Latest news with #WiltshireCouncil
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Wiltshire Council rejects motion to end carbon neutral aims
A motion to change carbon reduction targets has been rejected by a council, as progress to reduce emissions Tuesday, Wiltshire Council rejected a motion that called for the authority not to be "constrained by unachievable county-wide 2030 carbon reduction targets".In February 2019, the council passed a motion acknowledging a climate emergency and to seek to make the county carbon neutral by 2030. This latest decision suggests the council still has faith in its existing strategy, and remains confident that its current trajectory will meet the set climate goals. 'Demanding' target The new motion sought to replace the 2019 vote, but it was rejected by 45 votes to 23, with 19 proposal stated: "This council should not be constrained by a motion demanding unachievable county-wide 2030 carbon reduction targets as set out in the 'climate emergency motion', and so repudiates it." Cllr Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, said he was "delighted" the motion had not succeeded."Our programme of climate action has made demonstrable financial savings since its introduction, so it is disappointing that this motion was brought forward," he said."We are on track to become carbon neutral as an organisation by 2030, and our 2025 Climate Delivery Plan is already delivering significant climate-related benefits, while also saving money for Wiltshire taxpayers."The climate emergency affects us all and that is why it is essential that we do all we can to continue to reduce carbon emissions throughout Wiltshire."The council's existing strategies include investing in energy-efficient LED lighting for streetlights, improving energy efficiency in council buildings, and using "cleaned carbon dioxide" from landfills to grow food.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Residents told to plan for six-week road closure
Residents and motorists are advised to check before they travel ahead of a full road closure lasting six weeks. The B3108 Lower Stoke in Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire, will be closed from 06:00 BST on Monday for Network Rail to carry out essential repairs to the railway bridge over the road. The work is due to be completed by 18:00 on 31 August. Wiltshire Council said diversions would be in place and pedestrian access under the bridge would continue, but overnight closures might be introduced. Councillor Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "We understand this closure will cause disruption, but these works are vital for public safety and the continued operation of the railway." The council will monitor the impact the closure has on traffic, particularly in the surrounding villages. The authority will take "appropriate action" to mitigate any major issues, Mr Smith added. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The closure will also affect the D1 FirstBus service. Throughout the works, the service will take a more direct route between Bradford on Avon and Bath via Sally-in-the-Woods. A free shuttle bus, operated by Beeline, will transport passengers travelling to and from Bradford on Avon. It will run between the town and Winsley Village during daytime hours from Monday to Sunday. Passengers travelling to Bath from Winsley can take the shuttle to Bradford on Avon before changing to the D1 or D1x at Christ Church. Those heading to Trowbridge can change at the Bradford on Avon Town Bridge. The D1 will continue to serve Winsley village and Winsley Road during the evening from 18:05 and all day on Sundays and public holidays. However, the diversion route will take longer, so passengers are warned there may be some delays to their journey. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Residents told to plan for six-week road closure
Residents and motorists are advised to check before they travel ahead of a full road closure lasting six weeks. The B3108 Lower Stoke in Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire, will be closed from 06:00 BST on Monday for Network Rail to carry out essential repairs to the railway bridge over the road. The work is due to be completed by 18:00 on 31 August. Wiltshire Council said diversions would be in place and pedestrian access under the bridge would continue, but overnight closures might be introduced. Councillor Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "We understand this closure will cause disruption, but these works are vital for public safety and the continued operation of the railway." The council will monitor the impact the closure has on traffic, particularly in the surrounding villages. The authority will take "appropriate action" to mitigate any major issues, Mr Smith added. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The closure will also affect the D1 FirstBus service. Throughout the works, the service will take a more direct route between Bradford on Avon and Bath via Sally-in-the-Woods. A free shuttle bus, operated by Beeline, will transport passengers travelling to and from Bradford on Avon. It will run between the town and Winsley Village during daytime hours from Monday to Sunday. Passengers travelling to Bath from Winsley can take the shuttle to Bradford on Avon before changing to the D1 or D1x at Christ Church. Those heading to Trowbridge can change at the Bradford on Avon Town Bridge. The D1 will continue to serve Winsley village and Winsley Road during the evening from 18:05 and all day on Sundays and public holidays. However, the diversion route will take longer, so passengers are warned there may be some delays to their journey. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Limpley Stoke residents urged to plan ahead of full road closure
