Feb92017

Press release: HS2 appoints Phase Two B Development Partner and engineering and environmental consultants

HM Government
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Plans to bring HS2 to Manchester and Leeds took a step forward today with the confirmation that contracts will be awarded to CH2M, Arup, an AECOM / Capita / INECO joint venture and a Mott MacDonald / WSP joint venture to help progress the design.

The appointments are a major milestone for the high speed rail project and comes after an 11 month competitive process, during which seven multi-national bidders were invited to tender for four packages of work.

CH2M will be become Phase Two B Development Partner and work together with teams from Arup, AECOM / Capita / INECO and Mott MacDonald / WSP.

Together, they will provide the expert engineering and environmental support needed to take forward the development of the route north of Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Yorkshire, with a hybrid Bill – essentially the planning application for this part of the route – expected to be presented to Parliament in 2019.

The government gave the go ahead for the sections of the route, between Crewe and Manchester, and Birmingham and Leeds, via Sheffield and the East Midlands, subject to some specific route refinements which are under consultation, in November last year. The dedicated high speed lines are planned to open in 2033, providing extra capacity between the UK’s largest cities, improving connectivity and reducing journey times.

Alison Munro, HS2 Ltd Managing Director – Development, said:

This contract awards mark an important milestone for HS2 – giving us the expert resource needed to progress the second phase of the project and bring high speed rail to Manchester and Leeds by 2033.

Our new partners bring a wealth of recent experience on some of the world’s most challenging and complex infrastructure projects and I look forward to working with them to ensure that HS2 can benefit from the experience and innovation they have to offer.

The following companies will be appointed:

Phase Two B Development Partner:

Phase Two B Civils Design and Environmental Services:

  • Lot 1 – CDES – Mott MacDonald / WSP joint venture
  • Lot 2 – CDES – AECOM / Capita / INECO joint venture
  • Lot 3 – CDES and Environmental Overview Consultant (EOC) – Arup

Contracts are expected to be signed after the 20 February 2017 with staff joining the HS2 Ltd team soon after.

Feb92017

41.2 pct of Chinese hold urban hukou in 2016

East Asia
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China’s registered permanent urban residents rose to 41.2 percent of the total population in 2016, after easing of “hukou” (household registration) policy, the Ministry of Public Security announced Thursday.

In 2015, only 39.9 percent of the population held urban status and the current urbanization drive is aiming for 45 percent by 2020.

At a video conference held on Thursday, the ministry of public security called for a more reasonable points system and for registration in most cities for students and migrant workers to become easier still.

The government is gradually bringing the unregistered population into the hukou system, including orphans, second children born illegally during the one-child policy and the homeless.

Last year, more than 1.43 million people formerly without hukou were registered, the ministry said.

Various benefits such as health care and education are based on hukou, and are supposed to be in line with long-term places of work and residence.

Feb92017

News story: Thousands of students will benefit from new cadet units backed by £50 million Government plan

MOD
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Thousands of students, many often from less prosperous areas, are set to benefit from the development prospects and new skills, such as team-work, problem solving and leadership that school cadet units bring. These will be opened in areas where previously opportunities such as this were limited.

This new wave of cadet units follows an announcement last year by Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon on another 25, as the government remains on target to have a total of 500 running in UK schools by 2020. The CEP is backed by £50 million funding from LIBOR fines, which pays for set up costs, the students’ uniforms, equipment and training.

Speaking at Brompton Academy today, Defence Minister Mark Lancaster, said:

These new units help deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment that more students should be able to enjoy the rewards of joining the cadets from every background.

Cadet Forces offer a fantastic opportunity for students, providing exciting new opportunities and helping to instil the positive values of citizenship, responsibility and fairness.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster meets Army Cadets at Brompton Academy as he announces 25 schools to create new cadet units. Crown copyright.
Defence Minister Mark Lancaster meets Army Cadets at Brompton Academy as he announces 25 schools to create new cadet units. Crown copyright.

Cadet units, provide challenging and enjoyable activities for students, offering them the opportunity to learn new skills, engage in adventurous activities, and help them gain vocational BTEC qualifications. Schools also recognise the benefits, with a number of Head Teachers saying that having cadets as students improves attendance and classroom behavior and research has shown an increase in academic achievement, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Learn more about the Cadet Expansion Programme here.

