Latest news with #DepartmentForInfrastructure
The Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Busy UK motorway used by 130,000 drivers a day shuts ALL weekend sparking chaos for airport & port passengers
A BUSY UK motorway which is used by 130,000 drivers a day has been closed for the entire weekend, causing chaos for airport and port travellers. Motorists heading for Belfast City Airport or the port have been told to add extra time for their journeys as one of the city's main roads has been shut. 2 Friday saw the closure of the eastbound carriageway of the M3 Lagan Bridge from Nelson Street on-slip to Dee Street. It is due to re-open at 6am on Monday. The closure is one of two weekend's worth of disruption on the road, which is undergoing a £400,000 maintenance scheme to replace bridge bearings. The westbound carriageway, from Bridge End to the M2 Foreshore, will be closed to traffic from 9pm on August 15 until 6am on August 18. Northern Ireland 's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) warned delays were 'inevitable' but added the works had been planned to minimise disruption. Traffic heading eastwards on the M3 over the Lagan Bridge will be affected by the current closure. The road will be closed between the M2 and Dee Street, with traffic being diverted off at the Nelson Street off-slip. There will also be no access to the bridge from Nelson Street on-slip. A diversion route is in place which follows: Nelson Street A2 Great Patrick Street A2 Dunbar Link Waring Street Donegall Quay Middlepath Street A2 Eastbound Middlepath Street on-slip Major motorway closed after lorry bursts into flames as drivers face hour-long delays and 7 miles of congestion The news comes after huge delays were reported on the M54 following a horror crash involving a number of vehicles. Two lanes were shut eastbound between Junction 2 for Wolverhampton and Junction 1 for Featherstone following a serious collision. Emergency services were called to the incident at around 2pm on Friday, where four people are thought to have been injured. A female passenger and male driver in one of the cars were rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, where they are being treated for serious injuries. A child and lorry driver were also taken to hospital for minor injuries. While at the end of last month, the M6 northbound in Warwickshire was closed between J3A for Coleshill and J4 for the M42, after a lorry caught on fire. 2
BreakingNews.ie
30-07-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Department doing ‘as much as it can' to prepare for potential future flooding in NI
Stormont's Department for Infrastructure is 'doing as much as it can' to prepare for potential future flooding this winter. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins made the comment as she observed a large-scale training exercise with flood defences being erected in central Belfast as they would be in the event of a tidal surge. Advertisement She said the £33 million (€38.2 million) investment will protect 3,000 homes and businesses in central Belfast from flooding, but acknowledged resources could be spread thin in the event of multiple incidents across Northern Ireland. The exercise on Wednesday saw the installation and dismantling of approximately 1,500 metres of temporary flood defences, planned to be used as part of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme, along the banks and towpath of the River Lagan from Stranmillis to Belfast Harbour. Liz Kimmins speaking to Gary Quinn, acting director of Rivers Operations at the Department for Infrastructure, on the banks of the River Lagan (Liam McBurney/PA) Ms Kimmins hailed the exercise as 'hugely important given the growing trend in terms of flooding incidents across the North and the island'. 'This exercise ensures that our staff are prepared, that they understand what is required in an incident, and there are different levels of what that will look like given the severity of what the incident may be,' she said. Advertisement 'Today, the message is about ensuring that we are constantly in a state of readiness. I think this shows the forward thinking of the team.' She said that while they cannot prevent all flooding from happening, they can reduce the impacts with measures such as this. 'I think we have been on a constant learning curve, incidents have become more frequent, and we're seeing the impacts having a greater effect,' she said. 'This is about looking at what's happening globally and what we can potentially expect in the future, and how we then adapt our preparedness and our response to deal with that. Advertisement Workers from the Department for Infrastructure building a temporary wall during a large-scale training exercise on the banks of the River Lagan in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) 'This is also about giving the public confidence that when this happens we aren't just doing this for the first time, that we have had some experience of deploying the equipment. 'It's also important to say that in an incident of flooding, if there is severe weather, it is not generally just in one location, it can be in a number of locations across the North. 'There is a real potential that resources could be spread thinly in times when it is widespread and we need to ensure that the staff we have are equipped and ready to deal with that as best as possible. 'We're doing as much as we can based on the evidence that we have and the research that has happened. There is no doubt that things will continue to change but we have to be in a constant state of research and working through that to see what else we can be doing.' Advertisement
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Seapark beach: Double yellow lines to be installed at parking spot
