HM Government

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Press release: Public exhibitions on A46 Coventry junction upgrade

The A46 is a strategic link between the East and West Midlands, connecting Coventry and Warwickshire to the motorway network. The scheme is part of the government’s £15.2bn road investment strategy, involving work to both Binley and Walsgrave junctions.

Highways England will progress with Binley first, helping to improve traffic flows at this important junction. As part of the plans for Binley the A46 dual carriageway will become a flyover with connections via slip roads. Local traffic will continue to use the revised roundabout layout with access in place to and from the A46. This will separate local traffic connecting on to and using the A428 from through-traffic, so that drivers on the A46 no longer need to slow down for a roundabout as they do now, therefore improving traffic flow. The work will also incorporate improvements to the existing footway and cycle path.

Highways England project manager, Malcolm Mitson, said:

This work will help alleviate congestion at this busy junction and improve journey times for motorists. As well as improving the flow of traffic, safety will be improved by separating local traffic from long-distance and business traffic.

The scheme will take approximately two years to complete, with construction starting no later than March 2020 and opening to traffic in 2022.

During the work, Highways England will minimise disruption to road users, local communities and the environment.

People attending the exhibitions will be able to see plans of the proposals, find out more about the scheme and ask questions of the project team.

The events will take place as follows:

  • Friday 17 February, 1pm to 8pm Community Centre, Warwickshire Shopping Park, Coventry, CV3 2SB
  • Saturday 18 February, 10am to 4pm Binley Woods Village Hall, Rugby Road, Binley Woods, Coventry, CV3 2AX

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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HM Government • • •

News story: £170 million plan to dual vital Somerset road

The key route between Sparkford and Ilchester is being upgraded to relieve the over-congested road and create 30 miles of dual carriageway between Mere and South Petherton.

The £170 million plan is part of the government’s £15 billion investment in our motorways and major A roads between 2015 and 2020 – the biggest in a generation.

More than 26,000 vehicles use this stretch of road a day, double the number it was designed for. Dualling the route will cut journey times and new junctions will enhance safety.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Almost 4 million trips are made on the A303 every year and we are investing more than £2 billion to improve these motorists’ journeys, making them quicker and safer.

Tackling congestion on this vital road will also help boost the economy in the south-west, unlock thousands of jobs and homes and promote tourism.

Work will include making junctions safer as well as providing better links for pedestrians and cyclists.

Highways England is consulting on the 2 routes and is urging residents to have their say on the plans. The consultation runs from 15 February to 29 March 2017.

The preferred route between Sparkford and Ilchester is due to be announced in autumn this year. Work is expected to start in 2020.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said:

This scheme will be really good news for people travelling to and from the south-west, particularly during the busy summer months.

Our consultation and public exhibitions will provide an excellent opportunity to explain further our plans and to hear feedback from people on our proposals to deliver the scheme.

A separate consultation on building a tunnel for the A303 near Stonehenge is also underway. This will further improve journeys on the main road between London and the south-west.

Further details on upgrading the A358 between Taunton and Southfields will also be revealed shortly.

Highways England is holding the following public information events:

  • 12.00 noon to 8.30pm, Thursday 23 February: Sparkford Inn Function Room, Sparkford
  • 10.00am to 5.00pm, Queen Camel Memorial Hall, High Street, Queen Camel, Yeovil
  • 10.00am to 6.00pm, Friday, 10 March: Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel, Yeovil
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HM Government • • •

News story: Avian flu confirmed at a farm near Redgrave in Suffolk

H5N8 avian flu has been confirmed at a poultry premises near Redgrave, in the district of mid-Suffolk.

The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu at a poultry premises near Redgrave, in the district of mid-Suffolk.

This follows the announcement of an initial 10km Temporary Control Zone around the premises on 13 February after laboratory analysis identified the presence of H5N8. Further investigations into the nature of the virus have now confirmed that it is the same highly pathogenic strain of H5N8 that has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016.

A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place. Use our interactive map to check if you are affected by restrictions around any premises.

The affected premises is estimated to contain approximately 23,000 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises will be humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.

Public Health England advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.

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HM Government • • •

Press release: British Minister for Africa to visit Democratic Republic of Congo

FCO Minister for the Middle East and Africa, Tobias Ellwood, will visit Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 14-15 February.

Speaking before the visit Mr Ellwood said:

‘I am delighted to be able to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo again. During my visit I hope to have the chance to better understand the current security and political situation in the country.

‘The UK remains a serious and committed partner of the DRC, as our half a billion dollar annual contribution shows. Part of that commitment involves direct assistance to the government through MONUSCO to end ongoing conflicts, where the primary responsibility for achieving this of course sits with the government.

‘But I will also be interested to see what progress has been made towards organising elections in 2017, including the implementation of the 31 December Agreement. The UK firmly believes that elections can always be organised where there is the will to do so, and that the greatest threat to DRC’s stability will arise where the democratic aspirations of the Congolese people are not met.

‘I take this opportunity to again present my condolences to the Congolese people for the recent loss of opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, whom I met during my last visit. He was an inspiration to many Congolese, whatever their political inclinations. In this period of mourning, and suspension of talks pending the formation of a new government, it would not be appropriate to discuss in detail international support for elections but I hope to do so with the new government in due course’.

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HM Government • • •