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Author Archives: HM Government

Press release: £5 million B road opens as A556 bypass legacy

A £5 million upgrade of the old A556 between Knutsford and Bowdon in Cheshire has officially been handed to local communities as a new B road – complete with a dedicated route for the area’s cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

Left to right – Cheshire East councllors Olivia Hunter and Jamie Macrae, Tatton MP Esther McVey, Highways England’s Tim Gamon (delivery director for the North West) and A556 project manager Paul Hampson, and Richard Stuart from Costain.

Highways England has converted the old A556 Chester Road – which has been replaced by the £192 million Knutsford to Bowdon bypass – into the B5569, a new 5.4km B road which will now be operated by Cheshire East Council.

The road was formally ‘detrunked’ and handed over to the council at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony near Mere crossroads this morning, attended by key officials from Highways England, Cheshire East Council, parish councillors and Tatton MP Esther McVey.

Highways England project manager Paul Hampson said:

This is a significant milestone for the Knutsford to Bowdon project – a result of our determination to deliver a lasting legacy for local people following the completion of the new dual carriageway in March.

The conversion work includes new arrangements at Bucklow Hill (above) and Mere junctions

Su Russell, Chairlady of CycleKnutsford, said she was delighted the group had been invited to the opening of what she described as a ‘landmark’ designated cycleway – the first in Cheshire – and hoped it would lead the way to further cycling initiatives in the county.

She said:

Highways England and its main contractor Costain have kept CycleKnutsford informed throughout the process and taken into consideration cyclists and the environment generally at every possible opportunity.

Thumbs up for the new cyclist-friendly green route from CycleKnutsford (Su Russell, chair, centre)

CycleKnutsford members can’t wait to get out on their bikes and explore the new safe segregated cycleway.

Since the new A556 opened to drivers in March, work to convert the old road has included:

  • turning the old northbound 2 lane carriageway into a dedicated, segregated green route for pedestrians, cyclists and horses riders – 4 metres wide and separated from the new B road by a wide border planted with a wild flower mix
  • converting the old 2 lane southbound carriageway into a new B road with as single lane in each direction
  • installing brand new drainage along the new route as well as totally resurfacing the re-arranged layout
  • providing totally new junction layouts at Bucklow Hill/Chapel Lane and Mere junctions giving priority to the A5034 and A50 traffic
  • installing a signalised Pegasus crossing – specifically designed to assist horse riders – at the junction between the green route and the A50 at Mere
The green route even has a Pegasus system to allow safer crossing over junctions for horseriders

The green route even has a Pegasus system to allow safer crossing over junctions for horseriders

Mr Hampson said:

We would like to thank local people for their patience since March when the conversion work started in earnest. We hope they agree the new dedicated route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders as well as the new single carriageway B road and new junction arrangements at Bucklow Hill and Mere have been well worth the wait.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

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Press release: FOREIGN FLAGGED SHIPS UNDER DETENTION IN THE UK DURING OCTOBER 2017

During October, there were four new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port. Six vessels remained under detention from previous months. A total of eight vessels remain under detention at the end of October.

  1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping, and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.

  2. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as THETIS. This allows the ships with a high risk rating and poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.

  3. Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable convention requirements, a deficiency may be raised. If any of their deficiencies are so serious they have to be rectified before departure, then the ship will be detained.

  4. All deficiencies should be rectified before departure if at all possible.

  5. When applicable, the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular Ro-Ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU).

Notes on the list of detentions

  • Full details of the ship. The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it. It also shows the ship’s name and flag state at the time of its inspection.
  • Company. The company shown in the vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (SMC) or if there is no SMC, then the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the safety of the ship at the time of inspection.
  • Classification Society. The list shows the Classification Society responsible for classing the ship only.
  • Recognised Organisation. Responsible for conducting the statutory surveys: and issuing statutory certificates on behalf of the Flag State
  • White (WL), Grey (GL) and Black lists (BL) are issued by the Paris MoU on 01 July each year and shows the performance of flag State.

SHIPS DETAINED IN OCTOBER 2017

Vessel Name: APELLA

GT: 662

IMO: 7607613

Flag: Sierra Leone (Black List)