Residents and motorists are advised to check before they travel ahead of a full road closure lasting six B3108 Lower Stoke in Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire, will be closed from 06:00 BST on Monday for Network Rail to carry out essential repairs to the railway bridge over the road. The work is due to be completed by 18:00 on 31 August. Wiltshire Council said diversions would be in place and pedestrian access under the bridge would continue, but overnight closures might be Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "We understand this closure will cause disruption, but these works are vital for public safety and the continued operation of the railway." The council will monitor the impact the closure has on traffic, particularly in the surrounding villages. The authority will take "appropriate action" to mitigate any major issues, Mr Smith added. The closure will also affect the D1 FirstBus the works, the service will take a more direct route between Bradford on Avon and Bath via Sally-in-the-Woods. A free shuttle bus, operated by Beeline, will transport passengers travelling to and from Bradford on will run between the town and Winsley Village during daytime hours from Monday to Sunday. Passengers travelling to Bath from Winsley can take the shuttle to Bradford on Avon before changing to the D1 or D1x at Christ heading to Trowbridge can change at the Bradford on Avon Town Bridge. The D1 will continue to serve Winsley village and Winsley Road during the evening from 18:05 and all day on Sundays and public holidays. However, the diversion route will take longer, so passengers are warned there may be some delays to their journey.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Bats could scupper plans to cut into a 4,000-year-old historic mound to allow further research
An influx of bats could scupper plans for a 4,000-year-old historic mound to be partially demolished for further research. At 62ft high, the Castle Mound, also known as Marlborough Mound, is the second-largest Neolithic mound in Europe. Located in the grounds of Marlborough College, Wiltshire, it is even rumoured to be the burial place of the legendary wizard Merlin. In March, Marlborough College applied for planning permission to try and 'enhance its setting' by demolishing structures that 'cut into' the west side of it. The partial demolition is set to aid further archaeological research, with the ultimate goal of installing a new curved stone-faced revetment to support it. But now, concerns have been raised that the buildings located on the historic site have become 'a haven for bats', generating doubts about whether they should be removed. Wiltshire Council's ecology team said that they submitted a Preliminary Roost Assessment which uncovered that 'the buildings on site are of moderate and high potential for roosting bats'. They added: 'The buildings on site appear to have some potential for roosting bats and there are records of bats, including roosting bats, in the local area. 'The assessment recommends that further surveys are carried out to determine the roosting status of each building and the requirement for mitigation (if any). 'The ecology team should be reconsulted once the results for all the surveys are available.' They added that compensation / mitigation measures must be incorporated into the proposals, with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) needing to be 'reasonably sure that the proposal will not result in significant adverse effects on proposed habitats or species.' In documents published in 2024 to support the application, Marlborough College described the Mound as a 'nationally important scheduled monument' with its significance ranging from its prehistoric use, the artistic interest and the historic links to the Seymour family. Since 2022, with Historic England consent, various works have been carried out on the historic site. These including movement monitoring, felling of mature trees to preserve the embankment stability, a footpath upgrade, planting of hawthorn to footpath edge and new stone retaining walls. The newly proposed works, carried out on behalf of the Marlborough Mound Trust, are set to enable archaeologists to investigate a particular cross-section, while also creating a more 'visually pleasing' monument. It is also hoped that the partial demolition will help to enhance the visitor experience of the new Mound Information Centre being completed in the college grounds. Often celebrated throughout the history of Marlborough College, where the Princess of Wales, went to school, the site has been carbon dated to 2,400BC. It also contains part of a medieval castle and also some 17th and 18th Century garden features. The buildings imbedded into the mound include a decommissioned plant room, disused toilet block and a carpentry workshop which all have 'very little or no heritage value.' The supporting statement added that demolishing the buildings will allow 'the setting of the Mound to be enhanced with 360 degree visibility'. They added: 'It is proposed to demolish these buildings which partially block the viewing of the Mound as they are either redundant or in the case of the workshop relocate the activities to elsewhere in the college. 'The demolition work will provide a great opportunity for further archaeological surveys to be carried out and provide more insight into the Mound build up and its history.' The application insisted that special care will be taken to ensure there is no digging into the Mound's bank or earth pulled away. Green foliage between the Mound and the redundant buildings will also be carefully removed. At present, opportunities to see the mound are limited to certain open days and pre-arrangement. Alongside being located in a school, the limited hours are also due to conservation risks and the spiral path at the top having a limited weight capacity. Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the application in August.
