Latest news with #BernardMcEnroe
BBC News
02-04-2025
- BBC News
Iconic Cotswold's 'look' maintained in road-building scheme
A scheme which will see 5.5 km (3.4 miles) of new dual carriageway built between Gloucester and Cirencester is also employing a team of traditional Highways, which is responsible for the A417 Missing Link project, say it will help the scheme blend into the landscape, help protect sites of special scientific interest and reinstate old walls that have fallen into Government-owned company says the traditional look of dry stone walls is part of the iconic nature of the work is a painstaking process - a team of 12 stonemasons has been on site since early 2024, building a metre of wall a day. They expect to be finished in the middle of 2026. The majority of the wall will follow alongside the new A417, with other sections along parts of the B4070 and Barrow Wake car team working on it were taught how to construct Cotswold stone walls by experts at the Dry Stone Walling is hoped an apprentice will be taken on in the summer so the skills can be passed on to the next generation. Bernard McEnroe, managing director of Master Stone Masons UK, said: "We're delighted to be involved in this incredible project, helping to preserve the timeless beauty and heritage of the Cotswolds."Dry stone walling is an age-old craft that not only defines the landscape but also embodies the skill, dedication, and craftsmanship passed down through generations."Preserving heritage is at the heart of what we do, and we are proud to play our part in keeping the Cotswolds' iconic landscape intact for future generations." Natasha James, senior ecologist on the project, added: "It's great to see the walls come to life, knowing that they will become a valuable habitat feature for many species as well as looking incredible."It is just great for the landscape and ecology of the scheme."It is also hoped the Missing Link work will create new hedgerows, scrubland and director Steve Foxley said: "Our work on this vital scheme goes beyond simply building a new road, but also helping to preserve and enhance the landscape."We're delighted to be able to support such worthwhile projects which will help to support and reconnect the A417 with local heritage and the landscape while also helping to keep traditional skills alive."
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Yahoo
Four-mile dry stone wall to beautify commuter road
A four-mile (7km) dry stone wall is being built to help a major new commuter road blend into its Cotswolds surroundings. Twelve stonemasons have already spent a year constructing the wall traditionally using honey-coloured Cotswold stone, at a pace of one metre per day, next to the A417 Missing Link between Gloucester and Cirencester. They are not expected to finish the task until the end of 2026. "It's great to see the walls come to life, knowing that they will become a valuable habitat feature for many species as well as looking incredible," said Natasha James, an ecologist working on the wall. The stone masons were taught how to construct Cotswold stone walls by experts at the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA). According to the DWSA, dry stone walls protect fauna from bees to toads to shrews, and flora from liverworts to rusty back ferns. Dry stone walls are not built with mortar, but careful selection of interlocking stones ensures they are strong – the oldest ones in the UK date back thousands of years. Bernard McEnroe, managing director of Master Stone Masons UK, has been working on the wall. "We're delighted to be involved in this incredible project, helping to preserve the timeless beauty and heritage of the Cotswolds," he said. The £460m A417 Missing Link project, which spans several miles, is due to be completed by 2027. The project is intended to help reduce congestion and accidents along the A417. The scheme includes new junctions, repurposed roads for pedestrians and cyclists, and a green bridge. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Aerial pictures show progress on major road scheme Tunnel to man's home planned due to new road scheme Overnight closures on A436 to cause 12-mile diversion National Highways Dry Stone Walling Association
