Latest news with #HGVs
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Hundreds of jobs at risk as MP and council seek 'urgent solution' to bridge problem
Hundreds of jobs at risk as MP and council seek 'urgent solution' to bridge problem Asda alone has estimated a £1.1m increase in costs due to the diversion There's a weight restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge (Image: John Myers ) A meeting has been held looking for "urgent solutions" to the ongoing weight restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge, which are currently preventing HGVs from using the crossing. Catherine Fookes MP and Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) cabinet member Catrin Maby met with UK roads minister Lilian Greenwood MP. It came after a question raised by Ms Fookes in Parliament last month. During the meeting the MP and Cllr Maby highlighted the "serious economic risk", noting that up to 3,000 people are employed at the nearby Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate. Major businesses based there, including Asda, have warned that the current situation is "unsustainable". Asda alone has estimated a £1.1m increase in costs due to the diversion and there are reports that some businesses may relocate to Bristol, risking hundreds of local jobs. It also stressed that a 12-to-18-month wait for a solution, as suggested by National Highways, is "far too long" and called for transparency around the proposed repair plan including a clear timeline. Article continues below A technical solution was also suggested, such as controlled access using number plate recognition, which could be introduced immediately allowing HGVs to use the bridge safely. They also raised the need for regular communication and engagement from National Highways with local businesses to ensure businesses are kept up to date and National Highways are held accountable. Cllr Maby also highlighted the impact of HGV diversions on the local roads network and the risk of increased congestion, particularly at the Magor junction. The roads minister acknowledged the challenges and risks to the local economy and confirmed she had already raised the issue with National Highways. Following this meeting the minister committed to following up with National Highways on the issues raised including the timeline of the work and whether a technical solution could be implemented in the short term. Ms Fookes said: 'While safety must come first I'm very concerned about the long-term impact these restrictions could have on jobs and the local economy. "Businesses face unsustainable costs and we risk losing hundreds of local jobs unless urgent action is taken. A solution in 12 or 18 months is simply not good enough. We need to explore every option available to allow HGVs to safely cross the bridge as soon as possible. "I'm grateful to the minister for meeting us and agreeing to follow up with National Highways. MCC and I will keep pushing until a solution is found." And CllrMaby added: 'We fully recognise the need to ensure the safety of the bridge but it's equally important to support our local businesses through this disruption. Article continues below "We welcome the minister's willingness to investigate whether the works can be completed sooner and MCC will continue to support affected businesses and residents as best we can.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Missing Brit who vanished after stag do in Portugal found dead in ravine
A British tourist who went missing for over a week on a stag do has been found dead. Scottish man Greg Monks, 38, was discovered at the bottom of a ravine after he was last seen in Albufeira, Portugal. Greg, from Glasgow, vanished in the early hours of last Wednesday morning after travelling to Albufeira for a stag do with friends. His parents and girlfriend flew to the country to help with the search. Portuguese police today confirmed a body has been found in "steep wasteland" and is believed to be that of Greg. His cause of death is not yet known and an autopsy is set to be carried out. Police have not revealed what they believe to be Greg's cause of death. More information is expected to be released after the autopsy takes place but privately, while the hunt was still on for Greg, police said there was nothing pointing to his disappearance being a crime. Police in Portugal have confirmed the body of Greg Monks has been found after a week-long search. The Policia Judiciaria police force said in a statement: 'The PJ has located the body of the missing Scottish tourist in Albufeira.' It added: 'PJ police, through the Southern Directorate and with the collaboration of the Albufeira GNR police force, today located the body of a man who had been missing since May 28 in the Cerro de Aguia area of Albufeira. 'The disappearance of the 38-year-old UK citizen was reported to the Albufeira GNR at 8pm on the 28th by another man who was accompanying him on holiday in the area. 'After carrying out various enquiries and establishing the presumed route taken in the early hours of that day since the last sighting, the body was located on steep wasteland. 