Tag: communications

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Press release: Multi-million pound investment for the latest aerospace manufacturing and engine technology

  • 2 aerospace projects aimed to maximise engine performance and efficiency set to receive more than £10 million of government funding
  • Aerospace Minister Richard Harrington confirmed the investment on a visit to Rolls-Royce’s Derby facility today
  • the money is part of a £3.9 billion investment from industry and the government as part of the modern Industrial Strategy

Funding support for the latest technologies in aerospace engine manufacturing and performance, was announced today by Aerospace Minister Richard Harrington.

The 2 projects, jointly funded by Rolls-Royce and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), will bring together the best talent in the industry from academia and businesses to work on world-renowned research for aero-engine maintenance and manufacturing. The funding will support research to develop new engine cooling systems and cutting-edge technology to stop the formation of ice crystals on engines when cruising at high altitudes.

Aerospace Minister Richard Harrington confirmed the £10.7 million government funding towards the Rolls-Royce-led R&D projects on a visit to Rolls-Royce’s engineering and manufacturing facilities in Derby. In June 2017, Rolls-Royce committed to invest £150 million in its UK facilities to support plans of doubling engine production.

Aerospace Minister Richard Harrington said:

As the home of the first jet engine, the UK has an aerospace heritage that’s revered around the world. Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we will continue this legacy and have already committed to work with industry to invest £3.9 billion to further transform the sector.

These 2 projects will see the best talent from the industry come together to help the UK reach even greater heights in aerospace excellence.

The latest projects, worth over £21 million in total, are supported by ATI and Rolls-Royce with academic industry partners. This will be delivered through Innovate UK – the UK’s innovation agency.

Chief Technology Officer for Rolls-Royce Paul Stein said:

We welcome the support announced by the UK government today. Rolls-Royce is focused on pioneering new technologies and developing the next generation of highly skilled engineers by working with academia and industry. These research projects will play an important role in developing the innovative technologies needed to enhance performance, improve efficiency and reduce emissions of future aircraft.

Projects

The projects set to receive funding are:

COAST (Critical Oil and Air System Technologies)

£3.7 million, focuses on the development of engine systems to support cabin cooling, and advanced sealing solutions for oil systems and bearing chambers. The technologies developed in COAST will support reductions in fuel burn and improve the reliability of oil systems and the integration of engine systems with the airframe. This project is led by Rolls-Royce plc. in collaboration with Bladon Jet Ltd an SME based in Coventry and the Universities of Nottingham, Oxford and Sheffield.

DE-ICER (Design Excellence – Ice Crystal Engine Research)

£7 million, focuses on tackling the formation of ice crystals that can damage an aircraft. The project aims to target current gaps in ice crystal formation research and develop anti-icing systems and technology to protect the engine. This project is led by Rolls-Royce plc. in collaboration with Satavia Ltd, an SME in Cambridge, GKN Aerospace and the University of Oxford.

In 2015, the government and industry committed to spend £3.9 billion to further transform aerospace research until 2026 to help this sector build on our unique strengths in the UK through the Industrial Strategy.

The Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It sets out how we are building a Britain fit for the future – how we will help businesses create better, higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.

Link: Press release: Multi-million pound investment for the latest aerospace manufacturing and engine technology
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: £800k Stansted cycle path upgrade opens

Cyclists can enjoy a safe and scenic route across a busy motorway thanks to a Highways England project to restore the one mile route between Birchanger village and the airport.

When work started in December, cyclists commuting to the airport were having to navigate the tricky junction 8 of the M11, and were often put off using what was little more than a dirt track that formed part of National Cycle Network Route 16.

Upgrading the route involved resurfacing sections to a smooth pavement, erecting new signage, and clearing overhanging vegetation to provide a traffic-free way from Birchanger Lane.

The 10,000 hours of work also involved embedding energy-efficient solar stud lights and “give way” signage for horse riders and cyclists where there are concealed turns. The improvements to the one mile route were part of an £11 million package of works on the M11, which has included road and bridge repairs on the motorway and the A11, and were also a part of Highways England’s commitment to improving facilities for riders through its special cycling fund.

Cyclists using the new path
Cyclists using the new pathway

Highways England project manager Karl Brooks said:

We did this work to provide a more attractive route for cyclists, who have been using the junction 8 roundabout due to the state of the cycle path. Highways England is delivering 200 cycling upgrades between 2015 and 2020 to help make cycling easier around major A roads and over motorway junctions across England. They will contribute towards a connected, comfortable, attractive and high quality cycling network, suitable and safe for use by people of all ages and abilities.

This new path now offers an attractive and much safer route for users, including Stansted Airport staff, students of the new Stansted Airport College, Birchanger residents, and many more.

Cycling Minister Jesse Norman MP added:

I want us to become a nation of cyclists, and for cycling to become a natural choice of transport for people of all ages and backgrounds. This Government is determined to make cycling and walking safer and easier across the country, and it is encouraging to see the work Highways England has done to improve this cycleway for users.

London Stansted Airport employee and path user Chris Wiggan said:

As a regular user of the cycle routes around the airport this is a vast improvement and will make accessing the airport from my home in Bishop’s Stortford and other surrounding villages like Birchanger and Stansted Mountfitchet a hell of a lot more pleasurable than navigating junction 8.

Essex County Councillor Lesley Wagland, Deputy Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, also supports the refurbishment of the path to improve access for cyclists and pedestrians:

New cycle infrastructure like this is a perfect fit with our ambitions for more sustainable forms of transport.

