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St. Andrew’s Rd Closure this weekend (21st/22nd) from Port Roundabout to Third Way

The Works: National Grid – 400kV OHL Stringing Works for the Hinkley Point C Connection ProjectWhen: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd January 2023Times: 08:00-17:00 dailyTraffic Management: A diversion will be in place via Avonmouth Way and Third Way If the work is not completed this weekend, there will be a further closure over the weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February 2023. St. Andrew’s Rd diversion Reason for the works – Hinkley Connection Project As a key part of the Hinkley Connection Project, National Grid, with their contractor Balfour Beatty, started building the new lattice pylons in Avonmouth in July. In the locations where the pylons have been fully erected, we’ll start hanging the wires between those pylons from the 23 January. When lifting the wires into place, our standard method involves installing a number of scaffold structures with a net between them to protect everything below. We’ve worked with Balfour Beatty, to adopt a method to reduce the number of scaffolds required on the land they occupy and on local roads, so to limit the impact on business premises and disruption on local roads in Avonmouth. We’ll be using specialist controlled lifting systems to hang the wires. This method involves using ropes and blocks specifically designed to pull the wires between the pylons, and away from individual properties and businesses. In the locations where erecting scaffold on either side of the road is necessary, such as St. Andrew’s Road, we need to close the road to keep everyone safe. We’ve worked with Bristol City Council Highways to schedule the closure during the weekend, to reduce local disruption as much as we can. We remain in regular contact with individual businesses to keep them updated. As shown on the map above, the closure on St Andrew’s Road has been carefully designed to ensure that access for the businesses is maintained where safe and practicable to do so during the scaffolding work in this location.  National Grid’s aim is to complete the scaffolding and netting work on St Andrew’s Road during the first of the planned closures on 21/22 January. Though the second closure on 4/5 February has been agreed with the Bristol Highways, we will only close the road during these dates if necessary. We’ll stay in touch with businesses to keep them updated as we continue our work build the remaining pylons to install the wires. You can download National Grid’s information postcard here.
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M5 J19 to J18 Avonmouth Bridge overnight works from 26th Sept. to 28th Oct. 2022

National Highways (NH) will be carrying out resurfacing works on the Avonmouth Bridge from Mon. 26th September until Fri. 28th October 2022.The work will take place overnight from 22:00 until 06:00.One lane will be kept open in both directions at all times.The bridge will be open as usual at all other times.Traffic managementThe M5 will have lane restrictions in place between J18 and J19.To resurface the Avonmouth Bridge deck safely NH need to close 3 lanes in each direction, however one lane (lane 4) will remain open at all times.Southbound M49 traffic will be diverted to St Brendan’s roundabout before joining the M5 southbound.NH always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. If you would like further information about this work, please contact National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 open 24/7, who will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person, or email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk
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M48 cable inspection works running until Jan 2023 – with closure this weekend

National Highways is undertaking a programme of work relating to cable inspection which will run until January 2023. See more details below.M48 Bridge Closure this weekendAs part of this work, there is a need for the M48 Bridge to be closed in both directions from today, Friday 30th September at 19:00 until Monday 3rd October at 06:00.Cable Inspection Works ProgrammeTo carry out these cable inspections and to ensure the safety of both the travelling public and our workforce, long-term lane closures will be put in place. The inspection works will involve the closure of one lane westbound from the 22 June 2022 until around January 2023, and one eastbound starting from July 2022 until around November 2022, with the overall programme of works lasting for around eight months.During the period of lane closures, vehicles over 2.9 metres wide will be prohibited from using the M48 Severn Bridge, and the bridge will also be closed totally over three weekends to enable the lifting of the inspection gantries to a high level on the suspension cable. We will communicate these well in advance. You can keep up to date with the works and read the latest update here: ttps://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/m48-severn-bridge-suspension-cable-inspections/ M4 Bridge MaintenanceThe M4 Bridge will be closed for maintenance overnight as per the above table:Eastbound –  Mon 3rd Oct at 21:00 to Tues 4th Oct at 06:00Westbound – Mon 10th Oct at 21:00 to Tues 11th Oct at 06:00                        Tue 11th Oct at 22:00 to Weds 12th Oct at 06:00
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M49 Northbound & Southbound Full Overnight Closures – Mon 11th to Sat 16th July

