Latest news with #Avonmouth
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
M5 traffic: Motorway at a standstill after horror caravan crash with debris strewn across the road
DRIVERS have been warned of traffic chaos on the M5 after a caravan crash this evening. Bumper-to-bumper queues are building on the major motorway after a smash unfolded near Avonmouth Bridge, Bristol, on the southbound carriageway. 2 Motorists were forced to navigate debris strewn over the road following the collision. Traffic is now at a standstill as investigations are underway between J18 M49 to J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead). Traffic monitoring site Inrix confirmed: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to debris on road and accident, a caravan involved on M5 Avonmouth Bridge Southbound from J18 M49 to J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead). "Traffic held now around 18:35." It follows "severe delays" on the M5 this afternoon Northbound between J23 A39 (Bridgwater North) and J22 (Burnham-On-Sea), according to AA. The congestion formed after another crash earlier today. This comes after we reported on a horror bus accident yesterday. narrowly avoiding cars before flying off the road near Eastleigh, Hampshire yesterday morning. 19 people were left injured following the disturbing ordeal, which was over in a matter of seconds. A youngster behind the camera says: "Oh my god, the bus has just had a major crash and now he's speeding off." Someone else yells in panic: "Get away from the windshield." "We're going to die, we're actually going to die, what's he doing?", says the concerned boy filming. "Oh my god, oh my god, we're actually going to die," he repeats, his voice growing more shaky. Terrified screams pierce through the air as the camera falls and the large vehicle loses control. The video cuts off as the bus ploughs into the River Itchen, on Bishopstoke Road, near Eastleigh. It comes as the driver earlier blamed faulty brakes and a "jammed accelerator". Three passengers were rushed to hospital while fourteen were treated for minor injuries. Pictures from the scene also showed the large blue bus sitting upright in the shallow river with broken railings left behind. Elsewhere, the moment a speeding driver leaves a woman for dead in a crushed car to pick up his scattered £20 notes was caught on camera. Ty Kelsall smashed into the victim, who is aged in her 50s, as she drove along a quiet street in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. 2
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Shoppers warned of ‘substantial' shortages of staple summer drink on supermarket shelves from today
SHOPPERS have been warned there will be "substantial" shortages of a classic summer drink from TODAY. Brits were devastated to learn they could find empty wine shelves in supermarkets up and down the country. 1 Bottles have disappeared rapidly after a popular wine supplier announced its workers are going on strike. Staff at Encirc, a Bristol based warehouse that holds 18 of the most drank wine brands in the UK, kicked off the 16-day walk out today. Around 2000 employees at the site, in Avonmouth, revealed they will carry out the industrial action from June 19 to July 5. Unit members are going on strike over a pay dispute, as reported by the Express, after already being offered a 3.2 per cent wage increase. A union spokesperson claimed workers are not paid properly despite the "very profitable company" Encirc turning over £600million. It will see key figures in bottling, packaging and distribution, walk out on different dates - as well as a 12 week overtime ban. Experts have claimed the strike could see a "significant" shortage of wines at UK supermarkets. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Encirc's meanness to its workers is all about greed and not need. "This is a very lucrative company that can fully afford to pay its workers properly but it is choosing not to. "Unite will not stand idly by and allow Encric to steal our members hard won rights. Five Lidl rosés you need this summer, according to a wine expert - a £6.99 buy is as light & crispy as £22 Whispering Angel "Encirc workers deserve better and they have Unite's full support throughout this dispute." Unite regional officer John Sweeney added: "There is no doubt that this action will hit supermarket shelves. "While shortages may be frustrating for customers looking to enjoy a bottle of wine this summer, the situation is entirely of Encirc's own making. "Management has constantly refused to engage meaningfully. Encirc needs to return to the negotiating table with a vastly improved offer." Encirc said it is 'open to dialogue with the union in good faith.' This comes as beer fans are going bananas over this summer beverage accessory that has been branded a "great product." The product is currently on sale for nearly half the price and can arrive at your home in time for the weekend. And, Sun reporter Helen Nicklin has tested a range of supermarket summer cocktails in a can. The winner was a Pimm's mix - which was £10 cheaper than the new Aperol Spritz. Shoppers can now pick up the 200ml bottles in packs of four at specific supermarkets – taking all the hassle out of cocktail making. And it is not the only big-name tipple that has been canned for your convenience. Here, drinks expert Helena sips and scores a selection of pre-mixed cocktails. Plus, Morrisons shoppers have raised a glass this week as the industry giant rolls out brand-new cocktails for just £1.50 per drink – and they're perfect for summer BBQs. The budget-friendly booze is part of an exclusive tie-up with premium cocktail brand The Drinks Bureau, bringing a taste of the bar straight to your garden party. Available now in over 280 Morrisons stores across the UK, the 1.5-litre cocktail boxes are priced at £15 each – or just £12 with a More Card. That works out at as little as £1.20 per serving, offering premium drinks at pocket-friendly prices. Each box contains ten ready-to-drink servings and includes a tap-style spout for easy pouring, making it an ideal option for hassle-free entertaining. It's also the first time shoppers can get premium 'on tap' cocktails from a UK supermarket – a format that's proven popular in bars and pubs. How to save money buying alcohol Alcohol can be pricey if you're planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs. It's always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price. Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz. The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter. If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers. Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as or Don't forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too. If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You'll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