The Schools that will be setting up new Cadet units are:

  • Ash Manor School- Surrey
  • Aston University Engineering Academy- West Midlands
  • Barr Beacon School- West Midlands
  • Boldon School- Tyne and Wear
  • Cookstown High School- County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
  • Haberdashers’ Aske’s Knights Academy- Kent
  • Hayesfield Girls School- Somerset
  • Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy- Dorset
  • Knole Academy- Sevenoaks, Kent
  • Maxwelltown High School- Lochside Rd, Dumfries
  • Northbrook College- West Sussex
  • Ron Dearing UTC- Hull
  • Shenfield High School- Essex
  • Sirius Academy West- Hull
  • St Antony’s Catholic College- Greater Manchester
  • The Dean Academy- Gloucestershire
  • The Hawthorne’s Free School- Merseyside
  • The International School – West Midlands
  • The John Warner School – Hertfordshire
  • The Phoenix Collegiate- West Midlands
  • The Priory City of Lincoln Academy- Lincolnshire
  • The Priory Ruskin Academy- Lincolnshire
  • The Priory Witham Academy- Lincolnshire
  • The Victory Academy- Kent

Feb92017

Press release: Newcastle man sentenced for illegal waste operation

Environment Agency
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A Newcastle man has been handed a suspended prison sentence for running an illegal waste site.

Leonard Sutherland, 77, from Burns Close Pig Farm at Armstrong Street in Callerton, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 February.

It had originally been set for trial, but on his appearance he pleaded guilty to operating a waste site without a permit at Burns Close Pig Farm.

He was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must also clear all waste from the site by 7 April.

Image shows waste at the site at Callerton

Significant amount of waste

On behalf of the Environment Agency, solicitor Simon Crowder told the court that two Environment Officers attended the site on seven different dates between January 2015 and July 2016.

They saw a significant amount of mixed waste on the ground, with new waste noticed on each visit. The waste had been sorted into types, and there was some evidence of burning.

On talking to Sutherland, he said it was someone else who was responsible for putting the waste on his land. This person was spoken to and evidence gathered, but there was no link between his activities and the waste at the site. Sutherland also said he was in poor health.

In March 2015, Sutherland agreed with the Environment Agency that the site would be cleared within two months and waste transfer notes would be provided. The site was not cleared.

Image shows waste at the site at Callerton

The Environment Agency’s Andy Rothery, who was involved in the investigation, said after the case:

Sutherland was repeatedly told the waste on his site was illegal and despite being given opportunities to clear it, this didn’t happen. Illegal waste activity has a detrimental impact on the community and environment, as well as undermining legitimate businesses.

We’ll continue to work hard to ensure enforcement action is taken against those who flout the law.

Feb92017

Press release: Newcastle man sentenced for illegal waste operation

DEFRA
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A Newcastle man has been handed a suspended prison sentence for running an illegal waste site.

Leonard Sutherland, 77, from Burns Close Pig Farm at Armstrong Street in Callerton, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 February.

It had originally been set for trial, but on his appearance he pleaded guilty to operating a waste site without a permit at Burns Close Pig Farm.

He was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must also clear all waste from the site by 7 April.

Image shows waste at the site at Callerton

Significant amount of waste

On behalf of the Environment Agency, solicitor Simon Crowder told the court that two Environment Officers attended the site on seven different dates between January 2015 and July 2016.

They saw a significant amount of mixed waste on the ground, with new waste noticed on each visit. The waste had been sorted into types, and there was some evidence of burning.

On talking to Sutherland, he said it was someone else who was responsible for putting the waste on his land. This person was spoken to and evidence gathered, but there was no link between his activities and the waste at the site. Sutherland also said he was in poor health.

In March 2015, Sutherland agreed with the Environment Agency that the site would be cleared within two months and waste transfer notes would be provided. The site was not cleared.

Image shows waste at the site at Callerton

The Environment Agency’s Andy Rothery, who was involved in the investigation, said after the case:

Sutherland was repeatedly told the waste on his site was illegal and despite being given opportunities to clear it, this didn’t happen. Illegal waste activity has a detrimental impact on the community and environment, as well as undermining legitimate businesses.

We’ll continue to work hard to ensure enforcement action is taken against those who flout the law.