Company: 4M Lojistir Hizmetieri Ltd

Classification Society: PSCO

Recognised Organisation: PSCO

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: PSCO

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: PSCO

Date and Place of Detention: 27th October 2017 at Plymouth

Summary: Twenty deficiencies with eighteen grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
01137 – Civil liability for Bunker oil pollution damage cert Missing Yes
01139 – Maritime Labour Certificate Missing Yes
01106 – Document of Compliance Missing Yes
01122 – International ship security certificate Missing Yes
01113 – Minimum Safe Manning Document Entries missing Yes
01123 – Continuous Synopsis Record Invalid No
01209 – Manning specified by the Minimum Safe Manning document Not as required Yes
01214 – Endorsement by flagstate Missing Yes
07110 – Fire fighting equipment and appliances Not properly maintained No
05118 – Operation of GMDSS Lack of familiarity Yes
10112 – Electronic charts (ECDIS) Not as required Yes
10116 – Nautical publications Missing Yes
18201 – Fitness for duty – work and rest hours Not as required Yes
04108 – Muster List Not updated Yes
01326 – Stability information booklet Not approved Yes
01315 – Oil record book Entries Missing Yes
11116 – Distress flares Expired Yes
13102 – Auxiliary engine Not as required Yes
11104 – Rescue boats Not properly maintained Yes
07105 – Fire doors/opening in fire-resisting divisions Missing Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Vessel Name: BLUE ALFA

GT: 1887

IMO: 7921007

Flag: Denmark (White List)

Company: Blue Star Line

Classification Society: RINA

Recognised Organisation: RINA

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: DNV GL

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: DNV GL

Date and Place of Detention: 29th October 2017 at Aberdeen

Summary: Fifteen deficiencies with five grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
02109 – Permanent means of access Not properly maintained No
10105 – Magnetic compass Not as required No
10105 – Magnetic compass Not as required No
10105 – Magnetic compass Not as required No
10104 – Gyro compass Inoperative No
18408 – Electrical Not as required No
01101 – Cargo ship safety equipment (including exemption) Not properly filled No
10109 – Lights, shape, sound signals Inoperative No
01201 – Certificate – for master and officers Missing Yes
10133 – Bridge operation Lack of familiarity Yes
10110 – Signalling lamp Missing No
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drill) Lack of training Yes
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drill) Lack of training Yes
18201 – Fitness for duty, work and rest Unfit for duty No
15150 – ISM Not as required Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Vessel Name: SENSEI

GT: 13865

IMO: 9084229

Flag: Panama (White List)

Company: Karlog Shipping Co Ltd

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK/QRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: DNV GL/QRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: QRS

Date and Place of Detention: 29th October 2017 at Aberdeen

Summary: Eighteen deficiencies with six grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
10127 – Voyage or passage plan Not as required Yes
10114 – Voyage data recorder (VDR)/Simplified Voyage data recorder (S-VDR) Not as required Yes
05114 – Reserve source of energy Not as required Yes
11124 – Embarkation arrangement survival craft Not properly maintained Yes
11102 – Lifeboat inventory Not as required No
04109 – Fire drills Lack of control Yes
15150 – ISM Not as required Yes
18305 – Hospital accommodation (Sickbay) Not as required No
03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casings Damaged No
10138 – BNWAS Inadequate No
11131 – On board training and instructions Lacking of training No
10109 – Lights, shapes, sound-signals Not as required No
05116 – Operation/maintenance Not as required No
07106 – Fire detection and alarm system Not as required No
11117 – Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition Not as required No
10126 – Record of drills and steering gear tests Not as required No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions Not as required No
01140 – Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (Part I and II) Invalid No

This vessel was released on 20th October 2017

Vessel Name: RUYTER

GT: 2528

IMO: 9374674

Flag: Netherlands (White List)

Company: V D Innovation BV

Classification Society: BV

Recognised Organisation: BV

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: RINA

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: RINA

Date and Place of Detention: 15th October 2017 at Warrenpoint

Summary: Eight deficiencies with four grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
04102 – Emergency fire pump and its pipes Inoperative Yes
02106 – Hull damage impairing seaworthiness Holed Yes
13102 – Auxiliary engine Insufficient power Yes
13102 – Auxiliary engine Not as required No
10138 – BNWAS Malfunctioning No
10117 – Echo sounder Inoperative No
10135 – Monitoring of voyage or passage plan Not as required No
15150 – ISM Not as required Yes

This vessel was released on 26th October 2017

DETENTIONS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS MONTHS

Vessel Name: REGGAE

GT: 1567

IMO: 8500408

Flag: Panama (White list)

Company: Voda Denizcilik Ve Districet Ltd

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: National Shipping Adjuster Inc

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 27th June 2017 at Leith

Summary: Nineteen deficiencies with four grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
07112 – Emergency escape breathing device and disposition Not as required No
18425 – Access/structural features (ship) Missing equipment No
04109 – Fire drills Lack of training No
04108 – Muster List Incomplete No
10105 – Magnetic compass Not readable No
09232 – Cleanliness of engine room Insufficient No
15150 – ISM Not as required No
03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casing Damaged No
02101 – Closing devices/watertight doors Inoperative No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions Not as required No
18203 – Wages Not according SEA Yes
11117 – Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition Missing No
02105 – Steering gear Not as required No
11108 – Inflatable liferafts Insufficient No
01220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA) Not as required Yes
18314 – Provision quantity Insufficient Yes
18204 – Calculation and payment of wages Not according SEA Yes
10116 – Nautical publications Not updated No
13102 – Auxiliary engine Missing No

