Latest news with #StuartWalker
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Scotsman
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
The near 100-mile-long major Scottish road targeted by new dualling campaign after fatal crashes
Route links England with Northern Ireland ferry ports. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A key route between England and the Northern Ireland ferry ports in Dumfries and Galloway should be fast-tracked to become a dual carriageway following a series of fatal crashes, the Scottish Conservatives have urged. The call follows at least five deaths on the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The single carriageway A75 is a key freight route which spans Dumfries and Galloway | Stuart Walker/SWSTA The single carriageway road, which is nearly 100 miles long, links the M6 with Cairnryan, from where Stena Line and P&O operate to Belfast and Larne. Transport Scotland last year announced work on options to bypass the last villages on the road - Springholm and Crocketford - thanks to funding from the UK government, even though it is not responsible for roads in Scotland. However, South Scotland Conservative MSP Craig Hoy and Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson launched a campaign on Thursday for emergency legislation to dual 'key sections' by 2031, and the rest 'as quickly as possible thereafter'. Fatalities this year include a 77-year-old woman who was a passenger in a car that collided with a van on May 28 at Auchenlarie, between Newton Stewart and Castle Douglas. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Weeks earlier, a 67-year-old female car driver died in a collision with another car on May 3 between Castle Douglas and Bridge of Dee. At least three people were taken to hospital after two crashes on the road this month, between East Riggs and Gretna, and near Creetown. New temporary average speed cameras on a seven-mile stretch between Newton Street and Creetown are due to start operating in mid-August to boost camera van enforcement. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The MSPs said the proposed emergency law would include measures to speed up environmental impact assessments, which they said could hold up work, and to establish 'infrastructure investment partnerships' to help attract private investment. Mr Carson said: 'As someone who has lived along the A75 my whole life, I know just how important it is and how desperately we need to see it fully dualled. The SNP are full of warm words, but continue to treat the A75 as a low priority. 'Motorists' lives are at risk every time they drive this road due to the SNP's inaction. It is disgraceful they fail to recognise the importance of the A75 for the local and national economy, given the port at Cairnryan. 'If this road isn't finally dualled, then there is a threat of businesses taking their trade elsewhere, which would be a hammer blow for south-west Scotland.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Hoy said: 'Despite sustained calls from local campaigners, communities and businesses, successive SNP transport ministers have been asleep at the wheel and failed to deliver the upgrades they promised.' Transport Scotland said it was focusing on the Springholm and Crocketford upgrades, where work was 'proceeding at pace' on the design and assessment of options. Crocketford is one of the last two villages on the A75 to be bypassed | Stuart Walker/SWSTA The body's spokesperson said: 'We will continue to press the UK government to support future stages of this project, which is vital for improving the road connection between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. 'The strategic importance of the A75 to Scotland's economy is recognised by the [Scottish] Government. It provides a critical link to the markets in the rest of the UK and Europe. That is why we have already completed six major roads improvement projects with a total value of over £50 million.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scoop
27-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Carrfields To Take Over MANITOU Agricultural Equipment Retail Distribution For New Zealand Alongside Giltrap Agrizone
Carrfields will work alongside Giltrap Agrizone, who will continue to distribute and retail Manitou in the Upper North Island. AB Equipment will continue to distribute the Manitou product range for industrial and construction equipment in New Zealand. Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the Lower North Island and the South Island, effective 1st August 2025. Carrfields will work alongside Giltrap Agrizone, who will continue to distribute and retail Manitou in the Upper North Island. AB Equipment will continue to distribute the Manitou product range for industrial and construction equipment in New Zealand. Carrfields Managing Director Craig Carr says, 'Manitou will complement our current machinery portfolio, which includes the well-established global brands of HORSCH, KRONE, MacDon, Novag, Grange, Coolamon, and Anderson. By adding another reputable brand in Manitou, Carrfields will be able to offer a solution in material handling for the agricultural sector. Established in 1958, Manitou have a long history in the materials handling space and has been manufacturing telescopic agricultural machines for over 45 years. The investment and knowledge that have been committed to engineering the Manitou Telehandler in Ancenis, France are very impressive and present an exciting opportunity to us all. Stuart Walker, Manitou Managing Director, said, 'We are thrilled to have Carrfields join our network as Agricultural material handling specialists. Their dedication to customer care and services aligns perfectly with our values. Their impressive previous market share and customer satisfaction history make Carrfields great partners as we look to grow our presence in New Zealand. Manitou has been serving farmers globally for decades and is fully aware of the constraints and business issues in the AG market, offering versatile handling equipment that accompanies professionals in all their agricultural activities.'
