Latest news with #Solent
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Brave lad, 8, who suffers with underdeveloped arm tries out new prosthetic arm made with Lego design & real blocks
Tobi's prosthetic arm features pictures of Lego blocks and two real ones he can stick other pieces to ARM AND A LEGO Brave lad, 8, who suffers with underdeveloped arm tries out new prosthetic arm made with Lego design & real blocks A YOUNG lad tries out his new prosthetic arm — made with a Lego design and some real blocks. Tobi, eight, had the limb created specially for him at the Portsmouth Enablement Centre. Advertisement 3 Tobi tries out his new prosthetic arm — made with a Lego design and some real blocks Credit: Solent 3 Tobi, eight, had the limb created specially for him at the Portsmouth Enablement Centre Credit: SWNS He has been a visitor to the unit since he was just six months old to help with his underdeveloped arm. The team works with patients to personalise designs using lamination techniques. Tobi's features pictures of Lego blocks and two real ones he can stick other pieces to. Mum Debra said: 'The care he receives is phenomenal. Advertisement "They really listen to what Tobi wants and do everything they can to make it happen. "His new Lego-themed arm has been amazing - not only is it helping with everyday tasks, but he loves showing it off. "Most importantly, the team always makes sure Tobi feels included every step of the way. "We couldn't ask for better care, and we're so thankful for everything they do." Advertisement Lucy Riddle, Prosthetics Clinical Manager at PEC, added: "Every device we make is bespoke. "We work closely with each individual to ensure not only a comfortable fit, but also a design that reflects their personality. Astonishing footage shows world's first prosthetic hand controlled by magnets help amputee move 'simply by thinking' "Both are equally important to a person's confidence and wellbeing. "Our technicians enjoy being creative, whether it's crafting limbs with superhero designs or incorporating family photos, and the biggest reward is seeing the difference it makes to someone's life." Advertisement
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Ten jewels of English nature at risk from development and Labour's planning bill
More than 5,000 of the rarest and most precious natural habitats in England are at risk of being destroyed under Labour's new planning bill, according to legal analysis of the legislation. Here are just 10 irreplaceable wild places currently or recently imperilled by development that are likely to face renewed threats if the current wildlife protections are torn up by the government's bill. The best site in Britain for the endangered nightingale, Lodge Hill was made a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in 2013. But the following year it was earmarked for 5,000 new homes – the biggest attempt to build on an SSSI in England since the wildlife laws of 1981 came into force. After widespread protests from ecologists and nature charities, Homes England withdrew its plans and said it would develop just 500 houses on the former MoD land, outside the SSSI. The scrubby, song-filled paradise of dense woodland and grassland is renowned for its bat roosts, exceptional reptile population, rare butterflies, flowers and three species of owl. But in an area under huge housing pressure, the site that was once used for bomb disposal training and is classified as 'brownfield' is likely to be targeted for development once more. The mudflats and coastal meadows of Tipner West are an internationally important place for waders such as black-tailed godwit and dunlin, as well as a wealth of intertidal marine life. As part of Portsmouth harbour and the wider Solent, it is home to 30% of Britain's overwintering population of brent geese. The area is protected not only as a SSSI but also a special protection area (SPA) and Ramsar site – the highest tier of protection. However, in 2019, Portsmouth city council proposed a 'super peninsula' on the site – a large-scale land reclamation project for housing that would have destroyed vast swathes of habitat. After 24,000 people objected, the council withdrew that plan but has continued to push for land reclamation and housebuilding that jeopardises vital intertidal habitats. Under current laws, SPAs and Ramsar sites can be built on only if there are 'imperative reasons of overriding public interest' and no feasible alternatives. If building went ahead, the council would also have to create new mudflats and coastal meadows on a significantly greater scale than the area damaged. Such a high bar has never been hurdled by mere housing, and this spring the government rejected the council's request. The council is now exploring how it can continue its development plans. Sources say housing minister Matthew Pennycook is interested in Tipner West being one of the first developments to happen if the planning bill goes through, when the council will be able to pay into a nature restoration fund and no longer obliged to provide alternative habitats nearby. The Humber estuary has almost every conservation protection going – SPA, SAC, SSSI – while also being a major shipping channel. Remarkably, it's also responsible for 20% of all surface drainage in the UK. The habitats regulations have helped protect its natural functioning for decades, ensuring that docks expansions and sea defence projects don't destroy vital mudflats, sand flats and salt marsh for overwintering birds and declining breeding species such as little terns. Spurn Point, Yorkshire's own Land's End, is a hugely popular national nature reserve whose visitors contribute