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Vessel Name: SECCADI

GT: 1596

IMO: 9123295

Flag: Panama (White list)

Company: Voda Gemi Isletmeciligi AS

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: National Shipping Adjusters Inc

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 20th June at Runcorn

Summary: Eleven deficiencies with six grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
12220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA) Not as required Yes
18203 – Wages No records Yes
18203 – Wages Missing Yes
18203 – Wages Not according to SEA Yes
18203 – Wages Not adequate Yes
18201 – Fitness for duty – work and rest hours Not as required No
18313 – Cleanliness Signs of vermin No
18314 – Provision quantity Insufficient Yes
18308 – Furnishing Damaged No
18302 – Sanitary Facilities Damaged No
15150 – ISM Not as required No

This vessel was released on 10th October 2017

Vessel Name: TAHSIN

GT: 1598

IMO: 9055187

Flag: Panama (White list)

Company: Voda Denizcilik IC Dis Tacaret Ltd

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK/NASHA

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 2nd June at Sharpness

Summary: Twelve deficiencies with eight grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
18327 – Ventilation (working spaces) Inoperative Yes
10116 – Nautical publications Missing Yes
01214 – Endorsement by flagstate Missing No
01220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA) Invalid Yes
11128 – Line-throwing appliance Expired No
11129 – Operational readiness of lifesaving appliances Expired No
01202 – Certificate for rating for watching Missing Yes
18203 – Wages Not according SEA Yes
10111 – Charts Missing Yes
05106 – INMARSAT ship earth station Not as required Yes
15150 – ISM Not as required Yes
03104 – Cargo & other hatchways Damaged No

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Vessel Name: MALAVIYA SEVEN

GT: 3001

IMO: 9087312

Flag: India (Grey List)

Company: GOL Offshore Ltd

Classification Society: IRS

Recognised Organisation: IRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: IRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: IRS

Date and Place of Detention: 5th October 2016 at Aberdeen

Summary: Five deficiencies with five grounds for detention

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire resisting divisions Not as required Yes
07113 – Fire pumps and its pipes Not as required Yes
18203 – Wages Missing Yes
01220 – Seafarers employment agreement (SEA) Invalid Yes
18204 – Calculation and payment of wages No records Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Vessel Name: SEA TRIDENT

GT: 964.

IMO No: 7393169.

Flag: PANAMA (white list)

Company:

Classification Society: Expired

Recognised Organisation: Expired

Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC:

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC:

Date and Place of Detention: 17 June 2016, West Cowes

Summary: Seventeen deficiencies with seventeen grounds for detentions

Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
01101 – Cargo ship safety equipment cert Expired Yes
01102 – Cargo Ship safety construction cert Expired Yes
01104 – Cargo ship safety radio cert Expired Yes
01108 – Loadline cert Expired Yes
01117 – IOPP (International Oil Pollution Prevention cert Expired Yes
01119 – International Sewage Pollution Prevention cert Expired Yes
01124 – International Air Pollution Prevention cert Expired Yes
01137 – Civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage cert Expired Yes
01199 – Other certs (Certificate of class) Expired Yes
01201 – Certificates for master and officers Missing Yes
10111 – Charts Not updated Yes
10116 – Publications Nautical Not updated Yes
11108 – Inflatable liferafts Expired Yes
11116 – Distress flares Missing Yes
07109 – Fixed fire fighting extinguishing installation Not as required Yes
07110 – Fire fighting equipment & appliances Not as required Yes
01140 – Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Missing Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Vessel Name: CIEN PORCIENTO (General Cargo)

GT: 106.

IMO No: 8944446.

Flag: Unregistered.

Company: Open Window Inc.

Classification Society: Unclassed.

Recognised Organisation: Not applicable.

Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: Not applicable.

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: Not applicable

Date and Place of detention: 4 March 2010, Lowestoft

Summary: Thirty deficiencies including seven grounds for detention

This vessel was still detained on 31st October 2017

Notes to Editors

• The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector at www.seavision.org.uk

• Follow us on Twitter: @MCA_media

For further information please contact Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on: +44 (0) 2380 329 401 Press releases and further information about the agency is available here.

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Press release: Solicitor General visits University of Law in Chester to mark National Pro Bono Week

Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP will be visiting the University of Law (ULaw) in Chester today (6 November) to meet law students and take part in a Streetlaw session with local school pupils.

His visit marks the start of National Pro Bono Week, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the important work done by legal professionals and the voluntary sector to help people gain access to justice.