'After the appropriate judicial inspection, the body will be removed and taken to the nearest Institute of Forensic Medicine for an autopsy.' Greg's family has insisted his disappearance was out of character and he did not suffer from mental health problems. Jillian said: "He's not got any mental health issues or issues with depression. Nothing like this has ever happened before. That's why when I got the phone call from one of his friends on Wednesday to say he had gone missing it immediately threw up a red flag." Jillian also said she and her sister have children and Greg was a "great" uncle to them. "My daughter particularly has got a very close bond with him," she said. '"She dotes on him." Greg Monks was a 38-year-old man from Glasgow. He was a "plant mechanic" who "fixes big diggers and HGVs and things like that", according to his sister Jillian. She said that Greg, who attended a stag do in Portugal as part of a group, is generally a "quiet" and "content" person who lives with his girlfriend. "They have a bulldog and they just go out walking the dog," she said. Another of Greg's sisters, Carlyn, told Sky News last night: "As a family, we're worried sick. It's just so unlike him, but myself and Jillian are just trying to hold each other up back home." Jillian also admitted their "unimaginable" fear that Greg may be "lying somewhere and we can't find him". Portuguese newspaper daily Correio da Manha is reporting Portugal's Policia Judiciaria force is at the scene. Greg disappeared after the first night of the stag do. He was last seen on CCTV in the residential area of Cerro de Aguia, located roughly four miles away from the main club and bar strip of Albufeira, on Tuesday 27 May His sister Jillian sounded the alarm on May 29 and she described his disappearance as "completely out of character". She wrote on an Albufeira expat site: "My brother has not been since Tuesday evening. If you are currently there and have any information place contact me with any info." Greg Monks' body is understood to have been found by police at the bottom of a ravine. Greg, 38, vanished on Wednesday morning in the Algarve while he was away with friends on a stag do. His sister Jillian said: 'There are about 10 to 15 friends all from Scotland on the stag do and Greg was due to be a groomsman.'
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Biometric attendance for Chandigarh cops at HQ mandatory from June
1 2 Chandigarh: The police administration is modernising its attendance system by implementing the Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system (AEBAS) at the headquarters. This digital transition aims to streamline the attendance process for all personnel deployed at the police headquarters in Sector 9. The new system requires staff members to download two essential applications: Aadhaar Face RD and Aadhaar BAS, available on Google Play Store. These applications will facilitate facial recognition-based attendance marking, making the process more efficient and transparent. The implementation timeline is clearly defined, with all staff members required to have the applications installed and operational by June 1. This includes executive officers, ministerial staff, home guard volunteers (HGVs), and outsourced personnel working at the headquarters. To ensure smooth adoption of the system, the IT manager stationed on the first floor of the headquarters will provide technical support to staff members experiencing difficulties with the applications. This support system aims to address any challenges that might arise during the transition period. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Non-compliance with these directives could lead to disciplinary proceedings against the staff members. The order specifically mentions that no exceptions will be entertained, underlining the significance of this technological upgrade. This modernisation effort represents a significant step towards digital governance and enhanced accountability within the police force. The face authentication system is expected to eliminate proxy attendance and ensure accurate record-keeping of staff presence at the headquarters, said a senior police officer.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Major change to Severn Bridge begins today
Major change to Severn Bridge begins today A ban which stops any vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes using the bridge comes into force The ban will be in force for at least 12 months (Image: John Myers ) There is concern that a major change to restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge which comes in force on Tuesday (May 27) could cause delays for many drivers. A ban which stops any vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes using the bridge means that hauliers will be forced to use the M4 Prince of Wales bridge instead. An expert has warned that this 13-mile diversion for HGVs travelling between England and Wales could have a "huge knock-on effect for other road users" due to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge being used by more traffic. The ban is expected to be in place for 12 to 18 months. The decision to ban hauliers was made after National Highways discovered the cables supporting the structure are deteriorating. Last year, the Severn Bridge carried roughly 32,000 vehicles a day - 3,270 of which were over 7.5t. This means that around 10 per cent of traffic will be diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge once the restrictions are in place. car insurance expert Rhydian Jones said: "With HGVs being redirected to the M4 Severn Bridge instead, this is likely to have a huge knock-on effect for other road users, resulting in heavier traffic and delays on that popular route. Article continues below "The M4 is already one of the busiest links between Wales and England, used daily by commuters, airport travellers, and delivery drivers. "With more large vehicles joining that