Latest news with #HighwaysEngland
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Schoolboy, 11, killed in horror minibus crash on M4 that also left child, 6, dead is pictured
AN 11-year-old boy who died in a horror minibus crash has been pictured for the first time. Othniel Adoma was 5 Othniel Adoma was killed in the incident Credit: Thames Valley Police 5 Another boy, aged six, was also killed, though has not been identified Credit: Thames Valley Police 5 No arrests have yet been made Credit: Thames Valley Police Cops have now confirmed his name and released several photos of the tragic child. At around 2.25pm on Sunday, May 11, a white Ford Transit minibus overturned at the exit slip road onto the A329M. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. As was confirmed last month, another child, a six-year-old boy, also died in the collision. READ MORE NEWS Five other children who were injured in the collision have now been discharged from hospital. Thames Valley Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit is investigating the collision. No arrests have been made at this time. At the time, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "The M4 eastbound exit slip road onto the A329M at J10 remains closed as we deal with a major incident. Most read in The Sun "Officers remain at the scene after a minibus overturned. This was a single vehicle collision and no arrests have been made. "Sadly, a child died in the collision and our thoughts remain with the family who are being supported at this extremely difficult time. "Other passengers sustained serious injuries, requiring hospital treatment. "We would ask motorists to continue to avoid the area. Thank you." Six ambulances and five critical care units were at the scene, according to South Central Ambulance Service. Do you know more? Email 5 The M4 was closed to traffic in Berkshire after the crash Credit: Highways England 5 An air ambulance was called to the scene Credit: Highways England
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Highways England 'set to remove' M6 and M5 motorway lights to hit carbon emissions targets
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Officials at Highways England are preparing to give the red light to more than 140 miles of motorway illumination across some of Britain's busiest stretches in a bid to reduce carbon emissions, including the M6 and M5 through Birmingham. The controversial move has come to light following a parliamentary question. Despite concerns, Highways England is pushing ahead even after an earlier initiative to switch off lights was scrapped in 2019 due to an uptick in accidents. Highways England disclosed that it's currently piloting the blackout of specific road segments with the intention of eventually taking out the lights for good. During this test phase, they'll measure the accident rate against data from the past five years, and if the analysis gives the green light, those lights will be switched off permanently. As of now, two long stretches lie in darkness: one spans from the M6 Keele Bank services down to Strensham Services on the M5—summing up to approximately 91 miles of critical highway—and another covers the gap from the M27 J12 to the M3 J13, totalling about 54 miles. The matter was thrust into the spotlight by Conservative Rebecca Paul through a formal written question to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander inquiring: "What recent discussions she has had with National Highways on its programme of (a) turning off and (b) removing lights on motorways." Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood replied, saying the change was being made to hit net zero targets: 'The Department meets monthly with National Highways to discuss its performance and delivery. This includes discussions on the company's actions to meet its Key Performance Indicator targets, one of which is Corporate Carbon reduction. 'Electricity used to light the strategic road network is by far the biggest contributor to National Highways' overall carbon emissions. To meet the reduction target, National Highways has been trialling turning off some sections of lighting, where it has been assessed safe to do so, alongside its LED replacement programme.' A National Highways spokesperson said: 'Safety is our priority and any decision to remove lighting is fully researched and carefully considered. This allows us to use taxpayers money on improving other elements of the road network that bring greater safety benefits for drivers while reducing our carbon output.' The organisation, which oversees around 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads in England, is conducting a year-long trial switch-off on sections of the motorway before considering lighting removal, comparing against nighttime casualty figures from the past five years. With plans to convert 70% of street lighting assets to LED by 2027, all road sections are under review for potential light removal. This follows a previous initiative between 2009 and 2019 when motorway lighting was turned off between midnight and 5am on approximately 100 miles of the network, with some lights remaining off entirely. A Highways England report examined reported road casualties during this period. According to the report, the number of casualties on previously unlit sections that had been lit rose by 88% (from 93 to 175) between 2010 and 2017. .In 2019, it was revealed that Highways England had stopped turning off motorway lights at midnight since 2018, citing the installation of LED lighting as the reason. Richard Leonard, Head of Road Safety, stated at the time: 'Safety is our top priority. On our roads, we light what needs to be lit, and we know where those locations are. We have a better understanding of where nighttime collisions occur and the impact road lighting would have. This means we can target lighting where it is needed, rather than putting lights everywhere." "We are absolutely committed to further reducing deaths and injuries on England's motorways and major A roads. This will require a concerted effort and investment over the long term." Highways England noted that data suggested a higher likelihood of being involved in a casualty incident on a lit section of road, although pointed out this may be due to the fact that lighting is often installed on more hazardous sections of the network.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major motorway CLOSED in both directions after ‘serious' crash with multiple air ambulances landing
HORROR CRASH Major motorway CLOSED in both directions after 'serious' crash with multiple air ambulances landing Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE M4 in Berkshire is closed in both directions after a "very serious" crash on the motorway "involving an overturned vehicle" this afternoon. The collision happened on the eastbound carriageway between junction J11 (Reading) and J10 (A329M/Wokingham). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The M4 closed to traffic in Berkshire due to a serious crash Credit: Highways England Six ambulances and five critical care units were at the scene on Sunday afternoon, according to South Central Ambulance Service. National Highways said the crash was "major", resulting in "a serious injury". The M4 in Berkshire is currently closed eastbound, between junctions 11 and 10, and westbound, between junctions 8/9 and 11, the highways agency added. It said Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue and Thames Valley Police were called to the scene. The road is "expected to remain closed for some time", National Highways said. It reported "severe" delays on the closures in both directions - in part due to broken-down vehicles in the queues. There are also reports of a vehicle fire between J7 and J8 nearby on the westbound carriageway. As a result of the crash, London-bound vehicles face 30-minute delays and three miles of congestion on approach. Road diversions have been put in place.
Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
M1 CLOSED after horror lorry fire as emergency services race to scene – with drivers facing huge delays
Drivers have been warned to plan ahead HORROR BLAZE M1 CLOSED after horror lorry fire as emergency services race to scene – with drivers facing huge delays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE M1 is shut after a lorry horrifically caught on fire - as emergency services raced to the scene. Motorists have been urged to plan ahead as all traffic has been held between J29 and 28 for Chesterfield and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The M1 is shut after a lorry horrifically caught on fire - as emergency services raced to the scene Credit: Highways England 2 Drivers have been warned of long delays as a recovery team deals with the incident Credit: Highways England Police and the fire service were called at just after 6am to reports of a lorry engulfed in flames. Drivers have been warned of long delays as a recovery team deals with the incident. Two lanes remain closed on the M1 Southbound from J29 A617 (Chesterfield/Mansfield) to J28 A38 (Alfreton/Mansfield). National Highways East Midlands said: "Traffic has been stopped on the M1 southbound in Derbyshire between J29 (Chesterfield) and J28 (Mansfield) due to a lorry fire. "Emergency services are just arriving on scene. Thanks for your patience if you're held up." This comes just hours after the motorway shut in both directions, following a crash which sparked four-mile queues during rush hour. Huge queues built up during rush hour as the motorway was completely closed between Lutterworth and Leicester for northbound traffic. National Highways said previously: "Lane 3 (of 3) is closed on the #M1 northbound between J20 (#Lutterworth) and J21 (#M69 #Leicester) due to a collision. "Traffic Officers are on scene. "There are 30 min delays above normal journey time with 4 miles congestion." The collision happened on the northbound side near Dunton Bassett, Leicester, yesterday afternoon following a crash including a motorbike. The traffic organisation urged drivers to "please allow time" for delays to clear. Google Maps suggested traffic was taking around half an hour to pass through the five-mile-long affected section. Real-time traffic data analysis taken by Inrix stated the crash happened in the third lane of the motorway near the central reservation. In an update issued yesterday afternoon, National Highways said: "All lanes have reopened on the M1 northbound between J20 (Lutterworth) and J21 (M69/Leicester) following an earlier collision. "There are 3 miles congestion following this incident so please allow time for delays to clear."
The Irish Sun
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
M1 CLOSED after horror lorry fire as emergency services race to scene – with drivers facing huge delays
THE M1 is shut after a lorry horrifically caught on fire - as emergency services raced to the scene. Motorists have been urged to plan ahead as all traffic has been held between J29 and 28 for Chesterfield and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. 2 The M1 is shut after a lorry horrifically caught on fire - as emergency services raced to the scene Credit: Highways England 2 Drivers have been warned of long delays as a recovery team deals with the incident Credit: Highways England Police and the fire service were called at just after 6am to reports of a lorry engulfed in flames. Drivers have been warned of long delays as a recovery team deals with the incident. Two lanes remain closed on the M1 Southbound from J29 A617 (Chesterfield/Mansfield) to J28 A38 (Alfreton/Mansfield). National Highways East Midlands said: "Traffic has been stopped on the M1 southbound in Derbyshire between J29 (Chesterfield) and J28 (Mansfield) due to a lorry fire. Read more on News "Emergency services are just arriving on scene. Thanks for your patience if you're held up." This comes just hours after the motorway shut in both directions, following a crash which sparked four-mile queues during rush hour. Huge queues built up during rush hour as the motorway was completely closed between Lutterworth and Leicester for northbound traffic. National Highways said previously: "Lane 3 (of 3) is closed on the Most read in The Sun "Traffic Officers are on scene. "There are 30 min delays above normal journey time with 4 miles congestion." The collision happened on the northbound side near Dunton Bassett, Leicester, yesterday afternoon following a crash including a motorbike. The traffic organisation urged drivers to "please allow time" for delays to clear. Google Maps suggested traffic was taking around half an hour to pass through the five-mile-long affected section. Real-time traffic data analysis taken by Inrix stated the crash happened in the third lane of the motorway near the central reservation. In an update issued yesterday afternoon, National Highways said: "All lanes have reopened on the M1 northbound between J20 (Lutterworth) and J21 (M69/Leicester) following an earlier collision. "There are 3 miles congestion following this incident so please allow time for delays to clear."