The Solicitor will visit the University of Law’s pro bono department at the Chester campus and will meet with students working with the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) which provides a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence.

As part of the programme students are given full training to interview the clients over the phone and then fill in the necessary forms online that would allow injunctions to be issued. The work often leads to them acting as Mackenzie friends which involves assisting and advising a litigant in person, in the preparation of their case and during the hearing.

The Streetlaw event will see school children learning about the legal issues related to filming at school and then posting the footage online via social media.

The Solicitor General, Robert Buckland, QC MP said:

“It’s fantastic to meet future lawyers offering advice through pro bono initiatives. Many start their pro bono work while they are students and continue that important commitment throughout their careers.

“Pro bono work provides a vital contribution to our society and helps legal professionals maintain strong connections to the community.

“The Streetlaw programme is helping to educate the next generation of lawyers, while providing participants with important knowledge on legal issues that relate to them.”

Carol Draycott, Dean of The University of Law(ULaw)’s Chester campus, said:

“At ULaw we are committed to providing our students with first-hand practical experience and through our pro bono programme we have been able to help a number of people who might otherwise not have easy access to legal advice.

“We are honoured that the Solicitor General has taken time to visit us during such an important week designed to promote and highlight the voluntary work done by legal professionals.”

Streetlaw is a national, public legal education project that is delivered by law students in universities across England and Wales. The students deliver interactive and engaging legal workshops that aim to educate community groups and school children about the law as it relates to them.

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Press release: UK named “Country of Honour” as trade mission heads to flagship Chinese International Industry Fair

A business delegation including of some of the UK’s best advanced manufacturing and innovation companies will head to China this week to boost growing bilateral trade and investment ties.

Minister for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Rona Fairhead, and Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, Jake Berry, will be joined by 100 leading business figures from across the Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine and the East of England to represent Britain at the Chinese International Industrial Fair (CIIF), where the UK has been named Country of Honour.

The UK and China enjoy strong trade links, with bilateral trade increasing by 8.9% last year to more than £59 billion, and goods exports to China rocketing by 32%.

Ministers believe there is huge potential to build on this progress and expand trade ties, especially for smaller businesses based in the East of England, Midlands and the North. The trade mission to Shanghai has been designed to showcase these companies and demonstrate what they have to offer to their Chinese counterparts.

Delegates include:

  • Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technology who have made a strong commitment to support the Chinese alternative energy vehicle industry
  • Liverpool Vision, who are seeking to attract further Chinese investment into the Liverpool City Region through city-city links
  • Domino Printing, a provider of coding and marking solutions for Chinese enterprise, who are looking to build on their relationships which have been established since 1995

Baroness Fairhead will also meet with prominent UK businesses based in China to explore how the Department of International Trade can continue to expand support for new exporters as well as companies with an existing presence in the Chinese market.

China’s services imports have more than tripled since 2010, making China already the second largest importer of services worldwide. China’s middle class is expected to number 600 million by 2020, greater than the current entire population of the European Union, presenting unrivalled opportunities for UK business.

Minister for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Rona Fairhead, said:

UK exports to China are growing strongly, but it’s clear that there is still vast untapped demand for British goods and services in the Chinese market.

The opportunities for growth are there, and we will continue to use trade missions not only to build the UK culture of exporting, but also to help businesses of all sizes forge ties and cultivate relationships with potential buyers and investors.

As part of his visit Jake Berry will be attending the Northern Powerhouse Day that the Chinese International Industrial Fair is holding along with key members of the UK delegation.

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, Jake Berry, said:

Northern Powerhouse businesses have so much to offer so it’s fantastic to see them at this year’s Chinese International Industrial Fair in Shanghai, demonstrating the strengths and opportunities for investment in the region.

This trade mission represents an exciting opportunity for the UK and China to build on an already flourishing commercial relationship.

The CIIF is the flagship event for advanced manufacturing in China, with more than 2,500 exhibitors and 160,000 visitors. It covers new energy vehicles, big data, robotics, aerospace and clean energy amongst other innovative technology.

As the Country of Honour, the UK trade mission will demonstrate the strength of British advanced manufacturing and emphasise that Britain is open for business as we prepare to exit the European Union.

The UK pavilion will exhibit the very best of the UK business, featuring companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Graphene Institute, Shadow Robotics and McLaren.

Baroness Fairhead will also visit Chongqing where she will attend the China-UK graphene standards working group, promoting the UK’s leading role in the research, development of and commercialisation of graphene. UK companies are already benefiting from the use of the innovative material, which is 200 times stronger than steel, and it is expected to open up vast new markets around the world for British businesses.

Contact the DIT Media and Digital Team on 020 7008 3333

Follow us: @tradegovuk, gov.uk/dit

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