Latest news with #safetyworks
Irish Times
19-07-2025
- Irish Times
Landowner allegedly overturned ESB machine with tractor while workers trimmed trees near high-voltage line
A landowner who allegedly overturned an ESB machine while workers were trimming trees near high-voltage power lines on his land has agreed in the High Court to allow immediate urgent safety works to take place. Tom O'Shea, of Stellrose, Wheelam, Milltown, Newbridge , Co Kildare, had allegedly told ESB workers trimming trees that he would 'pull down the line' if they did not stop working. He then allegedly fetched his own digger and tipped over a tree-cutting tractor with its operator still inside. He then locked his digger and walked towards his farmyard, the court heard. Mr O'Shea represented himself in court on Friday. Asked by Mr Justice Brian Cregan why he was refusing to allow the ESB to work on the lines, for which it has a statutory right to enter his land, he said he was in a wider dispute with the electricity company that has not been resolved. READ MORE He also claimed the trees themselves are on neighbouring land and believed they could be cut from there. Stephen Dodd SC, for the ESB, said his client maintains the trees are on Mr O'Shea's land. Mr O'Shea said he wanted time to respond to ESB and EirGrid affidavits, but Mr Dodd said an order was still required allowing the work to be carried out urgently because of the risk of fire and blackouts. Mr O'Shea also said the ESB is in breach of planning permission. The judge said the company did not need planning permission for this work and has a statutory right to cut back growth from power lines. When Mr O'Shea said 'until recently we kept them (trees) trimmed back', the judge said this was not true. Photographs were provided by the ESB to the court, and Mr O'Shea handed other photos in on Friday, but the judge said these were just photos of 'a field and hedges and telegraph poles'. [ Kildare building site closed by court order to 'reduce risk of injury, or worse' Opens in new window ] He told Mr O'Shea that if the ESB was incorrect in what it was doing, he would have a claim for compensation against it. In the meantime, the judge asked whether Mr O'Shea would consent to the injunction preventing him from interfering. Mr O'Shea said he had dealt with a particular individual in the ESB over the years in negotiations with the company and would like to do so again. Mr Dodd agreed to the judge's request to contact that individual, who now works elsewhere in the ESB, to get them involved. The judge asked Mr O'Shea if he was prepared not to interfere on the basis that negotiations would take place involving that ESB employee, with which the defendant had 'a rapport'. Mr O'Shea agreed he would. It was also agreed on the basis of the standard undertaking in injunctions from the ESB to pay damages if the injunction is invalid. The judge ordered that the negotiations take place over the next three weeks, and that Mr O'Shea remove all obstacles to the land by 4pm Friday and remove locks from a gate. He adjourned the matter to the last week of July. The court heard earlier this week that Mr O'Shea had previously interfered, in 2009, with tree trimming on land he owns and ultimately was brought before the High Court for breaching undertakings not to do so. The incident involving the overturned tractor occurred on May 6th last when workers were trying to trim trees near the 110kV Cushaling-Newbridge 110kV overhead lines.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
M11 Cambridgeshire safety works and speed limit until end of July
Motorists could face speed limits of 40mph (64km/h) for weeks on a major motorway in Cambridgeshire as safety works to the central barrier are carried several days only one lane of the M11 was open for 8.4 miles (13.5km) in both directions between junction 10, for the A505 at Duxford, and junction 13, for Madingley - but both lanes have since reopened.A spokesperson from National Highways said: "Work to replace large sections of the barriers was due to start later this month, however... checks highlighted areas which required immediate attention."These essential safety repairs should be completed by the end of July." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kirklees Council approves £5m for urgent school repairs
Millions of pounds have been approved to carry out "urgent" safety works at Council approved a £5.4m school funding package, with most of the cash set to be used for will include a £264,000 rewiring scheme at Birkby Infant and Nursery School in Huddersfield, and roof works at Norristhorpe Junior and Infant School in Liversedge totalling £190, not used for repairs will be used to fund new school places, with 18 at New Mill infant and junior schools in Holmfirth, catering for pupils with complex communication and interaction needs. Also among the repair projects planned are a £200,000 kitchen refurbishment at Wellhouse Junior and Infant School at Golcar, and £287,000 to cover improvements at Westborough High School in to benefit from the funding have been selected depending on urgency, based on a council scoring system, according to the Local Democracy Reporting school scored between 28 and 30 - with 30 meaning that "a failure of the element concerned would have a major impact on the individual school from a health and safety and/or building closure and/or building damage perspective". Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said previously: "Through our strong relationships with schools, we will ensure the improvements are delivered to an excellent standard for current and future pupils."Our aim is to replace inefficient materials with modern systems and enhance the physical environment for all concerned."By investing in our children, we are investing in their futures."Referencing the additional school places for students with complex needs, Councillor Jane Rylah, cabinet member for education, said it was a "major priority to support our more vulnerable learners and transform services for special educational needs and disabilities".She said: "Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP) have opened at other local schools, tackling inequality and creating the right conditions for children to fulfil their potential."ARPs are nurturing spaces specifically tailored to their pupils. We have already seen the difference they make to children, young people and families." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