Double yellow lines are set to be installed at a popular beachfront hotspot in an effort to stop drivers from abandoning their cars in residential beach in Holywood, County Down, attracts beachgoers hoping to enjoy the warmer weather – but local residents have complained of traffic is a car park but it can overflow during the busier days with drivers parking along the narrow Seapark Road, Seapark Lane and Seapark a letter from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, it was outlined the double yellow lines would be painted in "the coming weeks subject to available resources". "As a result of this, these double yellow lines should help reduce parking allowing for better traffic progression entering and leaving the A2 resulting in reduced queuing onto the A2," she said in her letter to North Down assembly and Environment Minister Andrew added that Department for Infrastructure officials would monitor the situation after the lines are installed to "determine whether further restrictions are appropriate". 'Main road is quite tight' As Northern Ireland basks in glorious sunshine, there was a mixed reaction to the news of the incoming double yellow lines from those enjoying the weather at Seapark Grimley, from west Belfast, was on her first visit to the beach and said she was lucky getting parked in the car park as another vehicle had pulled out of a space."I could see the main road though was covered in cars and it is quite tight," she also expressed sympathy for residents over the parking situation, saying: "I know if I was living there, it would be a pain." John Compston was enjoying the sunny weather with his granddaughter Atlanta said he could understand locals being "fed up" with the situation."But you would think there would be another way of putting more car parking spaces in somewhere along the way," he asked about their parking experience, Atlanta said: "It's kind of the same as it is at Helen's Bay... at the end of the day, you pay road tax and it's people coming to enjoy the beach."Double yellows are only really necessary if you're offloading." 'Significant measures needed' Alliance councillor Gillian McCollum welcomed the upcoming installation of the double yellow lines but believes "significant infrastructure measures" are needed within Seapark to accommodate the main concern was emergency vehicle access on extremely busy days."It creates a gridlock situation when the road is reduced to a single lane and cars then become backed up right up on to the A2 and that creates a situation where emergency vehicles would have no hope of accessing the area," she added that she would like to see more beachgoers using public transport."We would like people to be mindful that this is a highly residential area and these residents have been literally plagued with this problem for several years and we would like people to be considerate," she said. 'Not a silver bullet' Councillor Alan Graham, from the Democratic Unionist Party, said he understood the frustrations of those opposing the double yellow lines."I can imagine a mother and father with children and the hustle and bustle of getting them out of the car, getting the packs on them and not being able to get parked - it's very frustrating," he added that the double yellow lines were not a silver bullet to the traffic bedlam."There's a tension between increasing car parking space and taking up green grass," he said. "I believe there is a balance."I would be reasonably sympathetic to extending the car park to accommodate more people."
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Non-stop South Rd: Completing Adelaide's big road build
The hardest part was left to last for the 78km backbone of Adelaide's modern road network. But the time has come with the first concrete structures now being poured for the River Torrens to Darlington section that will create a non-stop South Road. 'Starting permanent work just eight months after contracts were signed is a proud moment for the state,' says Department for Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan. At $15.4 billion, the project – known as the T2D Project – is the most expensive infrastructure investment ever made in South Australia. 'We can't afford not to do it,' Whelan says. 'The current average speeds along this part of South Road are 20km/h – that's terrible. 'This section has a crash record 11 times worse than the sections of the corridor which have already been completed. 'Our roads are getting more and more congested. Once the tunnels open – no later than 2031 – the parallel roads will benefit because traffic will be attracted to the motorway and its 80km/h speed limit and lower crash rates. So, Marion Road, Goodwood Road, Unley Road and so on.' Some $850 million will go to off-corridor work, on roads and intersections feeding South Rd. This will ensure commuters can navigate construction blockages and then enhance east-west connectivity for perpetuity. The T2D Project is jointly funded 50:50 by the South Australian and Australian governments. Construction will support 5500 jobs a year – with 90 per cent of labour hours from South Australians. 'The T2D Project during construction and in operation puts more than $5 billion back into the state's economy,' Mr Whelan says. 'Between 2023 and 2050, it will put savings of about $9bn into the state from reduced traffic congestion and other economic benefits.' The western suburbs' tree canopy will significantly increase by plantings in many parks and community spaces alongside the motorway. Choosing tunnels has saved many local heritage sites and established businesses and retains neighbourhood connectivity. Once complete, public transport routes and timetables will be reviewed with outer suburban residents to benefit from faster express bus services using the non-stop South Rd. The first permanent structures are diaphragm walls built in the ground to form concrete curtains ahead of excavating the launch box for the massive Tunnel-Boring Machines (TBMs). The three main TBMs are approximately 15m in diameter – equivalent to the height of Adelaide Oval's goalposts – and around 100m in length. They are now being manufactured in Germany and China with first delivery later this year. The T2D Alliance is a partnership between the SA Government and a consortium of John Holland, Bouygues Construction, Arcadis, Jacobs and Ventia. At an industry briefing, Mr Whelan pledged that local businesses would be given every opportunity to compete for work packages. Local firms will be supported by the Department, the Industry Advocate and organisations such as the Civil Contractors Federation SA. SA firms have already won work, such as a $6m contract to SA-based McMahon Services for a link road in Clovelly Park. The Alliance has committed to create more than 600 jobs for apprentices and trainees, ensuring 