
Staffordshire council hits five-year high in pothole repairs
Information about the number of repairs was published as part of a government requirement to share road maintenance data.The authority said recent warm weather meant staff had been focused on a preventative maintenance programme, to help stop potholes and other defects from forming."Residents have told me time and again that the condition of their local roads is one of their top priorities, and it's our top priority too," said Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways.He said highways were underfunded, but the council was looking at ways to make the money they get go further."I welcome the transparency that this new reporting brings, as it shows how in Staffordshire we have a good grasp of what the problems are, and crews are getting on with the job of fixing as many defects as they can," he said.
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The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘I won't be going anywhere': George Russell adamant he will stay at Mercedes
George Russell believes he 'won't be going anywhere' and is set to have a new contract confirmed with Mercedes as he played down suggestions that he could lose his seat to Max Verstappen. Before this weekend's British Grand Prix Russell, whose contract with Mercedes has yet to be renewed, stated he felt the chances for him not being with the team next season were 'exceptionally low'. Verstappen, in turn, flatly refused to comment on the matter. The speculation came on a day when there was more flux at the top of the sport as a challenge emerged to the authority of the president of the FIA, Mohammed ben Sulayem, with the news that the former FIA steward Tim Mayer will stand against the president in elections later this year. On Wednesday there were unconfirmed reports that Verstappen's talks with Mercedes have intensified and that a deal was close to being confirmed. However it is understood this remains entirely speculation and that Mercedes are still conducting consideration of advances made toward them from the Verstappen camp. Russell was considered the more likely candidate to lose his seat over teammate Kimi Antonelli were a deal to be done with Verstappen but at Silverstone he was bullish that he felt his position was safe. 'I've been focused on my side, I am loyal to Mercedes, so at the end of the day, everything will work itself out,' he said. 'And the likelihood I'm not at Mercedes next year, I think is exceptionally low. 'For me it's nothing to worry about as I don't think I'll be going anywhere and whoever my teammate is doesn't concern me either, so I'll just focus on the driving. There's a lot of conversations behind the scenes that are not public and I know where their [Mercedes] loyalty lies. I'm performing better than ever, it's as simple as that, performance speaks for everything.' Mercedes are unlikely to announce any decision until the summer break after the Hungarian GP on 3 August, which is the point when potential exit clauses in Verstappen's contract would become applicable. Verstappen did not deny the talks were taking place but declined to make any further comment. It also became clear on Thursday at Silverstone that Mayer will announce his candidacy to oppose Ben Sulayem for the FIA presidency on Friday morning in a press conference. The 59-year-old American had been a long serving FIA steward, well-liked and respected until he was sacked by the FIA last November after a dispute between the FIA and the organisers of the US GP, for whom Mayer was working in an independent capacity. Afterwards Mayer claimed the dismissal had taken place because Ben Sulayem had personally taken umbrage at him and he was highly critical of how it had been handled. 'In spite of the matter being resolved quietly and amicably, he's still upset and decided to fire me,' he said. 'After 15 years of volunteering my time as a steward, a decade teaching other stewards and hundreds of hours volunteering in other roles, I got a text from one of his assistants.' The FIA denied he had been told by text message. Mayer, the son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer, has enjoyed senior roles in Champ Car, Imsa and the American Le Mans Series and was a chair of the stewards for the FIA, including 15 years stewarding in F1. His standing presents a credible threat to Ben Sulayem's position, with the Emirati having overseen four years of highly controversial governance at the FIA and who has already announced he intended to stand for re-election which will take place on 12 December. It is understood Mayer has already has the requisite selection of senior figures who would join him in key positions, which is required by any candidate and now faces the serious task of winning support from the motor sport associations that will decide the vote in December.


Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
UK's cheapest and priciest seaside towns to buy a home
By Buying a home in Dorset's exclusive Sandbanks is a dream for many downsizers looking to relocate to the coast. It's a stone's throw from a beautiful sandy beach, surrounded by luxurious yachts and is popular among celebrities. The catch? An average price tag of a cool £1.28million – which is the most expensive for a seaside town the UK, new research reveals. That's according to property portal Rightmove, which has crunched the numbers for the costliest and most affordable seaside spots in the country, based on their asking prices. Of course, buyers may well negotiate to shave tens of thousands of pounds off the listed price - or end up offering more than the asking price to secure their home in these in-demand hotspots. All of the top ten town Rightmove says are the most expensive are along the south coast – but the very top spots are not in the typical staycation destinations of Cornwall and Devon. Homes in the luxurious Sandbanks are listed for an average £1.28million– some three times the national average, Rightmove says. It's the only seaside town in the country where asking prices are more than £1million. And it's not hard to see why, with it's proximity to the beach and clear blue water. Plus, your neighbours would be former football manager Harry Redknapp and television chef Rick Stein. However, homes with the average price tag are unlikely to buy you a house as £1.25million typically only stretches as far as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment or maisonette. Mary Lou Press, of estate agent industry body Propertymark, explains in the past decade prospective buyers have been hunting for different characteristics in their home – and picturesque areas such a seaside spots are now much more appealing, which has driven up their price tag. The pandemic sparked a major race for space in the property market as families flocked out of economic hubs such as London in favour of working from home in coastal destinations. While the trend has cooled slightly in recent years as workers return to the office, the seaside spots are clearly still in demand. Press says: 'Seaside locations are desirable for many people of all demographics, and with popularity comes heightened house prices, which can price many locals out of the housing market. 'Considering that the average house price of coastal homes has only slightly dipped, and buyer demand has increased, ongoing economic turbulence doesn't seem to have overly affected the market or dented the confidence of buyers of coastal locations.' But despite the high asking price, the price tags for homes in Sandbanks have fallen by 3 per cent year-on-year. And it's not alone. 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But despite the low price tag, there's plenty to do in this small town with seaside classics such as bowling, a museum, cafes and a cinema to keep you busy. In the silver spot for the most affordable seaside town is Peterlee in County Durham. Properties here are listed for just £38 more, on average, than those in Saltcoats. At £122,246, asking prices have seen a 6 per cent growth in prices in the last year. Next is Ashington in Northumberland where asking prices are £135,050 and Bootle in Merseyside, with price tags of £135,208. In fact, not one town in the bottom ten is more than £160,000, making these locations good value for seaside seekers on a tight budget. Grimsby, Blackpool and Fleetwood also make the list of the most affordable seaside spots with listed prices of £142,072, £142,804 and £148,101, respectively. Birkenhead in Merseyside (£149,527), Blyth in Northumberland (£153,487) and Workington in Cumbria (£158,956) finish the top ten cheapest spots.


Reuters
32 minutes ago
- Reuters
Quality of UK economic data concerning, quick fix unlikely, say economists: Reuters poll
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