With temperatures continuing to fall during the week, the Highways Agency is reminding people of the need to be prepared when they set out on a journey.

Even if it’s not snowing, cold weather can create dangers that are less obvious – such as an increased risk of ice. This means you need to take care says the Agency, which looks after England’s motorways and major A roads.

“Although the forecast suggests you are unlikely to need a snow shovel this week, you should make sure you have plenty of warm clothing for you and your passengers. If you break down on the motorway it’s dangerous to stay in your vehicle,” says Jason Glasson of the Highways Agency’s winter team.

A Met Office cold weather alert has been issued for the entire country. They are predicting temperatures of minus three in London and Birmingham on Friday morning. Everywhere is expected to be sub zero and the temperature will ‘feel like’ minus six or lower in places.

The Highways Agency’s 500-strong gritting fleet is expecting this to be one of its busiest weeks of the winter.

Even though it has been relatively mild so far compared to last year, the fleet has already spread more than 60,000 tonnes of salt since the start of winter and is expecting to clock up a million miles by the weekend.

Met Office forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s national traffic operations centre say there will be little rain or snow before the weekend, but road conditions can still be challenging when it is so cold.

“It’s particularly important you give yourself extra time to prepare for your journey on a cold morning and don’t drive off until you and your car are ready,” adds Jason Glasson.

Advice includes:

• Even if it hasn’t rained overnight, a heavy frost can still make roads slippy.

• Watch out for icy conditions under bridges, overhanging trees and exposed roads.

• Allow extra time in the morning to de-ice your car windows – and then clean all of them so you have a good view.

• On a cold, clear morning there is a greater risk of being dazzled by low sun through a frosty windscreen. Include sunglasses in your winter driving kit.

Information about a winter driving kit and other advice to help motorists be prepared for winter is on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/winter

See below for regional breakdowns

Communities with ambitions for economic growth have today been rewarded with a cash boost of nearly £1billion to get their projects off the ground and improve their local areas.

Today’s announcement forms part of a wider package of measures announced by Housing Minister Grant Shapps, highlighting the vital and central role that housing is playing in getting the country’s economy on the road to recovery.

Ministers have confirmed the allocation of the £500milllion Growing Places Fund, designed to boost economic growth by getting the required infrastructure built to enable the creation of new homes and jobs and get stalled projects moving again.

The funding has been allocated to the country’s 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships, who will now decide what to prioritise locally.

The fund can be used to establish revolving funds to take forward a range of projects that can help boost economic growth, as Local Enterprise Partnerships offer funding to developers, but also secure a return on that investment.

In addition, Housing Minister Grant Shapps has confirmed a cash boost to 353 councils, who will receive a share of £432million New Homes Bonus funding after delivering 159,000 homes last year – and from a second round of payments for homes built the year before.

This year’s payment includes the first premium for affordable homes – totalling £20million.

Whether regenerating the town centre, reinvigorating treasured local assets or reinvesting in local services and enterprise, councils and communities will work together to decide how best to spend their New Homes Bonus.

Taken together, the allocations of the Growing Places and New Homes Bonus funding totals nearly £1billion.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said:

“Today’s announcement represents a massive cash boost of nearly £1billion to communities with a track record of going for growth, and with ambition to go even further.

The Growing Places Fund will unlock further sites for development, creating new jobs in those areas, while the New Homes Bonus recognises the efforts that have been made over the last year to deliver thousands of new homes and bring empty properties back into use.

I look forward to seeing how this significant investment will change the shape of communities across the country.”

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said:

“Transport provides the crucial links that allow people and businesses to prosper. This investment will develop and improve the infrastructure that moves goods and people around helping to build the balanced, dynamic and sustainable economy that is needed for our future prosperity.  Shovel-ready local transport projects like local roads and bridges can be essential to access new homes and new jobs. 

The Fund is also a unique opportunity for Local Enterprise Partnerships to establish a rolling investment programme and leverage the private sector to continue to deliver future projects that maximise economic benefit.

Our vision is for a transport system that is not only an engine for economic growth but also one that is safer, more environmentally friendly and improves quality of life in our communities.”

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said:

"Today we are confirming the allocations of the half a billion pound Growing Places fund, which will make a real difference to local infrastructure across the country.

The flexible fix-it fund will invest in a variety of projects to boost the local economy. The local community, through the Local Enterprise Partnerships, will decide on the priority projects, ranging from building strategic link roads to reducing congestion.”