6 per cent of employees are Indigenous and open up opportunities for 220 long-term unemployed. More than 1000 businesses operate in the vicinity. Discussions are being undertaken to minimise impacts during construction. Similarly, local residents can access a Community Information Centre in Hilton, a weekly update newsletter, drop-in sessions and information on the project's website. A Community Reference Group which gave local feedback during design is being replaced by three Community Reference Groups (north, central and south) for the construction stages. Tram line upgrade on track Work crews are under the starter's orders to begin a six-month blitz fixing crucial intersections on the City to Glenelg tram line. On Saturday, August 2, the whole tram line shuts for final preparations, before resuming as a CBD-only service two days later, as tram overpasses are built to eliminate three level crossings and the South Rd tram overpass is altered to accommodate the River Torrens to Darlington project. The Tram Grade Separation Projects will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce crash risks for motorists and improve reliability and safety on the popular tram route. Work will occur simultaneously on the three overpasses, and ancillary work elsewhere on the line, with a target to resume services by the return of school in January 2026. Department for Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan says this will minimise disruption for the public, despite being a stretch on resourcing the projects. 'We're confident,' he says. 'We've done a fair bit of prep work with weekend closures, we're ready to go. We've selected a consortium who have the experience, the runs on the board, for doing these jobs.' Project design is led by Mott MacDonald, Arup and Aurecon, while the prime contractors are McConnell Dowell and CPB. Tram grade separations at Morphett Rd and at the Marion Rd/Cross Rd/tramline confluence have been budgeted at $600 million. An additional $270 million will be drawn from the River Torrens to Darlington Project for changes needed for the lowered motorway on South Rd. Funding has been committed equally by the South Australian and Australian governments. There have been hundreds of crashes on the roads around the level crossings, resulting in fatalities, injuries and property damage as well as delays for motorists. Whelan says despite barriers and warnings, tram drivers frequently encounter pedestrians and drivers taking foolish risks. 'The community will see big benefits to safety,' he says. 'And not only that, taking away the angst the tram drivers face coming up to each level crossing will be a wellbeing benefit for our staff.' During the six-month closure, trams will run between South Tce and the Royal Adelaide Hospital and between the Botanic Gardens and the Entertainment Centre. Substitute buses will run between Glenelg's Moseley Square and the South Tce tram stop. Independently of the tram project, the department is purchasing 100 new buses for the metropolitan service – 40 hybrids and 60 all-electric buses. Fortuitously, many hybrids will be delivered soon, but the department is also hiring or purchasing some 40 buses from interstate to bulk up the thousand-strong metropolitan fleet to cater for peak periods, including extra demand caused by the Glenelg substitute run. As well as the major works, an opportunity is being seized for maintenance and minor upgrades. 'We're looking at other works along the corridor, so we don't have to come back later,' Whelan says. 'Things like tamping under the rails, installing totems which advise of the next service and so on.' The biggest ancillary project will be at the Goodwood tram bridge over the railway. A pedestrian and cycling bridge over the railway line announced in 2016 was scrapped last year in response to community opposition, particularly about loss of trees in Forestville Reserve. Instead, the archways under the tramline will be widened and a new shared-use crossing built over Brownhill Creek. Further upgrades to the station and underpass are planned for 2026, including lighting, mirrors, and CCTVs.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- BBC News
Maghera: Drivers gobsmacked by 'massive' yellow box junction
Is this the biggest yellow box junction in the UK, Ireland or even the world?People in a County Londonderry town say they are gobsmacked by the size of a new set of road has been dubbed the "small town with the big yellow box" after the road markings were painted earlier in the box stretches more than 40m along a busy junction frequently used by buses and lorries as well as cars. It is aimed at improving traffic flow on the A29 Tobermore Road. Melissa Caskey, who works in an office which overlooks the box, said she was shocked when she first saw it."It's massive. It's ridiculous. Everybody who comes into our office says – 'have you seen the size of that box out there?" she said."It's really silly and very few people know how to use it. But I do think they had a good reason for it because that's a very busy junction."She said a smaller box would have been better. Some residents highlighted the need for safer driving and said they hoped the new box might Regan, who runs a bar nearby, said he hoped it might become a tourist attraction."The north coast has the Dark Hedges and the Giant's Causeway, we've got the largest box-junction in Ireland," he said. The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted for in the town centre, the yellow box is close to local businesses including a cinema, but is also used by through there is criticism of the size of the traffic flow measure, there is a general recognition that traffic flow in the town needs to be improved. Other claims to fame Many other towns and villages in Ireland claim to be home to abnormally large many years the peninsula of Doagh in Donegal was said to be home to Ireland's largest searchlight as part of the Donegal Lapland festival each ChristmasThe village of Ross Cross in County Meath is said to be home of the island's largest 99 ice creamDonegall Quay in the centre of Belfast is the domain of what is reputedly the largest statue of a fish in IrelandCork city is believed to have Ireland's largest roundabout - the Kinsale Road roundabout which has five separate arms.
