Latest news with #ChrisChambers
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Freezing fog and black ice on South Island's State Highways 8 and 80
Fog on State Highway 8 presents a risk for motorists, NZTA says. Photo: Supplied / NZTA Drivers in the central South Island are being warned to be aware of freezing fog and black ice over the next few days. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said persistent freezing fog was likely for parts of State Highways 8 and 80 at least through until Sunday, along with hoar frosts and potential black ice on the roads. The area between Twizel and Tekapo on State Highway 8 was expected to be at especially high risk. NZTA maintenance contract manager Chris Chambers said fog was likely to linger all day in some places. "These types of conditions are not new for roads in the Mackenzie Basin area, but it is important that motorists take notice and adjust their driving for the conditions . Especially when there is an increased risk like this over a number of days," he said. "We are expecting the freezing fog to hang around all day in places and there is a significant risk of black ice, especially in the mornings. All of this means increased risk of accidents and injury. It's important that drivers take extra care and slow down in these conditions, increase their following distances and drive with their lights on." Roading contractors would be out checking roads and gritting or de-icing the affected highways over the coming days, he said. However, he advised people to avoid travelling if possible. "We have the option of closing sections of highway, or introducing restrictions, if the conditions warrant it. Our preference is to keep the roads open, and motorists can help us do that by driving with caution or staying off the roads if they can." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
County's buses to get new routes and improvements
New bus routes will be launched and services improved following an allocation of funding. Suffolk County Council was awarded a total grant of £8m from the Department for Transport's Local Authority Bus Grant last month, with £2.8m allocated for this project. As well as new routes, some services will have increased frequency and a Sunday schedule added. The majority of services will start in late August or early September, but a new service to replace the axed Marham Park Flyer began on Monday. Councillor Chris Chambers, in charge of transport strategy at the council, said the news represented "the biggest positive change" to services since 1998. "We have been working extensively, over many months, with local providers and the community to find solutions for those affected by the cancellation of the Marham Park Flyer service," Chambers said. "The Local Authority Bus Grant for 2025/26, which the council received from the Department for Transport on 1 June, has enabled us to offer a replacement for this much-loved route. "To reduce the gap in services around Marham Park, we worked with the Traffic Commissioner to ensure a shorter notice period than usually required for the new route to begin and I am pleased that this new route has now started." A full list of new services or changes to current routes can be found on the council's website. The council also previously announced £5.2m of the Local Authority Bus Grant would go toward new and improved bus stops, bus stations, bus priority measures or vehicle upgrades. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Bus users bemoan company's fare increases Residents excluded from new bus route - councillor Under threat bus routes are temporarily saved Bus services linking towns and villages extended Suffolk County Council
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Suffolk buses to get new routes and improvements through funding
New bus routes will be launched and services improved following an allocation of County Council was awarded a total grant of £8m from the Department for Transport's Local Authority Bus Grant last month, with £2.8m allocated for this well as new routes, some services will have increased frequency and a Sunday schedule added. The majority of services will start in late August or early September, but a new service to replace the axed Marham Park Flyer began on Chris Chambers, in charge of transport strategy at the council, said the news represented "the biggest positive change" to services since 1998. "We have been working extensively, over many months, with local providers and the community to find solutions for those affected by the cancellation of the Marham Park Flyer service," Chambers said. "The Local Authority Bus Grant for 2025/26, which the council received from the Department for Transport on 1 June, has enabled us to offer a replacement for this much-loved route."To reduce the gap in services around Marham Park, we worked with the Traffic Commissioner to ensure a shorter notice period than usually required for the new route to begin and I am pleased that this new route has now started."A full list of new services or changes to current routes can be found on the council's council also previously announced £5.2m of the Local Authority Bus Grant would go toward new and improved bus stops, bus stations, bus priority measures or vehicle upgrades. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big businesses bemoan Orwell Bridge work 'failure'
Nine major employers have joined forces to express their frustration about the effect of the partial closure of the Orwell Bridge. The businesses and institutions, which collectively employ more than 3,000 people, have voiced concerns about the consequences of a £6m repair project. In an open letter they called for either a northern bypass to be built past Ipswich, which could link the A14/A140 and the A12, or a "practical alternative" to try to prevent a repeat of the disruption seen in recent weeks. Chris Chambers, cabinet member for transport at Conservative-run Suffolk County Council, previously said no decision was likely to be made until after the elections for a new mayor-led authority for Norfolk and Suffolk in May 2026. The Orwell Bridge on the A14 south of Ipswich is currently operating with lane closures while the repair works are carried out to replace expansion joints. National Highways started work on 16 June, shutting one lane on the eastbound carriageway which caused severe tailbacks. Martin Fellows, regional director for the east region at National Highways, said he was hopeful the work would finish in mid to late August. "We do recognise the