The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is the European fund established to provide support for adapting to the Common Fisheries Policy, including control and enforcement and data collection obligations. EMFF supports sustainable development within the fishing and aquaculture sectors and the conservation of the marine environment, alongside supporting growth and jobs in coastal communities.

In order to support small fisheries businesses through the application process the Cabinet Secretary has made additional funds available. Each small business who is interested in applying for EMFF funding will be able to access up to a maximum of £3,000 to pay an advisor of their choice to help them develop their ideas into fundable projects.

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is worth between £14m – £16m to fishing and aquaculture industries in Wales. It goes a long way in helping us achieve our objective to develop a vibrant, competitive and sustainable fishing sector.

“The outcome of the EU referendum last year and the subsequent guarantee by the Treasury to honour commitments made until the UK leaves the EU, means it is important Wales maximises the take up of this fund.

“I have, therefore, decided to make funds available from my budget to provide support to small fisheries businesses considering making an application for EMFF funding.

“There are many good ideas for projects, however we do not have the luxury of taking a year to turn those ideas into fundable projects. This support will be focused on doing just that. Ensuring the project applications which come forward are ready to hit the ground running and do not remain just great ideas”.

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 3 February and 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.

M1 junction 30 Barlborough

The northbound exit and entry slip roads will be fully closed overnight on Tuesday 7 February for survey works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M1 Junction 32 Thurcroft to Junction 35a Stocksbridge

The hard shoulder is currently closed in both directions as part of the smart motorway scheme between junctions 32 and 34. The M18 Southbound link to the M1 northbound will be fully closed overnight for five nights from Monday 6 February. The northbound carriageway will be fully closed between the slip roads at junction 32 overnight for two nights on Saturday 11 February. The northbound carriageway will be fully closed between the slip roads at junction 33 overnight for two nights on Saturday 11 February.

The northbound exit slip road at junction 33 will be closed overnight for two nights from Monday 6 February. The northbound carriageway will be fully closed from junction 32 to junction 33 overnight for three nights from Wednesday 8 February. The southbound carriageway will be fully closed from junction 32 to junction 33 overnight for two nights from Monday 6 February. The southbound carriageway will be fully closed between the slip roads at junction 34 for two nights from Monday 6 February.

The southbound entry slip road at junction 33 will be fully closed overnight for two nights from Monday 6 February. There will be narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit until the project is completed. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M62 junction 22 to junction 23 Outlane

The eastbound carriageway will be reduced to single lane overnight for 6 nights from Monday 6 February for road markings to be repainted and reflective road studs to be replaced. The closures will take place between 10pm and 6am.

M62 junction 26 Bradford (M606 interchange)

The slip roads and roundabout will be reduced to a single lane overnight, between 7pm and 6am, on Tuesday 7 February to complete landscaping and other minor works associated with the junction improvement. Drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M62 junction 27 Gildersome

The eastbound entry slip road will be fully closed overnight on Tuesday 7 February for technology works. The closure will take place between 9pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M62 junction 30 to junction 31 Normanton

The carriageway will be fully closed overnight on Sunday 12 February for scaffold works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A1M junction 38 to junction 37 Marr

The southbound carriageway will be fully closed overnight on Tuesday 7 February for barrier works. The closures will take place between 9pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A64 Fulford

The eastbound carriageway will be fully closed between the slip roads overnight for two nights from Monday 6 February for bridge works. The westbound carriageway will be fully closed between the slip roads overnight for five nights from Monday 6 February for bridge works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

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.

The investment by SPC follows its acquisition of two rubber compound mixing production lines from Avon Engineered Rubber’s site in Maerdy. As part of its long-term strategy to invest in its colour-compounding capability, SPC moved one line to its manufacturing headquarters in Westbury, Wiltshire, and initially planned to move the second line to its facility in Barcelona.

In order to retain the asset in Wales and support the creation of new jobs, the Welsh Government is providing a £150,000 grant to back the large investment SPC is making to refurbish and fit out the Maerdy premises.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“This is a great outcome for all concerned. SPC is investing in existing and new equipment and Maerdy will have a new hi-tech rubber manufacturing plant with new jobs on the way. I am delighted to welcome SPC as a new inward investor and leading manufacturer to Wales.”

SPC, founded in 2001 by Stephen and Marilyn Hallas, is a rapidly growing, privately owned business and a recognised leading manufacturer of rubber compounds. Its world-class manufacturing principles combine investment in cutting-edge technology with unparalleled quality controls and complete batch traceability.

It specialises in technically demanding high quality products routinely used by market leaders in the aerospace, automotive and process industries and the energy sector.

SPC Operations Director, Paul Hallas, said:

“The new compounding facility represents the latest phase of our expansion plans for the growing business. It will bring ultra-clean, colour compounding expertise into the SPC fold.  

“The new plant will use the most modern advancements in state-of-the-art intermeshing technology, enabling us to offer the option of non-black rubber compounds and strained materials to both existing and new customers.

“And, with new regulatory measures coming into place, we predict this to be a future area of growth.”

The new Maerdy facility is expected to be up and running by early 2017.