Latest news with #MartinGray
The National
17 hours ago
- The National
Holyrood Park's Low Road to partially re-open after 4-month closure
In March, the Low Road was closed after geotechnical inspections at Samson's Ribs revealed a risk of rockfall. The road's closure has led to events such as the Edinburgh Marathon and Edinburgh's Moonwalk to be rerouted. HES's latest statement also confirms ongoing efforts to explore options to safely re-open the road, beyond just the pavement. These include a range of technical designs currently being evaluated by specialist engineers. READ MORE: Glasgow Airport strike may have significant impact union 'keen to avoid' However, securing permissions, design approval, and funding for any road solution means this work could take 12-18 months to complete. An update is expected in two months. In an update to residents, the park management team said a 0.8 m tall concrete barrier, topped with a 2.2 m fence, will be installed alongside the pavement, and 0.3 m of aggregate will be laid on the carriageway to absorb falling debris and prevent rocks from bouncing into the cleared area. HES said it expects to finish this phase by the end of July, at which point the pavement will re-open and update signage will be installed. Work will begin from Monday 14 July, HES has since the closure emphasised action taken was a precaution to protect walkers, cyclists, and drivers as part of a longstanding rock safety programme in the park, an SSSI and Scheduled Ancient Monument. Another road, the Radical Road (campaigners below), has been closed since 2018 after a large rockfall. One recent engineering report noted 17 slate-rock incidents on Salisbury Crags since 2007, including a 50‑tonne fall in September 2023. Options considered ranged from permanent closure to installing netting or skipping the path entirely. Work toward safer access continues. Local campaigners and park users have long pressed HES to expedite reopening. In March, residents said they were frustrated at prolonged closures, citing traffic disruption and increased congestion in Duddingston when the Low Road was shut. Martin Gray from HES told residents: "Work will commence week beginning Monday July 14 to put in place the required infrastructure to enable safe pedestrian and dismounted cyclist access to return to this pavement." He added: "The target for completion of this installation work is the end of July. We will announce once the pavement has re-opened and signage in the surrounding area will be updated accordingly. READ MORE: 'How can we improve Holyrood Park?': Public asked to help with green space "In parallel to this work, our team, along with independent geo-technical engineers, have continued to consider, refine, and collate options which may permit safe public access to the carriageway. "These wide ranging and comprehensive options being considered will be presented to our Executive Leadership Team for consideration and agreement on next steps. Due to the complexities involved in the design options, resourcing, gaining relevant and legally required permissions, and subsequent construction of any option chosen, we would expect this work to take between twelve and eighteen months to complete. "We will provide a further update on our progress in two months' time."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Harsco Environmental Opens First SteelPhalt™ Plant Outside the UK
Located in Murga, Basque Country, Spain, the new plant will offer environmental asphalt solutions to the region SteelPhalt™ offers a true circular economy route for byproducts of the steel industry, offering high-quality asphalt without the use of natural aggregates ROTHERHAM, United Kingdom, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harsco Environmental, a division of Enviri Corporation (NYSE: NVRI) and renowned global market leader in delivering innovative environmental solutions, today announced the opening of a new, state-of-the-art SteelPhalt plant in Murga, Basque Country, Spain. The plant is slated to host a grand opening event on March 19, 2025. This significant development marks SteelPhalt's first permanent asphalt plant outside of the United Kingdom, reinforcing the business unit's commitment to expanding its footprint globally and advancing sustainable practices in the asphalt industry. With the inauguration of its plant in the Basque Country, SteelPhalt is poised to revolutionize the local asphalt market by offering environmentally friendly and superior-quality asphalt solutions. This new plant will contribute to meeting the region's environmental goals outlined in the Basque Country Waste Prevention and Management Plan 2030 and the Basque Country Circular Economy Strategy 2030. 'This advanced plant underscores our commitment to delivering sustainable solutions while focusing on the evolving needs of our regional customers,' said Director of Harsco Environmental's ecoproducts™ Europe division, Martin Gray. 