significant effect work on the bridge has on road users, businesses and local communities," he previously said. This week an additional lane - on the westbound carriageway - was also closed, further affecting motorists and also businesses which have reported losses. In the open letter, the nine businesses referenced how the closures had "had a significant impact on our bottom line and our employees' wellbeing". "We have all seen employees stuck in traffic for up to two-and-a-half hours on their journeys to work," they said. "Apart from the loss of productivity caused by their lateness, being stuck in traffic in hot weather isn't good for people's wellbeing or work-life balance." The businesses which have signed the letter are Birketts, the Willis Tower Watson group, University of Suffolk, Suffolk New College, Ashtons Legal, UK & Ireland OCS, Barnes Construction, Associated British Ports, and the Tru 7 Group. Guy Nichols is the CEO and owner of the Tru7 Group, which supplies goods to the construction, demolition and agriculture industries. He told the BBC his trucks were "doing less than half of the work they would normally do" each day because of the severity of traffic. "It's absolutely horrendous, absolute chaos, it's a joke," he said. "We're fortunately an older family business, so there's a bit of meat on the bone, but there's a lot of smaller businesses who are really going to hurt." "A northern bypass needs to happen, otherwise all these high paid jobs will just gradually disappear," added Mr Nichols. The open letter from the businesses said they "fully accept maintenance of the bridge is required" and that "contractors and National Highways have done all they can to minimise" the impact. However, they added they were "genuinely concerned" prospective employees may choose to work elsewhere. In a different letter, recently sent to MP Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, Mr Chambers said "strategic investment in Suffolk's transport infrastructure" "has not been forthcoming". "Suffolk's continued exclusion from significant transport investment programmes cannot continue if we are to meet our ambitions for growth, sustainability, and connectivity," he said. The Department for Transport, meanwhile, said it remained "committed to supporting reliable, safe transport links in Suffolk and beyond". "While works to improve safety on the Orwell Bridge have increased congestion, some closures remain necessary to protect road users and maintain vital routes," a spokesperson added. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Work on bridge to cost £6m - National Highways No decision on road plan 'until mayor elected' What could solve Orwell Bridge traffic chaos? Suffolk County Council National Highways
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ipswich businesses' frustrations at Orwell Bridge work 'failure'
Nine major employers have joined forces to express their frustration about the effect of the partial closure of the Orwell Bridge. The businesses and institutions, which collectively employ more than 3,000 people, have voiced concerns about the consequences of a £6m repair project. In an open letter they called for either a northern bypass to be built past Ipswich, which could link the A14/A140 and the A12, or a "practical alternative" to try to prevent a repeat of the disruption seen in recent weeks. Chris Chambers, cabinet member for transport at Conservative-run Suffolk County Council, previously said no decision was likely to be made until after the elections for a new mayor-led authority for Norfolk and Suffolk in May 2026. The Orwell Bridge on the A14 south of Ipswich is currently operating with lane closures while the repair works are carried out to replace expansion joints. National Highways started work on 16 June, shutting one lane on the eastbound carriageway which caused severe Fellows, regional director for the east region at National Highways, said he was hopeful the work would finish in mid to late August."We do recognise the significant effect work on the bridge has on road users, businesses and local communities," he previously week an additional lane - on the westbound carriageway - was also closed, further affecting motorists and also businesses which have reported the open letter, the nine businesses referenced how the closures had "had a significant impact on our bottom line and our employees' wellbeing". "We have all seen employees stuck in traffic for up to two-and-a-half hours on their journeys to work," they said. "Apart from the loss of productivity caused by their lateness, being stuck in traffic in hot weather isn't good for people's wellbeing or work-life balance." 'Absolute chaos, it's a joke' The businesses which have signed the letter are Birketts, the Willis Tower Watson group, University of Suffolk, Suffolk New College, Ashtons Legal, UK & Ireland OCS, Barnes Construction, Associated British Ports, and the Tru 7 Nichols is the CEO and owner of the Tru7 Group, which supplies goods to the construction, demolition and agriculture industries. He told the BBC his trucks were "doing less than half of the work they would normally do" each day because of the severity of traffic. "It's absolutely horrendous, absolute chaos, it's a joke," he said."We're fortunately an older family business, so there's a bit of meat on the bone, but there's a lot of smaller businesses who are really going to hurt." "A northern bypass needs to happen, otherwise all these high paid jobs will just gradually disappear," added Mr open letter from the businesses said they "fully accept maintenance of the bridge is required" and that "contractors and National Highways have done all they can to minimise" the they added they were "genuinely concerned" prospective employees may choose to work elsewhere. In a different letter, recently sent to MP Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, Mr Chambers said "strategic investment in Suffolk's transport infrastructure" "has not been forthcoming". "Suffolk's continued exclusion from significant transport investment programmes cannot continue if we are to meet our ambitions for growth, sustainability, and connectivity," he said. The Department for Transport, meanwhile, said it remained "committed to supporting reliable, safe transport links in Suffolk and beyond"."While works to improve safety on the Orwell Bridge have increased congestion, some closures remain necessary to protect road users and maintain vital routes," a spokesperson added. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