It is a significant contributor to a greener Essex, to safe and healthy exercise, to accessibility for jobs and helps to free up our roads to support the economy.

Will Allanson is the Vice Principal for Harlow College, whose students at its new Stansted Airport College will benefit from the improved cycleway.

As a keen cyclist myself it is great to have a safe and picturesque route to college that can be enjoyed by our students and staff.

With wellbeing as well as sustainability in mind we will be wholeheartedly encouraging its use.

This work was designed by WSP and completed by Interserve on behalf of Highways England. It was part of the £61.4 million Highways England spent on maintaining the East’s roads over the last financial year, with a further £54.2 million of maintenance work the organisation has committed to over the next 12 months.

Responsibility for maintaining the bridleway and cycle path will now transfer to Essex County Council.

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.


Link: Press release: £800k Stansted cycle path upgrade opens
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Banking (Cash Machine Charges and Financial Inclusion)

A Bill to prohibit cash machine charges; to require banks to enable free cash withdrawals from current accounts in other circumstances; to require the Financial Conduct Authority to supervise an access to banking standard; to impose penalties for breaches of that standard; to establish a financial inclusion fund, and provide for amounts received in such penalties to be paid into that fund; and for connected purposes.

Link: Banking (Cash Machine Charges and Financial Inclusion)
Source: Public Bills

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Press release: Traffic officer Siobhan drives home message on avoiding breakdowns

In a series of videos, Siobhan Wares uses her expertise to help motorists heading off on their travels get their vehicles ready for the road in a bid to cut the number of breakdowns.

And motorists taking to the road over the May bank holiday are being urged to have a look at their vehicle before setting off.

Almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems which could be avoided with simple checks and nearly a quarter are caused by tyre problems.

Meanwhile, around 22 motorists break down each day because they run out of fuel.

Highways England produced five short instructional videos featuring Siobhan explaining how to check tyre pressure, tyre tread, oil and water levels and lights to help prevent needless breakdowns and cut the unnecessary delays they cause.

Siobhan, from West Sussex, a South East-based traffic officer patrolling the M25 and other major routes, appears in each of the videos and warned breakdowns can lead to more serious incidents.

The 48-year-old mother-of-three said:

We deal with lots of breakdowns, often caused by people running out of fuel or their engine seizing up, but if you carry out the basic checks you’re not just avoiding inconvenience, you’re keeping yourself and others safe.

If you breakdown and you have family with you, your passengers as well as other road users are being put at risk.

Siobhan joined Highways England’s traffic officer service nine years ago as an operator in the South East Regional Control Centre, before becoming an on-road traffic officer four years ago.

A motorist breaking down on the M25 can end up completely blocking the motorway. It’s not rocket science; check your fuel, tyres, oil and water.

The videos cover:

  • checking tyres: prior to setting off on a long/significant journey, check your tyre pressure and the condition of your tyres, including the spare. Look out for cuts or wear and make sure the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit.
  • checking engine oil: use your dipstick to check oil before any long journey, and top up if needed. Take your car back to the garage if you’re topping up more than usual.
  • checking water: to ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear debris or dirt off your windscreen.
  • checking lights: if your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself and your family at risk. In addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MoT.

Motorists are also urged to check fuel: before setting out, check your fuel levels and make sure you have enough to get to your destination.

To help motorists, Highways England is also removing some 237 miles of roadworks by 6am on Friday 25 May 2018 meaning more than 98 per cent of the motorway and A-road network managed by Highways England, will be roadworks-free. The roadworks will not be put back in place until 00:01 Tuesday 29 May 2018.

For more detailed information on how to carry out your vehicle checks, visit the Think! website.

Those wishing to find out more about driving on smart motorways can head online to our Smart Motorways page for further information.

More information can be found on our website or by calling our information line (0300 123 5000) who can keep you up to date with conditions on the roads.

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.

Link: Press release: Traffic officer Siobhan drives home message on avoiding breakdowns
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Inaugural meeting of the Life Sciences Council at Downing Street

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Life Sciences Council, a partnership between government and industry, met for the first time yesterday to discuss the future of the life sciences sector.

It was chaired jointly by the Business and Health and Social Care Secretaries, who outlined the importance of the life sciences sector to the modern industrial strategy, the NHS and patients.

At the meeting, pharmaceutical company Eisai announced it would make a further substantial investment in dementia research in the UK, in support of the government’s ambition to be a global hub for dementia research.

All agreed substantial progress had been made on implementing the Life Sciences Sector Deal. The importance of data to both industry and patients was a key topic of discussion.

Upcoming negotiations on the price paid by the NHS for medicines was also raised. Both government and industry confirmed advance talks had been productive.

Brexit, the challenges and opportunities it presents along with priorities for the sector was discussed. Industry leaders were clear on the government’s commitment to achieving a good outcome for the sector, both for medicines and the wider sector.

The UK has a proud history of innovation, and both government and industry were united today in confirming their drive to deliver excellence.

Eisai said:

The substantial investment announced today by Eisai’s CEO, Dr Harou Naito, for extending its investment for dementia research in the UK is a reflection of the high standard of UK science, its universities and the support of the government’s Life Science Industrial Strategy. It also extends the close cooperation between the UK and Japan in finding new treatments for this terrible disease which affects so many worldwide.

Link: Press release: Inaugural meeting of the Life Sciences Council at Downing Street
Source: Gov Press Releases