Growing Places Fund – Final LEP distribution

NORTH WEST CELEBRITIES BACK NEW CAMPAIGN TO URGE

GREATER MANCHESTER’S BLACK AND ASIAN COMMUNITIES

TO JOIN THE NHS ORGAN DONOR REGISTER

- Oldham woman who donated kidney to husband and

Bury man awaiting second kidney transplant support the campaign -

North West celebrities Shobna Gulati, of Coronation Street, Tony Morris, of ITV Granada Reports, and Ricky Whittle, of Hollyoaks, are backing NHS Blood and Transplant’s (NHSBT) new campaign to urge more Black and Asian people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

Currently, 26%[1] of patients awaiting organ transplants in Greater Manchester are from Black and Asian communities, yet these communities account for less than 2%² of people who have signed the ODR.

As part of the campaign, NHSBT will host a special stand at the Halle Square, Manchester Arndale Centre, on Saturday, 4 February, 10.00am-5.30pm, where passers-by can find out more about organ donation and join the Register.

Joining the team will be Shahnaz Ahmed, 50, of Oldham, who donated her left kidney to her husband Alias; and Wajid Iqbal, 33, of Bury, who has been on the waiting list for a new kidney since 2006.

Jane Monks, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation at NHSBT, said: “It is vital that more Black and Asian people join the NHS Organ Donor Register. The message is quite simple – more Black and Asian patients will have the opportunity to receive a life-saving transplant if more people from those communities join the Register.

“Transplants can be carried out between people from different ethnic groups, but an organ is more likely to be a close match, and as a result a transplant is much more likely to be successful, if the donor and recipient have the same ethnic origin. Becoming an organ donor means that you could help save or enhance up to nine lives.”

In July 2011 Shahnaz Ahmed, 50, of Oldham, donated her left kidney to her husband Alias, who had lived with kidney failure for over five years.

Alias, 53, was receiving dialysis and had been on the waiting list for a new kidney for four-and-a-half years when Shahnaz and Alias's son Afzal decided to see if one of them could donate a kidney, so he wouldn’t have to wait any longer.

Shahnaz says: “It was very hard to see my husband’s health deteriorating while he was waiting for a new kidney and it got to the point where I wanted to step in and see if I could donate one of mine.

“Afzal and I went for tests at Salford Royal Hospital to see if we were a match with Alias and unbelievably we both were. I read stories online about other kidney donors who were leading normal, full lives with just one kidney and decided to go for it.”

Some friends and family were concerned that Shahnaz was putting herself at risk, while others were worried that there may be religious issues around organ donation. Shahnaz consulted with several religious scholars who confirmed that there were no problems with donating, and admired her actions.

The operation took place last summer and was a success. Alias, a taxi driver, is making a good recovery and working again. Shahnaz, a part-time tutor of Urdu and English as a second language, is also in good health.

Shahnaz adds: “Ours is an unusual story and not many people donate an organ while they’re alive. I would say my husband and I have an even closer bond with each other now and I don’t regret for one second having donated a kidney to him.

“Unfortunately there are lots more poorly patients on the waiting list for new organs and I’d encourage people to sign the Organ Donor Register so that one day they can help save a life too. There’s a particular need for more people to sign up from the South Asian community.”

Wajid Iqbal, 33, of Bury, has had kidney failure since the age of six.

“Nobody knows why I got ill – it’s just one of those things,” said Wajid. “I went on home dialysis when I was 13 and juggled school with my treatment which I had to have three or four times a day.

“Then, when I was 17 I contracted an infection in my stomach and needed to have haemodialysis, which meant travelling to hospital three times a week for four years. I carried on going to college and trained for an NVQ as long as I could, until it became too difficult to manage.”

Wajid received a kidney transplant in 2001 and all was well for over five years, when sadly the kidney started to fail. His body was producing too many antibodies, and he became dehydrated, meaning the kidney was no longer functioning properly.

The donated kidney was removed and Wajid has been back on dialysis and waiting for another kidney since 2006. Despite his experience, he is an optimistic, positive person keen to make the best of the situation.

He said: “I’m getting on with life and trying not to let my condition affect me too much. I’ve started a course in counselling at Salford University and am on the hospital’s kidney patient committee, supporting other patients by sharing my experiences and acting as a representative with staff.