route, drivers should plan for slower journeys, particularly during rush hour or busy travel periods." He said that drivers should consider leaving extra time for their journeys, check for travel updates and avoid travelling at peak times when possible. He added: "The impact could also be especially noticeable for those heading to airports like Bristol or Heathrow. "So planning ahead will be key to avoiding last-minute stress, especially if you're working to tight schedules like flight times." The weight restriction has been implemented to ensure that two lanes on the M48 bridge can remain open to all other vehicles, ensure the safety of the bridge, and reduce the load on the cables. Chris Pope, Programme Delivery Manager for National Highways, said: "Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come. "While the bridge remains safe, it was not designed and built for today's levels or weight of traffic. "Vehicles have become heavier and traffic levels have increased significantly over the last 60 years, putting greater load on the cables. "As with all our structures, we will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The Severn Bridge first opened nearly 60 years ago, and has had to deal with ever-increasing vehicle weights and traffic numbers. Since the tolls were removed on the bridge in 2018 there has been a 34% increase in traffic, and these changes mean a substantial increase in weight over the bridge, which it was not designed for, National Highways said. Results of assessments of the bridge were finalised in December and revealed that the main cables are deteriorating and not as strong. Due to these results, it was recommended National Highways reduce the load on the bridge to minimise further damage. Chris added: "We'd like to thank drivers for their support and must stress that only heavy goods vehicles below 7.5 tonnes in weight should use the bridge. "Continued use of the bridge by heavier vehicles could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening." The M48 Severn Bridge will remain open to all emergency vehicles, buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles. If there is an unplanned closure of the Prince of Wales bridge, vehicles over 7.5t will need to follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being explored to support the enforcement of the new weight restriction. Article continues below
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major motorway used by thousands of drivers everyday rolls out hated traffic measure for half term
The system has been described as a 'massive inconvenience' ROADBLOCK Major motorway used by thousands of drivers everyday rolls out hated traffic measure for half term Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR motorway used by thousands of drivers every day unveiled its hated traffic measures for half term. Operation Brock has commenced on the M20 between junctions eight (Maidstone) and nine(Ashford) by the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Those who are planning to head to the Eurotunnel or the port should plan their journeys ahead Credit: PA 2 The initiative requires lorries bound for Dover to queue on one side of the M20 Credit: PA The initiative requires lorries bound for Dover to queue on one side of the M20, while the opposite carriageway carries traffic in both directions. A diversion route was set up during the installation, with a contraflow also introduced earlier. HGVs heading towards the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel must follow signs to join Operation Brock at Junction eight of the M20. All other traffic going to the coast, including local freight, must follow the signs and crossover to enter the contraflow on the motorway. All traffic that is travelling through the contraflow must adhere to a 50mph speed limit and, while Brock is in effect, the Junction 8 coast-bound slip road will be closed to all traffic. Those who are planning to head to the Eurotunnel or the port should plan their journeys ahead and check for any updates before heading out. The system has been described as a 'massive inconvenience' for residents, and Kent MPs have questioned whether it is necessary to put it in place during every school holiday. This will mark the second time that Operation Brock has been deployed in 2025, having been reintroduced ahead of the Easter half term in April. The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) said the decision was 'not taken lightly' and was made to help reduce delays at the Port of Dover and in the surrounding areas during the busy period. There is also a possibility that the contraflow could be reinstated for the summer holidays as it was in 2024 reports KentLiveNews. Drivers trapped in freezing conditions as motorway is CLOSED after collision It is yet to be confirmed whether or not the contraflow will make a return for summer 2025, and Kent County Council has said that the KMRF will 'take a view on the traffic management needed over the summer months once more accurate data is available.' However, the government is working on a permanent solution to the problem of congestion at the Port of Dover backing up traffic deep into Kent. The new system would use a combination of new digital technology and off-road sites to hold HGVs during disruption, but is still in the early planning stages. It comes after a lorry crash - with a huge oil spill - sparked "severe" hour-long delays. And traffic came to a halt on a popular motorway after a van caught fire, sparking chaos for bank holiday travellers.