'This plant symbolizes far more than a mere milestone; it's a profound testament to our dedication to growth, sustainability, and global impact.' The plant, situated in a highly industrial area, is designed to process more than 195,000 tons of slag per year, controlling the process from beginning to end. This allows for the production of more than 200,000 tons of sustainable asphalt products per year for regional roads while entering a steel byproduct into a valuable, perpetually recyclable product stream. 'I am honored to contribute to this groundbreaking project, which showcases innovation and addresses critical environmental challenges, providing an outstanding solution for the steel and asphalt industry,' said Operations Director at SteelPhalt, Mikel Barandalla. 'We're thrilled to expand our business by producing high-performance asphalt, effectively reducing the carbon footprint of road construction materials by up to 50%.' Harsco Environmental and its parent company, Enviri, remain steadfast in their mission to drive positive environmental change through innovative solutions. The inauguration of SteelPhalt's new plant is a testament to this commitment. Enviri continues to lead the way in promoting sustainability and advancing environmental stewardship worldwide by leveraging its expertise and cutting-edge technology. About SteelPhalt SteelPhalt, a Harsco Environmental company, has been making roads safer by developing and manufacturing high-performance asphalt products for roadmaking in the UK industry since the 1960s. Based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, SteelPhalt is ideally located to source slag cost-effectively from the surrounding steel industry to sustainably create asphalt. With a reputation for first-class products matched by a commitment to innovation and sustainability, SteelPhalt works in partnership with councils, local authorities, and contractors nationwide to deliver durable roads for a sustainable world. Visit to learn more. About Harsco Environmental Enviri's Harsco Environmental division is the largest and most comprehensive provider of onsite material processing and environmental services to the global metals industry, with operations at over 130 customer sites across more than 32 countries. Harsco Environmental is a technology partner delivering cleaner, more efficient metal production, providing customers with economically and environmentally viable solutions for the treatment and reuse of production co-products. Visit to learn more. Investor ContactDavid Martin+1.267.946.1407dmartin@ Media ContactKaren Tognarelli+1.717.480.6145ktognarelli@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
North East students celebrate World Book Day with renowned authors
Schools across the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET) celebrated World Book Day with a series of literary events. The celebrations aimed to inspire a love of reading among students of all ages. The event was part of the Trust's 'Between the Pages' initiative, which builds on the success of last year's celebrations. Students from up to 48 schools engaged with 12 renowned authors, including both national and writers from the region whose works are part of the curriculum. The trust encouraged schools to share their experiences on social media, further amplifying the celebration of World Book Day. The event was live-streamed on the trust's YouTube channel, allowing schools to join a continuous broadcast from 9am to 3.30pm. This meant schools could participate in a full day of events or access recordings later, ensuring maximum participation. The entire event was hosted by Mr Martin Gray, a primary headteacher from St Matthew's in Prudhoe. The day was inspired by the Trust's bespoke English curriculum, written by expert staff across Bishop Wilkinson schools. The texts currently being read by children in the curriculum were featured throughout the day. Notable contributors included Mitch Johnson, author of 'Kick', studied in Year 6, and Barbara Henderson, writer of 'The Chessmen Thief', studied in Year 5. Students submitted pre-selected questions, and Johnson unveiled exclusive details about his upcoming book during his session. A highlight of the event was a live session with Robert Tregoning, a former pupil of St Bede's Catholic Sixth Form College, Lanchester, who shared insights into his writing journey alongside his illustrator, Stef Murphy. Interactive sessions were a key feature of the day, with younger students enjoying a draw-along workshop with Nick Sharratt, acclaimed illustrator of 'Shark in the Park' and 'You Choose'. In addition, Joanna Nadin, returning for a third year, and local author Ross Welford captivated students with live discussions on his beloved series, 'The Worst Class in the World' and 'The Time Travelling Tortoise'. Nick Hurn, CEO of BWCET, said: "World Book Day is an important celebration across our Trust, fostering a deep love of reading and storytelling. "Seeing our students engage with inspiring authors and illustrators is incredibly rewarding, and we are proud to support and nurture their passion for literature."