“Not enough people from the South Asian community are signed up to the Organ Donor Register, even though they’re three times more likely to need a transplant than someone who’s white. It’s a delicate subject but I’ve worked with Muslim Scholars and transplant coordinators to try and tackle some of the religious misconceptions about organ donation.”

Wajid met his wife Shakeela (29) after his transplant and was in better health, and admits that she sometimes struggles to cope with the new situation. However the pair have been greatly helped by a strong circle of family and friends who have offered vital support.

“I was really sporty before my condition got worse and loved swimming, cycling and going to the gym. However now my condition means I can’t do much sport any more, and cycling is completely off the agenda,” he said.

“If you feel that you want to do a good deed then signing the Organ Donor Register is the best thing you can do. Thousands of people out there are waiting for a transplant and are quite unwell. If you sign the Register and tell your family of your wishes, you’ll make a real difference to humanity and that’s the best gift you can give.”

A host of other celebrities including chef Ainsley Harriott, The Apprentice star Tim Campbell, actor Riz Ahemed and actress Pooja Shah are getting behind the campaign, which has seen roadshows held in city centres across the country to highlight the need for more organ donors. The roadshows have already taken place in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Bradford before moving onto Manchester and Leicester. Teams will be visiting shopping centres, churches, temples and supermarkets in a bid to boost Black and Asian numbers on the ODR.

Tony Morris, ITV Granada Reports presenter, said: “I've been on the NHS Organ Donor Register for a number of years and I strongly believe it's something everyone should do. The shortage of donors in Black and minority ethnic communities is a problem that won't go away until people come forward. A few months ago we covered a story on Granada Reports about a little boy who's dying wish was to donate – and his totally selfless gesture meant another five people could live. If I can help just one person in that way I'll be honoured. Please sign up because you could make a real difference"

Offering his support for the campaign, actor Ricky Whittle of Hollyoaks/ Strictly Come Dancing fame said: "Tragically, numerous people die whilst waiting for an organ transplant due to the shortage of donors in the UK. In particular, Black, ethnic and rare blood groups can be forced to wait an average of three years or more to receive a kidney transplant among other life saving operations. I urge you to raise awareness of this shortage. Think about organ donation, think about saving lives. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register today. Encourage family members to honour and respect that decision to ensure the gift of life is passed on. Be the reason loved ones across the UK are given a second chance, wouldn't you want that for yours? You have the power to save lives, make a difference."

Actress Shobna Gulati who plays Sunita in Coronation Street added; “I used to think that organ donation was a difficult decision to make but then I realised you can leave a tangible legacy, and it's actually really straightforward. For our communities, putting your name on that Register could make a real difference. Just do it and encourage your family and friends too – we can all help save lives."

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or www.facebook.com/organdonationuk, call the NHS Donor Line on

0300 123 00 00 or text ORGAN to 64118

MANUFACTURERS, architects, a shopping centre, a hotel, and a higher education institution are all amongst those in the running for the inaugural Greater Manchester Green Business Award.

A broad range of finalists has been unveiled by the award’s organisers, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and ENWORKS, the environmental business support service, after what proved to be a competitive shortlisting process.

The overall winners in the Large Business and Small/Medium Business categories will be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Thursday 8 March, at Manchester Central Convention Complex.

The judging panel with the unenviable task of choosing a winner in each category will be:

• Charlie Parker – Lead Officer, Greater Manchester Environment Commission, and Chief Executive, Oldham Council
• Clive Memmott – Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Mike Blackburn – Chair, Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
• Samantha Nicholson – Programmes Director, ENWORKS
• Todd Holden – Director of Low-Carbon Policy and Programmes, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s trophies are sponsored by the North West Fund for Energy and Environmental, which provides equity finance from £50,000 to £2 million to SMEs based in, or relocating to the North West.

Clive Memmott, the Chamber’s Chief Executive commented: “We had a great response to our call for entries before Christmas and the task of narrowing down the shortlists to six in each category was not an easy one. It has been inspiring to see how many businesses and organisations in Greater Manchester are already taking significant steps to embed environmental sustainability throughout their operations.

“This new award gives us the perfect platform for celebrating forward-thinking organisations in Greater Manchester that really understand the business case for becoming more resource efficient.”