Scoop
27-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Carrfields To Take Over MANITOU Agricultural Equipment Retail Distribution For New Zealand Alongside Giltrap Agrizone
Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the Lower North Island and the South Island, effective 1st August 2025. Carrfields will work alongside Giltrap Agrizone, who will continue to distribute and retail Manitou in the Upper North Island. AB Equipment will continue to distribute the Manitou product range for industrial and construction equipment in New Zealand. Carrfields Managing Director Craig Carr says, 'Manitou will complement our current machinery portfolio, which includes the well-established global brands of HORSCH, KRONE, MacDon, Novag, Grange, Coolamon, and Anderson. By adding another reputable brand in Manitou, Carrfields will be able to offer a solution in material handling for the agricultural sector. Established in 1958, Manitou have a long history in the materials handling space and has been manufacturing telescopic agricultural machines for over 45 years. The investment and knowledge that have been committed to engineering the Manitou Telehandler in Ancenis, France are very impressive and present an exciting opportunity to us all. Stuart Walker, Manitou Managing Director, said, 'We are thrilled to have Carrfields join our network as Agricultural material handling specialists. Their dedication to customer care and services aligns perfectly with our values. Their impressive previous market share and customer satisfaction history make Carrfields great partners as we look to grow our presence in New Zealand. Manitou has been serving farmers globally for decades and is fully aware of the constraints and business issues in the AG market, offering versatile handling equipment that accompanies professionals in all their agricultural activities.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
On this day in 2015: Queensbury's second 1940s Day takes place
On this day in 2015, the Telegraph and Argus reported that Queensbury had turned back the clock with its second 1940s Day. The event, held on Chapel Street, featured military vehicles, wartime music, a fun fair, and crowds dressed in vintage attire. Stuart Walker, one of the organisers, said: "It was excellent. "There was a lot more happening this year than last year - it was much bigger. "People didn't want to leave at the end." The first time that the event took place was in 2014 (the previous year), and organisers were described in the 2015 reporting as hoping "it becomes a regular part of village life."
The Courier
03-06-2025
- General
- The Courier
Dundee bus station toilets closed indefinitely due to 'repeated and severe vandalism'
The toilets at Dundee bus station have been closed indefinitely due to 'repeated and severe vandalism'. Stagecoach East Scotland, which runs the station, says 'several approaches' to reducing anti-social behaviour in the facilities have not worked. As a result, passengers can no longer use the Seagate toilets, except for disabled visitors. It has not been confirmed if the toilets will reopen. Bus user Stuart Walker, 62, from Inverkeilor in Angus, contacted The Courier to express his disappointment at the move. He said: 'It's a legal requirement for motorway service stations to provide toilets 24/7, so why isn't it for bus stations? 'With the exception of Radar key holders (for disabled toilets) there are no alternatives nearby. 'No reference has been made to other options inside the bus station.' A sign in the station says the toilets are shut due to 'repeated and severe vandalism'. It adds: 'Despite our efforts, including restricted opening hours and installing a barrier system, we have been unable to prevent the damage. 'However, the disabled toilet remains open on the main road (Seagate) for Radar key holders.' Stuart added: 'There is a toilet in the cafe across the road, which you can use if you buy a coffee. 'Your only other options are at the shopping centre or in the city centre. 'Most Stagecoach vehicles don't have toilets. 'Even the (larger) X7 vehicles sometimes don't have a toilet. 'This is an important inter-city coach station, and the lack of facilities cannot help Dundee's image to visitors.' A Stagecoach East Scotland spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, the toilets at Dundee bus station have had to be closed due to ongoing and serious vandalism. 'Over time, we've tried several approaches like reducing opening hours and installing barriers. 'Unfortunately, these measures haven't been enough to prevent repeated damage. 'It's reached a point where it's no longer safe or practical to keep the facilities open. 'The accessible toilet remains available for Radar key holders. 'While there are still occasional issues, the level of misuse is much lower and currently manageable. 'We understand how important public toilets are and we're continuing to look at long-term solutions that balance accessibility with safety.'
