice along the way. Rachel Edmunds, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at believe housing, said: "From the earliest discussions, we were completely blown away by the vision for the future and what this building could deliver. "We're really proud to have helped this project, which is changing people's lives, making a positive impact on the area, and bringing together activities, people, the church, and support services to cement it at the heart of this community." Rachel McMullen, Social Value Coordinator at RE:GEN Group, said: "We see firsthand how important these organisations are to communities like Easington. "It is amazing to see the building so full of people, and we're proud to have been part of that journey." For information on what's on or to volunteer at The Welcome Centre, follow the Facebook page Focus Easington - The Welcome Centre or email
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC presenter makes surprise return after emotional exit
Former BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown made a surprise return to the airwaves over the weekend as he helped out with coverage of the Sheffield United v Sunderland Championship match A BBC news presenter has delighted fans by coming out of retirement to help with coverage of a sporting event. Jeff Brown disappointed fans in March last year when he announced he was stepping away from the news desk and seeking retirement. Jeff had been a presenter on BBC Look North for 21 years before he hung up his microphone for a quieter life. But this weekend, the star revealed he was coming "off the bench" to help with coverage of the English Football League Championship. On Saturday, sports fans were on the edge of their seats as Sheffield United took on Sunderland at Wembley Stadium in London. When the whistle was blown at full time, Sunderland were crowned winners of the game, scoring two goals over Sheffield, who managed to net just one. Jeff had a front row seat for all the ball chasing action - and revealed he was back in his presenting role to provide a match report. Taking to X after the match had been won, the TV star shared a photograph of himself sitting in front of a monitor while in the stadium. In an accompanying message, he hinted that he could return to screens more than once, while also hinting this could be his final credit for the BBC. He wrote: "Came off the bench for (probably) my final stint in the Wembley press box. And what a way to sign off!" He added: "Match report on tonight's BBC Look North @BBCNEandCumbria." His return was warmly received by fans who rushed to praise his return. Responding to his post, one fan replied to write to the presenter: "Good to see you Jeff." While another wrote: "Couldn't have asked for any more Jeff. We'll enjoy the moment then look forward to a tough season ahead." And a further fan typed: "Fantastic weekend Jeff. Good luck and see you around the hallways." While many others expressed their joy over the end of match result. Jeff previously announced his retirement in March 2024 - with the news of his exit from the North East show coming as a shock to fans in the region. The TV host had been a popular member of the team since 2003 - specialising in sport while also fronting news bulletins on a regular basis. Over the course of his career on BBC Look North, he was nominated for Royal Television Society awards - and broke the news of his exit directly to fans. Taking to X at the time, he explained why he felt the time was right to step away from the corporation. He wrote: "News just in…after nearly 21yrs with BBC Look North @BBCLN I'm moving on. Projects in the pipeline with BBC & others, but (as you can see) it's been fun, and a huge, wonderful part of my life. Thanks for watching." In a more details statement released around the same time, Jeff said: "Presenting BBC Look North - filling the seat once occupied by the great Mike Neville - has been the undoubted highlight of my career, something I could never have imagined when I set out as a journalist. 'It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to work with such talented and dedicated teams over the years, and I'm proud to count them as my friends. "I'm also truly grateful to the many people and organisations across the North East and Cumbria who have allowed me to tell their stories, and to be welcomed into hundreds of thousands of homes every night." He added: 'Sport has always been my passion – whatever colour the team is wearing or the shape of the ball! I hope I've been able to reflect the depth of feeling fans have for their teams because in that respect our region is unique'.