to the local economy. Planning reforms could disrupt the partnership between port, business and housing interests that has enabled economic development alongside wildlife protection. Further south, the similarly important Wash estuary is threatened by a tidal barrage proposal which says it has funding to pursue a development consent order. Thetford, a rapidly growing town of 25,000 with a 5,000-home urban extension under way, is surrounded by SSSIs, special areas of conservation (SACs) and the Brecks SPA. This unique region of sandy heaths and dry grassland is home to 72 species found nowhere else in Britain. It is of European-wide importance for rare plants, invertebrates and birds including curlew, nightjar, woodlark and stone curlew. Rare and declining species here include turtle dove, goshawk, long-eared owl and lesser spotted woodpecker. Birds such as nightjar and woodlark occur at lower densities in areas surrounded by housing, while heaths close to urban areas suffer from increased fire risk, trampling, disturbance by dog walkers, water pollution from dog fouling, and air pollution from road traffic. At the moment, there are protection zones for the stone curlews with no development permitted within 1,500m of a nesting site. Thanks partly to this protection, populations have increased. Under the new planning bill, however, developers can disregard such protections if they pay into a new nature restoration fund. An ecological assessment of Thetford's local plan said 'the proximity of the Breckland European site's boundary to the edge of the town in most directions remains a fundamental issue to overcome' before further homes can be built. A vulnerable wetland SSSI, the Wolborough Fen nature reserve is home to emperor dragonfly, sphagnum moss and 30 species of bird. It sits beside a major development of 1,200 new homes on the edge of Newton Abbot, which is earmarked to take a huge chunk of new homes planned for the region. Devon Wildlife Trust has warned a new road could jeopardise the wetland. A tranche of the development, for 150 homes, was rejected by planners in December because of concerns about damage to the wetland. Police were called in April when residents accused developer Vistry Homes of breaching the restrictions on its planning approvals. Local people blocked the bulldozers digging close to the nature reserve and the council issued a stop notice to halt the work. Richard Daws, an independent councillor on Teignbridge council, and one of those who faced down the bulldozers, said: 'There was no feeling of trespass, just a united sense of [people] having the courage of their convictions. 'The residents will continue to highlight unlawful acts by developers and call out any abdication of responsibility from the local planning authority who have a fundamental duty to protect an ancient and precious woodland, a hidden gem that is rare in the UK, with some species that can be found in only a few other sites in Europe.' Just 2.5% of Britain's ancient woodland – land continuously wooded since 1600 – survives. It represents an irreplaceable combination of veteran trees, undisturbed soils, fungal networks and rare flora. Two separate applications by Quinn Estates for 8,400 new homes, a hotel, rubbish tip, relief road and primary and secondary schools are subject to a planning hearing after Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, 'called in' proposals hours before they were set to be rejected by Swale borough council last November. According to Kent Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust, the plans entail the direct loss of ancient woodland, local wildlife sites and priority habitats including species-rich hedgerows and traditional Kentish orchards. The developments will also place indirect pressure – from pollution and people – on nearby Cromers Wood and Tonge Mill country park. Vulnerable species that would be directly affected include water vole, otter, yellowhammer, corn bunting, grey partridge and the critically endangered turtle dove. More than 700 local people have objected to the plans, which could sail through under the new legislation. Vast swathes of nature-rich heathland have been lost to housing over recent decades, because it is relatively cheap land and easy to build on. The surviving fragments of the Surrey Heaths – including Colony Bog and Bagshot Heath, Ash to Brookwood Heaths and Chobham Common – have historically been protected as SSSIs. They are part of the Thames Basin SPA, protected by the habitats regulations, which seeks to maintain internationally important bird populations of nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler. All of these species nest on or close to the ground and so are highly vulnerable to people-pressure, especially from dog – walkers. Under current planning laws, new homes close to vulnerable wildlife sites must provide suitable natural green space nearby so new residents don't disturb those sites. Under the new bill, developers will be able to pay to create such green spaces further away – potentially in other counties. Even if wildlife sites are not built on, this risks creating more disturbance leading to local extinctions of vulnerable species. Becky Pullinger, head of land use planning at the Wildlife Trusts, said: 'Places like the New Forest and the Surrey Heaths could be threatened by development that no longer has to avoid harm to those specific sites. On the Surrey Heaths, the clear impact the development can have is more people walking their dogs which can impact on birds in the area. Plans to hugely expand Southampton's container port and reclaim land on the New Forest side of Southampton Water were first