Nature News Public News

Bee Bold Awards

Celebrating organisations taking action to support pollinators and tackle the ecological crisis. We want the West of England to be the Bee and Pollinator Capital of the UK. West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris has launched the region’s first Bee Bold Awards to recognise organisations big and small that are taking positive action to support bees and pollinators. Find out more here.Watch a short video here featuring the meadow(s) created at the Bristol Waste Treatment Plant off Kings Weston Lane.
Energy News Public News

Hinkley Connection Project Update

The Hinkley Connection Project is progressing. National Grid: “In April 2022, we completed building the new pylons and overhead connection along the southern part of the route between Bridgwater and Loxton.In July 2022, we will start building the remaining overhead connection from Sandford to Seabank, near Avonmouth.We’re using the new T-pylons for part of the route between Sandford and Portishead, and new traditional lattice pylons through Avonmouth to make the final connection into Seabank substation.We will continue to directly contact the businesses close to where our work is being carried out to coordinate our construction activities.” You can find some great pictures and video here of the the world’s first T-pylon being built in Somerset. Work is progressing around Crook’s Marsh with the profiling of the land and the stone deliveries Have strated to ramp up. All vehicles working on behalf of the Hinkley Connection Project display the project identifier below. If you have any concerns please let us know via email.
Community Economy Events News Public News Strategic Planning Transport

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
Community Economy News Public News Strategic Planning Transport

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.
News Public News Roadworks Transport

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
Community Economy Events News Public News

Many thanks to the Port of Bristol Seafarers Centre for their hospitality at June’s Business Breakfast

The Merchant Navy Welfare Board looks after seafarers coming to Portbury, Avonmouth and Sharpness. They have a centre at Portbury which provides support to Portbury and Avonmouth. This is a very important facility, providing much needed support to seafarers, many of whom are away from their homes and families for extended periods of time.The team at the Port of Bristol Seafarers Centre provide a lifeline to these key workers whose role is critical to the UK Economy. They offer a place to rest away from their ships for a few hours, stock up on sim cards, warm clothes and other provisions. We’re very grateful for the hospitality provided at June’s Business Breakfast and the insights’s into the team’s work. If you’d like to support the organisation or learn more, please check out this link.
News Public News Transport

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
Economy Events News Public News

First Trade Local Day – Wed. 15th June – A great success!

Weds. June 15th from 11:00 to 13:30 including buffet lunch Venue: PBA Club, Nibley Road, Shirehampton, Bristol, BS11 9XW Organised by: SevernNet, supposted by NEBES We held our first Trade Local Day on June 15th with local businesses coming together at the PBA Club. It was a great success and we thank everyone who was able to attend. We understand everyone who attended benefitted, gained new business contacts, and are keen for us to hold further events. We’re introducing a Trade Local section to the SevernNet website and will be developing this further over the summer. We’ll be running our second Trade Local Day on Thurs September 15th 2022. Please pencil in the date in your diary. You can book your place here now. Be part of our vibrant business community. We look forward to seeing you on the 15th September!
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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
News Public News Transport

5G Logistics project trials in Avonmouth

In May, an innovative 5G project is trialling game-changing wireless connectivity for improved logistics efficiency, new services and traffic management.The 5G Logistics testbed at the Avonmouth Bristol Port dock and the adjacent St Andrew’s Road, is the result of a 12-strong partnership led by the West of England Combined Authority.You can watch the project video here. This project is part of a government funded programme exploring how 5G’s high levels of reliability, speed and capacity could deliver new opportunities and improvements to all sectors and service provision. With providers other than large telecoms operators now delivering tailored private networks to a business or district’s needs, UK businesses are being encouraged to think about what 5G could do for their competitiveness and the skills they will need to take full advantage of the opportunities. If you would like to learn more about the 5G Logistics project or how 5G is being used in your sector, please contact weca5glogs@westofengland-ca.gov.uk indicating your specific area(s) of interest and whether you would like to attend a related event/webinar (by COB 11 May).You can read the full article here