Latest news with #StormEunice
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fresh hope for iconic hotel as talks spark optimism for its future
There is hope for the future of an iconic Weymouth hotel. The Riviera Hotel, at Bowleaze Cove, is a Grade II-listed art déco hotel built in 1937 which enjoys sweeping views across Weymouth Bay. Fencing went up around the site around two years ago, and the hotel stopped accepting bookings, sparking questions about its future. However, this future was recently discussed at the Weymouth Town Council full council meeting by Littlemoor and Preston councillor, Louie O'Leary. Cllr O'Leary revealed that he had a meeting with fellow ward councillor Peter Dickenson and the cabinet member for planning at Dorset Council. Cllr O'Leary said: 'A number of you will currently be aware it [the hotel] is empty and in a bit of a state. 'He [the cabinet member] is working with conservation and planning enforcement officers on the subject and the scaffolding has come down which we are unsure to know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.' However, the councillor further revealed that there has been some interest in the site. He added: 'We do have a meeting coming up with somebody that is interested in the future of the site which hopefully will be a positive. 'Whilst it is a ward issue, it is one that affects the skyline of Weymouth, as it were, and one that affects the whole town, so, hopefully, we can get a positive way forward on that.' Last year, a member of staff at the site told the Echo that work was still going on at the site, at that time, repairs to the roof ahead of a refurbishment - though no timeline was given as to when it might re-open. The hotel, which became a listed building in 1997, was used by authorities to house homeless people during the pandemic. It suffered a major blow in February 2022 when the ballroom roof collapsed after damage caused by Storm Eunice. The following year, the 98-bedroom hotel was put on a list of 'most threatened buildings in the country of demolition, redevelopment or neglect' by the Twentieth Century Society. The future of the Weymouth venue made headlines in 2021 after estate agency Rolfe East took it off the market due to difficulty selling properties amid the pandemic. It had been up for sale for £5.5 million. The Riviera has had several owners over the years, including holiday camp owner Fred Pontin and Saudi Arabian investors. In July of this year, several youths gained entry to the grounds, sparking a police warning not to enter the site.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wiltshire in pictures: Sun, wonky roads and pigeons
We're almost a week into April and it's been a particularly bright start to the month with temperatures reaching 22C (71F) on Friday afternoon. With the warmer weather, gardens and outdoor attractions are opening to the public for the first time this year - or, in the case of the walled garden at Bowood, for the first time ever. Also this week we have had the news the B4069 Lyneham Banks has reopened three years after a devastating landslip, a charity marathon runner is raising money for the air ambulance and a pet pigeon has been getting some attention in Devizes. 270 year wait: Bowood House and Gardens, near Chippenham, has opened its walled garden to the public. The estate opened for the year on Tuesday, but for the first time is allowing access to its usually private garden. Reach for the skies: Charity marathon runner Gary MacAlister is looking to break a Guinness World Record when doing Bristol Half Marathon dressed as a helicopter next month. The Trowbridge native will be running to raise money for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance while dressed in an outfit which has been dubbed the Garycopter. Hope for the future: A mural created by young people in Swindon has been unveiled across two sites in the town. The artwork, which appears on both a new youth centre and on a children's hospital ward, features a drawing of a whale guided by butterflies towards a light bulb to show hope for a brighter future for all youngsters in Swindon. Centre stage: Abbie Smith from Chippenham got a selfie with a 5,000-strong crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2023, was at a fundraising concert featuring rock band The Who. The event raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. It's a bird's life: Pam Welfare has been speaking to the BBC about her pet pigeon Pepper, who accompanies her everywhere she goes. Pepper travels with Pam, often on her shoulder and for journeys further afield, she even has her own car seat. Back in business: Lyneham Banks road has opened this week after a three year closure. Dubbed Britain's wonkiest road after a landslip during Storm Eunice, the reopening of the B4069 reconnects Chippenham and Lyneham, saving commuters a lengthy diversion to the south. Railway pioneer: A blue plaque has been unveiled in Swindon, celebrating the life of James Hurst, the first locomotive shunter for the Great Western Railway. The plaque has been placed above the front door of Hurst's final residence on Taunton Street. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wiltshire in Pictures: Let the music play Wiltshire in pictures: Sunshine and Shrove Tuesday Wiltshire in pics: Spring equinox and indoor moon
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine, wonky roads and pigeons
We're almost a week into April and it's been a particularly bright start to the month with temperatures reaching 22C (71F) on Friday the warmer weather, gardens and outdoor attractions are opening to the public for the first time this year - or, in the case of the walled garden at Bowood, for the first time this week we have had the news the B4069 Lyneham Banks has reopened three years after a devastating landslip, a charity marathon runner is raising money for the air ambulance and a pet pigeon has been getting some attention in Devizes. 270 year wait: Bowood House and Gardens, near Chippenham, has opened its walled garden to the public. The estate opened for the year on Tuesday, but for the first time is allowing access to its usually private garden. Reach for the skies: Charity marathon runner Gary MacAlister is looking to break a Guinness World Record when doing Bristol Half Marathon dressed as a helicopter next Trowbridge native will be running to raise money for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance while dressed in an outfit which has been dubbed the Garycopter. Hope for the future: A mural created by young people in Swindon has been unveiled across two sites in the artwork, which appears on both a new youth centre and on a children's hospital ward, features a drawing of a whale guided by butterflies towards a light bulb to show hope for a brighter future for all youngsters in Swindon. Centre stage: Abbie Smith from Chippenham got a selfie with a 5,000-strong crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2023, was at a fundraising concert featuring rock band The Who. The event raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. It's a bird's life: Pam Welfare has been speaking to the BBC about her pet pigeon Pepper, who accompanies her everywhere she travels with Pam, often on her shoulder and for journeys further afield, she even has her own car seat. Back in business: Lyneham Banks road has opened this week after a three year closure. Dubbed Britain's wonkiest road after a landslip during Storm Eunice, the reopening of the B4069 reconnects Chippenham and Lyneham, saving commuters a lengthy diversion to the south. Railway pioneer: A blue plaque has been unveiled in Swindon, celebrating the life of James Hurst, the first locomotive shunter for the Great Western plaque has been placed above the front door of Hurst's final residence on Taunton Street.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The complex operation to fix 'UK's wonkiest road'