National Highways will shortly be carrying out essential road marking and stud renewal works on the M49.The work will start on the evening of  Monday 11 July and finish on the morning of Saturday 16 July and will take place overnight between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00 on weeknights only.The work is currently programmed as follows: Mon 11 July to Weds 13 JulyFull overnight closure of the M49 southbound for 2 nights from 22:00 until 06:00 the following morning. Weds 13 July to Sat 16 JulyFull overnight closure of the M49 northbound for 3 nights from 22:00 until 06:00 the following morning.There will also be lane closures from 21:00 until 22:00 for the duration of the works. There will be a fully signed diversion route in place during the full overnight closure, but please allow extra time for your journey. If you would like further information about this work, please contact National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 open 24/7, who will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person, or email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk
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Fuel Protests M4, M5 and M32 – Monday 4 July

Please be aware of the following planned protests this coming Monday 4th July which may impact traffic. You can download a pdf of these notices here. Notice of Planned Demonstration Date4 July 2022Time0700-1900LocationM4 Prince of Wales Severn Bridge.It is unclear if the old Severn Bridge (M48) is also involvedOrganiserNumerous small groups. Gwent Police are leading on consultationPurpose of ProtestProtest at the cost of road fuel.Planned ActivityGwent Police have authorised a demonstration 0700-1400 on the west side of the second Severn crossing, the Prince of Wales Bridge (where the toll booths used to be). Some demonstrators would like to fully blockade the bridge in both directions for this period.Estimated Attendance NumberOrganisers expect 120 to attendLevel of DisruptionDepends. If the bridge is fully closed then this will create serious disruption on M4 and M5. This could then create significant disruption throughout the local area and beyond.Services ImpactedDisruption to the major road networkDisruption to emergency servicesDisruption to council activityBusiness continuity issuesPlanned UpdateMonday 4 July 2022Additional InformationMulti-agency TCG at 0800 Monday 4 July 2022. Gwent Police are leading. The fact that numerous small splinter groups are involved makes consultation difficult.If you have any additional information on this activity, please email Protests@bristol.gov.uk Notice of Planned Demonstration Date4 July 2022Time0845 – 1300LocationM5 Jn24 (Bridgwater) >> M5 Northbound >>M4>>M32OrganiserAvon and Somerset Police are leading on consultationPurpose of ProtestProtest at the cost of road fuel.Planned ActivitySlow moving (30mph) convoy causing traffic disruptionEstimated Attendance Number80Level of DisruptionDelays and slow-moving traffic on the motorway network.Services ImpactedDisruption to the major road networkDisruption to emergency servicesDisruption to council activityBusiness continuity issuesPlanned UpdateMonday 4 July 2022Additional InformationIt is unclear where the protest will end. It is also unclear whether the protesters will attempt another 30mph convoy on the return journey.If you have any additional information on this activity, please email Protests@bristol.gov.uk
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Join us at July’s Business Breakfast featuring the 5G logistics trials and Severnside Masterplan

Date and Time: Th. July 21st – 07:30-09:00Host: The Bristol Port CompanyWhere: The Bristol Port Safety & Training Centre, St. Andrew’s House, St. Andrew’s Rd., Avonmouth. BS11 9DQ Please join us to hear about the 5G logistics trials that took place at the Port and locally in May, including improvements to the lights at the junction of St. Andrew’s Rd and Kings Weston Lane; and a presentation and a chance to discuss the Vision for Severnside being developed by S. Glos. Council with communities of interest. Book here to come along and join us on the 21st
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A Vision for Severnside – Severnside Masterplan. We encourage you to take a look and comment

South Glos. Council is working with the local community, town and parish councils, and businesses, on a strategic infrastructure led masterplan for Severnside.The aim of the masterplan is to develop a locally informed vision to help shape the future of Severnside in the medium and long term, up to 2050. It will build on all of the different strengths that the area has. The plan is now in its public engagement phase and we encourage you to take a look and comment before the 24th July 2022. The website is here. You can also download a pdf of the exhibition boards here (3Mb). This Vision for Severnside will be presented and discussed at the July Business breakfast which will be held at The Bristol Port Company’s Safety and Training Centre in St. Andrew’s House, Avonmouth on Th. July 21st. Come and join us. Book here.
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M48 Severn Bridge cable inspection works closure weekend from Fri eve 1st July 2022

