Jul172017

Keeping crime down and communities safe

SNP

Over the last ten years, under an SNP Scottish Government, Scotland has become a safer place. Yet we continue face challenges, not least the impact of inequality on the likelihood of someone to be a perpetrator or victim of crime. That’s why we remain absolutely committed to reducing inequality, tackling crime and reforming our justice system.

Jul172017

News story: David Davis’ opening remarks at the start of second round of EU exit negotiations in Brussels

HM Government

It’s good to be back in Brussels, to open the next formal round of the negotiations.

We made a good start last month, and as Michel says we are now getting into the substance of the matter.

As you’ve heard, it’s four categories; the issue of citizens rights, the issue of finance, the issue of separation issues and of course, separately, Northern Ireland.

For us it is incredibly important that we now make good progress, that we negotiate through this and identify the differences so that we can deal with them, and identify the similarities so we can reinforce them.

And now, it’s time to get down to work and make this a successful negotiation.

Thank you very much indeed.

Jul172017

Press release: Tech innovators urged to use their skills to tackle terror threat

HM Government

The UK is already renowned for its world-leading academics, researchers, engineers and technology developers, but today the Government is urging these talented individuals to come together and further support our work to keep the public safe.

In his speech Security Minister Ben Wallace is expected to say:

“Society must come together to defeat terrorism which is why I am delighted to see representatives here from businesses from across the country who take seriously the need to protect the public.

“In light of the horrific attacks in London and Manchester, the Government has committed to review its counter-terror strategy and further to this I am announcing today that we are making up to £2 million available to fund research into cutting edge technology and behavioural science projects designed to keep people safe in crowds.

“The threat from terror does not stand still so neither will we, which is why we are calling on the best and the brightest from the science and technology sector to come forward with their ideas and proposals to support our ongoing work to keep people safe.”

The competition is being run in a partnership between the Home Office and Defence and Security Accelerator with support from the Royal Society. The competition is seeking research proposals from the country’s brightest talents for innovative or novel ideas to reduce the threat from terrorist attacks using weapons or explosives.

This competition forms part of the science and technology programme within the Government’s current counter-terrorism strategy.

Head of the Defence and Security Accelerator, Lucy Mason, said:

“The terrible terrorist attacks in London and Manchester shocked and appalled all of us. Protecting people from terrorism is something we can all do, industry and academics and public servants.

“We don’t have all the answers. So we must bring together the brightest minds from the private sector, and academia to help find solutions to help keep our country and people safe and secure.

“The Defence and Security Accelerator exists to help government find and exploit game-changing ideas to help the security services and police stay one step ahead of those who threaten our safety. By funding and fast tracking the development of real solutions, we help to bring the innovation community together, rapidly.

“So today I reach out to our innovation community to be part of something bigger and show their support for their country. I’d encourage anyone who feels they have a great idea that can help keep our crowded areas safe to visit our website for more information on this competition.”

Vice-President of the Royal Society, Professor Alex Halliday, said:

“Research and innovation are key to improving lives in so many ways. That includes finding new ways to fight terrorist threats.

“I am sure the ingenuity of the UK’s innovators will deliver new technologies that will help make us all safer.”

Jul172017

State of Perth Road surfacing work “totally unacceptable” – nearly three weeks on

Fraser Macpherson
I have again strongly complained to the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership about “unacceptable” road surface dressing with chippings on part of Perth Road west of Harris Academy that left the area covered in a thick dust and led to many residents’ complaints.   

I have requested urgent action to deal with large amounts of dust in the area – particularly on the pavements – nearly three weeks on from the original road surfacing work taking place.

I initially raised concerns when the surface dressing took place during the last week of June following numerous constituent complaints.

The council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership has since responded to my complaint as follows :

“We have been using this aggregate in surface dressing for a number of years with great success and it is also a popular stone used by other surface dressing contractors in Scotland. The Arbroath Road section completed last year was the same specification as used at Perth Road this year.

The stone is certified by the quarry as meeting the specification for the surface dressing, and the stone is also washed for dust removal prior to use. Over and above the certification requirements we also undertake secondary independent testing of the surface dressing stone to ensure the delivered load meets the specification requirements. I can confirm all these steps were undertaken and the stone met with the specification requirements.

Unfortunately as you are aware we experienced a significant level of early life dust release following laying and I can confirm this was in excess of what was expected and planned. Please accept my apologies for this. We believe the dust is associated with the stone crushing when initially rolled with the pneumatic tyre rollers (PTR). 

We are considering changing to an alternate stone source next year  … I can confirm the early dust release has no detrimental impact on the service life longevity of the surfacing laid, it being a nuisance and disruption factor rather than performance.

Lastly, as discussed we increased the aftercare significantly at Perth Road following completion of the works. As noted on the Dundee City Council Road Maintenance website page, we usually sweep the road three times after laying, at set intervals. We have been regularly sweeping and vactoring the road surface in conjunction with spraying with water to suppress the dust   …  we believe this will resolve the worst of the dust problem. We will however continue to monitor …  and shall continue with dust suppression spraying and sweeping until we are satisfied the dust issues are no longer prevalent.”

Nearly three weeks on and the situation is still totally unsatisfactory.    The pavement in particular is still covered in a fine dust – see photo above.    How this can be considered an acceptable standard of work is completely beyond me.

Lessons really do need to be learned from this and I have asked the Roads Maintenance Partnership to take immediate steps to improve the Perth Road situation by dealing with any remaining dust, particularly on the pavement.      This has been an extremely poor situation and quality of work and it needs urgently rectified.