rejected back in 2004. Doubling the capacity of the port would destroy grazing marshes and mudflats that provide nesting for lapwing and winter homes for 50,000 birds such as wigeon and pintail. The area is an SPA and contains several SSSIs, with Dibden Bay designated for its nationally important collection of invertebrates including 21 nationally rare species. The plans for a 1.85km-long deep quay would have destroyed 76 hectares (188 acres) of tidal foreshore designated as of international importance for birds. Associated roads would also threaten the New Forest national park. After being called in by the government, the then transport minister, Tony McNulty, accepted the planning inspector's recommendation to reject the proposals after a 13-month inquiry. In 2023, owners Associated British Ports refused to rule out another attempt to develop the 500-acre site but said any new planning application was 'many years away'. Under the new bill, mitigating for irreparable damage to protected sites caused by major infrastructure would become much simpler, making schemes such as Dibden Bay much more viable. A mosaic of woodlands that is home to a super-colony of rare barbastelle bats, the Wensum Woodlands has long been threatened by a 3.8-mile dual carriageway that would complete a third ring-road around Norwich. A series of connected colonies, including one of more than 105 barbastelles, live either on the route or close to the proposed road. The area is being considered for designation as a SSSI by Natural England, which has previously designated sites with just 20 or 30 colonies. In 2023, the government committed to paying for 80% of the road scheme, but cash-strapped Norfolk county council announced this year that Natural England's advice on the wildlife impacts meant it could not proceed with the £274m road, and withdrew its application. Landowners and developers have strongly pushed for the road, which they say will 'unlock' land for businesses and housing. The planning and infrastructure bill is likely to revive many such 'zombie' road projects. Earlier this year, Keir Starmer claimed that plans for 15,000 new homes in Ebbsfleet had been stymied by the discovery of the rare distinguished jumping spider, and blocked by Natural England. 'It's nonsense, and we'll stop it,' said the prime minister. In fact, the prime minister was talking nonsense: the vast majority of the 15,000 homes are being built, but 1,300 homes planned for Swanscombe Peninsula have been blocked. The peninsula – a portion of land on the fringe of the Ebbsfleet garden city project – was designated a SSSI by Natural England in 2021 because of its globally important collection of rare invertebrates. Nearly 2,000 species have been found at Swanscombe, making it one of the most biodiverse places in Britain. The existing planning regime has enabled a compromise, with thousands of new homes being built and the relatively modest SSSI protected. Under the planning bill, even SSSIs could be built upon in exchange for developers paying into the nature restoration fund, administered by Natural England which is both the executor and beneficiary of such schemes.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hovertravel awarded red plaque for 60 year transport service
The world's longest running commercial hovercraft operator has been recognised for its importance in the history of transport in the UK. Hovertravel, which runs ferries from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight, has been given two Red Wheel plaques by National Transport Trust at its Southsea and Ryde Red Wheel scheme has been given to the service to commemorate the work it has done to connect communities across the Solent since intended as a seasonal tourist attraction, it evolved into a vital year-round link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. Loretta Lale, head of marketing at Hovertravel, said: "We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from the National Transport Trust. "For 60 years, Hovertravel has been more than just a mode of transport; it has been a lifeline for communities, a draw for tourists, and a symbol of British innovation. "These Red Wheel plaques are a testament to the dedication of our team and the enduring support of our passengers."Stuart Wilkinson, Chair of the National Transport Trust said the Solent's hovercraft were "brilliant examples of a transport solution".He said the trust hoped it would inspire young people to consider a career in transport and engineering."Maybe there is a young person out there whose idea will become as important in the future as these hovercraft routes are today," he said. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
ITV News
7 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Solent ferry firm hails 'new era' of flying high-speed electric ferries in the UK
