Jan302017

Press release: Planned roadworks in the North East: summary for Monday 30 January to Sunday 5 February 2017

HM Government
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The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 27 January but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

A1 junction 56 Barton to junction 51 Leeming Bar

There will be phases of overnight lane closures and full carriageway closures while work takes place to upgrade the road to motorway standards. There will also be narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction 24 hours a day. On Monday 30 January there will be a closure northbound and southbound at junction 56 with a diversion down and under the interchange.

There will also be a northbound and southbound closure at Scotch Corner interchange with a diversion up and over the interchange. From Tuesday 31 January to Thursday 2 February there will be a closure northbound at junction 56 with a diversion down and under the interchange.

There will also be a northbound and southbound closure at Scotch Corner interchange with a diversion up and over the interchange. Then on Friday 3 February there will be a closure northbound at junction 56 with a diversion down and under the interchange.

There will also be a closure of the northbound entry slip at Scotch Corner interchange with a diversion southbound to Catterick Central and back. All closures will take place between 8pm and 6am.

A1 Blaydon Haugh Viaduct, junction 73 to junction 74, Newcastle upon Tyne

There is a 50mph limit in operation over Blaydon Haugh Viaduct due to the installation of temporary plates over defective viaduct joints. From Monday 30 January to Sunday 5 February there will be a carriageway closure southbound. All these closures will take place between 8pm and 6am with a diversion in place.

A1 / A1M junction 64 to junction 67, Gateshead

There will be various lane and carriageway closures north and southbound for structural repairs, commencing on Wednesday 18 January until the end of February.

A1 Morpeth, Northumberland

There will be work ongoing until spring 2017 for the construction of a bypass. There will be various phases of daytime and night time lane and carriageway closures, with narrow lanes and a 40mph speed restriction in place.

A1 Haggerston, Northumberland

There will be convoy working and traffic lights in place north and southbound to install new crossing areas. This will take place from Monday 30 January until late February between 8am and 4.30pm.

A1 Wandylaw to Warrenford, Northumberland

There will be traffic signals in place north and southbound for survey work. This will take place until Wednesday 8 February between 8pm and 6am.

There is a 24 hour 30mph speed restriction with narrow lanes for interchange improvement work. The A1058 Coast Road will be closed with a diversion down and under the junction on Friday 3 February 9.30am until 3.30pm.

A66 Long Newton, Stockton on Tees

There will be 24 hour traffic signals in operation on the slip road and interchange for construction work. This will take place until the end of February.

A66 Surtees Bridge, Stockton on Tees

There will be a westbound carriageway closure for structural maintenance work, taking place on Monday 30 January between 8pm and 6am with a diversion in place.

A66 Cross Lanes to Rokeby, County Durham

There will be convoy working in place east and westbound with some central reservation right hand turn lanes closed for resurfacing work. This will take place until Friday 3 February between 8pm and 6am, with some diversions in place.

A66 Bowes Moor to Cross Lanes, County Durham

There will be a lane closure east and westbound for horticultural work. This will take place until Tuesday 31 January between 7am and 5pm.

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.

Jan302017

First Minister welcomes the Prime Minister to Cardiff for Brexit talks

Welsh Government
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During the meeting, First Minister Carwyn Jones will urge Prime Minister Theresa May to use the Welsh Government’s EU White Paper as the starting point for forthcoming Brexit negotiations. 

The White Paper, published last week by First Minister Carwyn Jones and leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood, is a comprehensive, credible plan for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. 

The White Paper is not just a shopping list of demands from Wales, but a pragmatic starting point for negotiations that can deliver for all parts of the United Kingdom.

The paper balances concerns over immigration with the economic reality that makes participation in the single market central to Wales’ future prosperity.

In today’s meeting, the First Minister will also call on the Prime Minister to uphold the promises made during the referendum campaign that Wales would not lose funding as a result of the UK leaving the EU. 

First Minister, Carwyn Jones said: 

“I look forward to welcoming Government representatives from across the UK to Cardiff today. Today’s meeting is an important opportunity for open and frank discussions about the UK’s future post-Brexit. 

“While we know that the UK will leave the EU we don’t yet know how that will happen or what form our relationship with the EU will look like beyond that point. To inform that discussion, last week I launched our Brexit White Paper. This is a Paper that will be supported by almost three quarters of Assembly Members, setting out a comprehensive, credible and evidence-based plan for Brexit negotiations; securing both full and unfettered access to the Single Market and greater domestic control of immigration. 

“It is not simply a list of demands. While it protects Wales’ interests, it was created as a sensible starting point for negotiations for the whole UK.”

Jan302017

Large Neolithic site discovered in NW China

East Asia
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Archaeologists have discovered a large Neolithic ruin dating back more than 5,000 years in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

The site, covering over one million square meters, was found in Yulin City following a six-month excavation, according to the provincial archaeology institute.

Dwellings and ditches made between 3000 B.C. and 1000 B.C. have been discovered in seven sites.

The ruin is identified as belonging to the late Yangshao Culture period and the early Longshan Culture period of the Neolithic Age.

The Yangshao Culture originated on the middle reaches of the Yellow River and is considered an important part of Chinese civilization.

Shaanxi has 2,040 ruins of the Yangshao Culture, accounting for 40 percent of the country’s total.