Update from National Highways”Unfortunately, weather conditions last weekend while we had the M48 bridge closed (25 and 26 June) meant we weren’t able to complete all the necessary works to lift the gantries into place on the support trestles, as it wouldn’t have been safe to do so. As such, weather permitting, a further full closure of the M48 Severn Bridge will be taking place this weekend, from 7pm on Friday 1 July until 6am on Monday 4 July. During the full closure, diversion routes will be in place across the M4 Prince of Wales bridge. The eastbound foot and cycle path will remain open. We weren’t able to safely complete the crane lifting operations to move the gantry platforms from the lorries on the carriageway onto the support trestles due to high winds during the closure. We did however make some good progress, including the installation of gantry support trestles and temporary barriers on the westbound carriageway, removal of redundant electrical cables on the suspension cable at areas critical to the project and removal of lighting columns in close proximity to gantry access platforms. Keep up to date with the works You can keep up to date with the works and read the latest update here:  Getting in touch with National Highways If you would like more information about this work, please contact the National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 open 24/7, who will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person, or email: info@highwaysengland.co.uk  For information on all of our works in the South West please follow us on Twitter @HighwaysSWEST” 13/6/22 – M48 Severn Bridge cable inspection works starting 22nd June 2022 until Jan 2023 In order to ensure that structures on the Strategic Road Network in England are kept in good condition and remain safe for the public who use them, National Highways need to conduct regular checks to monitor how they are performing and repair any damage that is found. One of these structures is the Severn Bridge carrying the M48 over the River Severn, where we are required to inspect the suspension cables.To carry out these cable inspections and to ensure the safety of both the travelling public and our workforce, long-term lane closures will be put in place. The inspection works will involve the closure of one lane westbound from the 22 June 2022 until around January 2023, and one eastbound starting from July 2022 until around November 2022, with the overall programme of works lasting for around eight months. During the period of lane closures, vehicles over 2.9 metres wide will be prohibited from using the M48 Severn Bridge, and the bridge will also be closed totally over three weekends to enable the lifting of the inspection gantries to a high level on the suspension cable. We will communicate these well in advance. The first full closure is planned for the weekend of 25 and 26 June, with motorists being diverted across the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. To minimise any future disruption, maintenance work will also be undertaken during the closures, including refurbishment and maintenance of many bridge expansion joints, carriageway surfacing repairs, reinstatement of some under bridge gantry bogies and wheels, sweeping and litter picking, blasting and painting of parapets and lighting column bases, weld repairs, carriageway inspections, and gulley and drain cleaning.The full details and press release can be found here.To follow the progress of the works and to keep up to date, please visit this webpage.National Highways “We will make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes to it.”If you would like more information about this work, please contact the National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 open 24/7, who will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person, or email.For information on all of our works in the South West please follow us on Twitter @HighwaysSWEST
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Rail Strike Information from GWR

There will no rail services at all on some routes (including the Severn Beach Line) on the strike days this week – Tuesday 21 June, Thursday 23 June and Saturday 25 June.   Where services can run they will be extremely limited with much later start and much earlier finish times.   There will also be a restricted service on Wednesday 22 June, Friday 24 June and Sunday 26 June, with services starting late and finishing very early.  Full timetables are now in online journey planners for Tuesday 21 June and Thursday 23 June, and timetables for days between the strikes are also available.  Where services are running rail travel should only be considered if absolutely necessary.  There will be no alternative road replacement available, and there is still the potential for further changes even on the day.   We know that customers will need time to plan ahead.  As well as checking timetables, there are maps www.gwr.com/strike showing which routes are open.  This will be kept updated with the latest information.   Anything you can do to alert your networks, constituents, members, staff and customers about the impact of the strike would be very helpful.   If there is anything else we can provide for you to help get the message out please do let us know.  As always if there is anything else we can help with either before or during the strikes, we are here and will do our best to help.  Best wishes Jane and Toby  Jane Jones                                                   Toby ElliottHead of Public Affairs                                   Head of CommunicationsGreat Western Railway                                 Network Rail Western
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SevernNet Transport Forum – Weds 18th May 2022 – 11:00-13:00

Our next Forum will be held on 18th May 2022 at 11:00. This will be a virtual form via Zoom. If you would like to attend please register using this link. Agenda items will include: 5G Logistics trials in Avonmouth including a trial looking at opportunities for more effective traffic flow management; and trials looking at tracking condition of goods en routeBristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and implications for your business and staff. Support is available for businesses based in, and (I believe) needing to operate in Bristol. There is also support available for colleagues living in Bristol and impacted in their journeys to work and to encourage sustainable modes of travel.An update on  the Future Transport Zones initiative (to be confirmed) where we understand that a number of trials may be targeted for Portbury Avonmouth SevernsideHydrogen South West updateDates for Forums and Gatherings for 2022M49J Update from M49J Link Road Project ManagerAssessing impact of resultant congestion and limited resilienceCNG Fuels and Avonmouth North Station … and transport decarbonisationBus and train services. Do we need to better understand our colleagues transport needs?Update on sustainable travel options and practical support available