After three years and one month, 7,500 tonnes of stone and £5m spent, the road dubbed 'the UK's wonkiest' has been fixed - but why did it take so long to repair? In February 2022 the B4069 Lyneham Banks in Wiltshire gave way, suffering a landslip after Storm Eunice. It was closed and slipped even more, causing huge cracks in the surface and leading to it becoming a playground for BMX riders. About 90 metres of the road was lost. That might not sound like much, but the fix has required some serious engineering - much more than just laying some tarmac. In fact, the tarmacking and painting only took about a week. But what went before was far more complex, not least because the road was still slowly sliding away. Wiltshire Council said it had to wait for the land to mostly stop moving before it could do much. It also had to get a lot of ground investigations done, something the council has said was "absolutely necessary" and means the same problem should not happen again. The new section of road and its supports has been designed to last around 120 years and took 25,000 work hours. Contractors Octavius did the work, which the company perhaps understatedly described as "a challenge", starting in July 2024. "The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, and such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions," said Chris Hudson, operations director of Octavius' highways business. Massive excavators and cranes were needed - something made trickier by being in a rural area with limited access to the site. The repair crews also had extra issues with more wet weather and not wanting to make the slipping worse. "We came with an initial plan - the access changed that plan several times. We adapted," said Mr Hudson. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire He explained that masses of earth had to be taken away to make the area more stable. Then a 108m-long huge retaining wall had to be put in place. Big concrete pillars called bored piles - 120 of them - were put into the ground. They go down 14 metres. To put that into perspective, most UK homes would not have foundations beyond a couple of metres into the earth. A large beam was then put on top of those and the slope above and below the road was reshaped with new drainage, using 560m of drainage channels and grates and 1,000 tonnes of stone counterforts. Altogether for the project, 650 cubic metres of concrete was needed and 2,370 bags of grout. There have been finishing touches too - 600 new plants now run alongside the road. The road would usually take around 5,500 vehicles a day, but for three years these have all been diverted through smaller villages. Locals have said they are thrilled to have it re-open and Wiltshire Council has thanked the community for its patience Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure Repairs approved for Wiltshire's 'wonky road' Residents concerned over B4069 Lyneham Banks repairs Wiltshire Council
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The complex operation to fix 'UK's wonkiest road'
After three years and one month, 7,500 tonnes of stone and £5m spent, the road dubbed 'the UK's wonkiest' has been fixed - but why did it take so long to repair? In February 2022 the B4069 Lyneham Banks in Wiltshire gave way, suffering a landslip after Storm Eunice. It was closed and slipped even more, causing huge cracks in the surface and leading to it becoming a playground for BMX riders. About 90 metres of the road was lost. That might not sound like much, but the fix has required some serious engineering - much more than just laying some tarmac. In fact, the tarmacking and painting only took about a week. But what went before was far more complex, not least because the road was still slowly sliding away. Wiltshire Council said it had to wait for the land to mostly stop moving before it could do much. It also had to get a lot of ground investigations done, something the council has said was "absolutely necessary" and means the same problem should not happen again. The new section of road and its supports has been designed to last around 120 years and took 25,000 work hours. Contractors Octavius did the work, which the company perhaps understatedly described as "a challenge", starting in July 2024. "The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, and such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions," said Chris Hudson, operations director of Octavius' highways business. Massive excavators and cranes were needed - something made trickier by being in a rural area with limited access to the site. The repair crews also had extra issues with more wet weather and not wanting to make the slipping worse. "We came with an initial plan - the access changed that plan several times. We adapted," said Mr Hudson. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire He explained that masses of earth had to be taken away to make the area more stable. Then a 108m-long huge retaining wall had to be put in place. Big concrete pillars called bored piles - 120 of them - were put into the ground. They go down 14 metres. To put that into perspective, most UK homes would not have foundations beyond a couple of metres into the earth. A large beam was then put on top of those and the slope above and below the road was reshaped with new drainage, using 560m of drainage channels and grates and 1,000 tonnes of stone counterforts. Altogether for the project, 650 cubic metres of concrete was needed and 2,370 bags of grout. There have been finishing touches too - 600 new plants now run alongside the road. The road would usually take around 5,500 vehicles a day, but for three years these have all been diverted through smaller villages. Locals have said they are thrilled to have it re-open and Wiltshire Council has thanked the community for its patience Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure Repairs approved for Wiltshire's 'wonky road' Residents concerned over B4069 Lyneham Banks repairs Wiltshire Council