The boss of a Solent ferry company has hailed a "new era" of flying high-speed electric ferries in the UK. Red Funnel, which runs passenger and vehicle services between Southampton and Cowes, Isle of Wight, has partnered with Belfast-based firm Artemis Technologies to launch a zero-emissions foiling vessel next year. The 150-passenger ferry, which costs between £10-12 million to build, uses advanced hydrofoil technology and modularised battery systems. The hull lifts out above the water, which significantly reduces drag and wake so that the electric boat can travel longer distances at speed. The Red Funnel ferry will be plugged in for a quick charge each time it berths and is expected to save up to 3,700 tonnes of carbon emissions each year compared with conventional high-speed ferries. Its launch in 2026 will follow that of two others built by Artemis Technologies, which are expected to launch in Belfast and Orkney later this year. Iain Percy, Olympic sailing gold medallist and chief executive of Artemis Technologies, said the EF-24 Passenger is the first-ever electric foiling boat of this size in the world with permission to run commercial services. "The problem with electric ferries is they really can't go far or fast," he said, with challenges including drag and huge amounts of energy from the grid to the batteries that need to be carried on board. "The flying part here – the foil – it's the unlocker to do commercially viable range and speed." Fran Collins, Red Funnel's chief executive, said: 'This isn't just a new vessel. It's the beginning of a new era – defined by zero-emission technology, a smoother passenger experience, and a shared ambition to decarbonise ferry travel.' Speaking to a stakeholder audience at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, Ms Collins said the partnership with Artemis allowed Red Funnel to take a 'tangible' step in its decarbonisation journey with little risk. "I was blown away by the technology and blown away by the work and the research that had gone into this," she said. The cost of the ferry is an uplift of around 30% compared with conventional ferries but the firm will save an estimated £1 million a year on running costs, with a boat shelf-life of around 25 years, according to Mr Percy. Calls for government intervention over 'unreliable' Isle of Wight ferries Calls for 'ferociously expensive' ferry services to be regulated The Olympic sailor said the firm approached its mission to decarbonise maritime travel with 'the ability to save enough energy to justify the cost of the technology'. "The reality of the world is that we can't increase costs to decarbonise in the current environment. It's not going to happen," he said. This means both firms expect no increase in Red Funnel passenger fares when the service kicks off next year. On ticket prices, Ms Collins said: "Iain was very clear that his vision for this is that it's cost-neutral to put in the technology, and that's where we expect it to be. "So from a ticket price perspective, we're not going to put ticket prices up as a result of having the Artemis vessels in." She also said the new boat will help the firm cut service times back to pre-pandemic from 35 minutes to 30 minutes so they can better match up the journey with train times and improve the service's reliability. Red Funnel hopes to expand its fleet of electric foiling vehicles and introduce hybrid vehicle ferries but Ms Collins said the grid infrastructure remains a bottleneck to scaling their green ambitions. In the meantime, the firm has been calling for the Government to exempt lifeline services from the planned UK Emissions Trading Scheme, which will put a cap on the amount of carbon firms can emit while allowing them to buy more allowances to cover their excess. "I think we need to be very careful," she said. "I think that imposing charges on lifeline services when there's no alternative is wrong. "I think we need to incentivise us all to change but we cannot be responsible for putting in billions of pounds of infrastructure upgrades. "We have to be careful it doesn't just become a tax on people because it all comes back to the consumer."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maritime UK Solent brings careers insight to Seawork
Maritime UK Solent is set to return to the Seawork exhibition in Southampton to connect young people with maritime careers. The event, held at Mayflower Park from June 10 to 12, is Europe's largest commercial marine exhibition, featuring more than 400 exhibitors and 70 vessels. Maritime UK Solent will have a stand at the event, offering visitors the chance to meet key employers, learn about industry-led initiatives, and explore the benefits of joining its Partnership Programme. The programme champions the region's world-leading maritime cluster. Seawork 2025 promotes maritime pathways from ship design to marine law (Image: Maritime UK Solent) On June 11, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, a Training and Careers Insight Session will be held for teachers, tutors, and careers leaders supporting further education in STEM and technical subjects. This free session is particularly suited for those teaching carpentry, electrical and plumbing, engineering, computer science and IT, science and physics, and design and technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry employers, listen to short talks on careers in the commercial marine sector, and gain access to the Seawork exhibition. The session aims to provide insight into the opportunities available in the sector, from marine engineering and renewable energy to ship design, navigation, and maritime law. On June 12, from 9.30am to 3pm, Maritime UK Solent will support the Seawork Training and Careers Day, a free event for students in Year 8 and above. The event will feature a careers fair with more than 25 companies, live sessions with young professionals sharing their career journeys, and access to exhibition halls and the marina. Further information and details on how to register for both events are available on the Maritime UK Solent website. Anne-Marie Mountifield, chair at Maritime UK Solent, said: "We're excited to be back at Seawork, bringing real-world maritime experiences to life for educators and students alike. "This is a powerful opportunity to understand the exciting future the marine industry offers and to inspire young people to pursue fulfilling, STEM-based careers in a sector that is vital to the UK economy and global sustainability."