Telegraph
18-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Wine shortage to hit UK this summer
The UK is set to face a wine shortage over the summer as glass makers and bottle fillers strike over pay, according to trade union chiefs. Unite, the union behind the Birmingham bin strikes, has said hundreds of its members at the Bristol branch of Encirc, a leading wine packaging firm, would walk out from Thursday until July 5. Workers based at the site in Avonmouth, Bristol, are said to have been angered after receiving a 3.2 per cent pay rise offer from the firm, with the union claiming it was not consulted about the deal. Staff are scheduled to take action on specific days across the two-week period in an attempt to impact production as much as possible. It comes as the Government faces a ' summer of discontent ', with teacher and university strikes possibly also taking place well into the autumn. 'Encirc is choosing not to pay its workers properly' In a statement, Unite said: 'There is set to be shortages of bottled, box and bags of wine on supermarket shelves this summer as over 200 Unite members at the Encirc site in Avonmouth strike over pay and collective bargaining. 'Members at the factory work across different areas, including bottling and packaging red, white, rosé and sparkling wine and distributing it from warehouses. 'Encirc supplies all the major supermarkets with wine, which is the most popular alcoholic drink in the UK.' The statement said there would also be 'a 12-week overtime ban as part of the action'. John Sweeney, the regional officer at Unite, said: 'There's no doubt that this action will hit supermarket shelves. While shortages may be frustrating for customers looking to enjoy a bottle of wine this summer, the situation is entirely of Encirc's own making. 'Management has consistently refused to engage meaningfully. Encirc needs to return to the negotiating table with a vastly improved offer.' Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, criticised the packaging firm's pay offer, saying: 'This is a very lucrative company that can fully afford to pay its workers properly – but it is choosing not to.' The union said it supported Encirc's request for Acas, the conciliation service, to step in.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Avonmouth M5 traffic affected by smoke from nearby fire
People driving on the motorway in rush hour have been met with large plumes of smoke from a fire near a Fire and Rescue Service is tackling a pile of rubbish that caught fire just off King Weston Lane in Avonmouth, Highways has placed slow signs along the M5 in the area as the smoke travels across the carriageway.A spokesperson for the fire service said there were no reports of any injuries and that crews expected to extinguish the fire by about 19:00 BST. They said they had found some gas cylinders in the area and were making sure they were two thirds of fire has been fire engine from Gloucester is also assisting with extra water.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Author Louise Allen helping girls leaving care to find careers
A charity for young women leaving care is set to hold a programme that aims to empower girls in the next steps of their Louise Allen says she set up Spark Sisterhood after suffering sexual, physical and emotional while growing up in charity will now begin a project giving access to employers in the Avonmouth area, called Care to Career, which aims to give confidence and further educate young women who are coming out of the care system."Financially independent women are powerful women and we want them to believe in their own potential," said Ms Allen. The scheme is set to run for two weeks from 2 -13 June at Lawrence Weston Farm, Bristol. Ms Allen says she was put into forced adoption when she was a teen. She says her adoptive family left her without food, starving for periods at a was also abused by older children around her in her adoptive home."It took a long time to talk about because no one would want to hear that children could do that," she one occasion, she said that while on the way to an emergency home, the man who was taking her "lifted up her skirt", leaving her "in shock"."I was only a child and I knew it was wrong," she said but, when they arrived, she recalled him saying to the carers "watch this one she tells lies"."Hearing these words made me want to do the work I do now," Ms Allen explained. She said the new programme was about helping young women leaving care to "feel seen, supported, and genuinely excited about what's next".It is targeted towards care-experienced young women aged 18 to 25 and will be supported by the Allen Lane Foundation, which awards UK charities with for Careers will give the young women access to employers in the Avonmouth area including Bristol Port, Suez, Mathias and LW employers will also be able to offer interviews, work experience and job placements to successful candidates. 'Blown my mind' The programme will hold daily sessions, covering a range of topics from personal safety, CV writing and stand-up will also offer the young women one-to-one sessions on voice and self Allen says she is also currently working with authorities and a charity called Escape Line to help remove young people from gangs like county lines criminal groups involved in said gangs use tactics to recruit children like making them late for school and "blowing weed [smoke] on them so the schools think they are taking drugs".The new project aims to remove girls and young women from these environments and prepare them for professional careers."This has blown my mind," Ms Allen said, "It matters to the girls, this is their chance to get out of the poverty cycle."