The Greater Manchester Green Business Award 2012 finalists are:

Small/Medium Business (less than 250 employees):

Baerlocher UK Ltd

EOC UK Ltd

Jury’s Inn Manchester

Kleen Strike

Melbourne Server Hosting

Pozzoni LLP

Large Business (250+ employees):

City Response Ltd

Great Places Housing Group

Sheppard Robson

Stagecoach Manchester

The Trafford Centre Ltd

The University of Manchester

Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available:
- From the web at or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.
Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT residential landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).

DaDaFest 2012, the UK’s largest Disability and Deaf Arts Festival, has scooped this year’s prestigious £10,000 Lever Prize award. 

DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts, who organise DaDaFest, became the seventh organisation to receive the annual accolade.  DaDaFest will be taking place in Liverpool from 13^th July – 2^nd September 2012.

The Lever Prize, launched seven years ago, has successfully revived the philanthropic traditions of the industrial past, embodied by soap magnate and patron of the arts, William Lever, after whom it is named.  Each year it is judged by the North West Business Leadership Team, which comprises senior representatives of the 30 largest companies, in partnership with Arts & Business North. 

The award is not just for arts groups, but buildings, events, festivals, libraries and archives are all eligible.  In addition to the cash prize the award opens the door to a yearlong collaboration with the region’s top business leaders.   A high profile example of how working with the NWBLT has benefited winners was when in 2008 the Lever Winner had a Virgin Pendolino train named after it – “Tate Liverpool”.  A more practical approach was needed when 2011 Winner, The Whitworth Art Gallery, found storage provided by Manchester Airport for 15 pallets of historically significant wallpaper which would otherwise have been lost to the region.

Accepting the award, Ruth Gould, CEO of DaDa said "We are delighted the NWBLT have acknowledged the unique work DaDaFest does in representing disability and deaf culture in the North West and internationally. The award and resulting creative collaborations with NWBLT members will allow us to present an even more relevant and enticing Festival later this year.”

Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive of NWBLT responded ”DaDa’s success in landing the 2012 Lever Prize is a truly outstanding achievement, having beaten off an extremely impressive range of the North West’s other well-known arts organisations to win this major accolade.  The business leaders look forward to working with the DaDa team and making a real difference to this ground-breaking festival for deaf and disabled arts.”

Previous winners include Liverpool Biennial in 2006, Manchester International Festival in 2007, TATE Liverpool in 2008, The National Football Museum in 2009, FutureEverything in 2010 and The Whitworth in 2011.

Pictured above, left to right, Gary Timperley, DaDa Chair, Routh Gould, DaDa Chief Executive recieving the Lever Prize Trophy from Paul Lee, NWBLT's Chair and Geoffrey Piper, NWBLT's Chief Executive. 

GROWTH-HUNGRY businesses looking to cut costs and improve their productivity will now be able to access free support from the award-winning ENWORKS environmental support service, after it teamed up with the newly launched Business Growth Hub.

ENWORKS already provides hands-on, practical support to thousands of businesses across the North West, to boost profitability by improving their management of key resources such as energy, fuel, water and materials. In Greater Manchester alone, ENWORKS has helped more than 3,400 businesses to save £41 million and 172,000 tonnes of CO₂e, and to secure sales contracts worth over £82 million. For instance, Manchester’s iconic Midland Hotel is saving over £86,300 a year with ENWORKS’ support.

Samantha Nicholson, ENWORKS Programmes Director, comments: "We’ve been working at the heart of business growth in the region for a decade now, offering free, practical support to help growing companies manage their environmental risks and become more sustainable. We’re excited to be working with the Business Growth Hub now, as it will help us to reach even more businesses and support them to reap the economic and environmental rewards of resource efficiency.”

ENWORKS advises on a wide range of issues that help businesses to become more competitive – from meeting tendering requirements and greening supply chains to minimising environmental risk.  Their support includes on-site reviews to identify efficiency improvements plus ongoing technical support to implement changes, bespoke software to quantify and monitor savings, training and networking events, and information services.

Richard Jeffery, Director of the Business Growth Hub, said: “Businesses today are looking to streamline and reduce any unnecessary spend. Growing companies in particular need to keep their eye on costs as well as focusing on new expansion opportunities and ENWORKS offers a great service that can start companies saving money straight away.”

Since its inception, ENWORKS has helped businesses across the North West to save over £110 million, 521,000 tonnes of CO₂e, 5.8 million m³ of water and 18.8 million tonnes of materials. It has also diverted 301,000 tonnes of waste from landfill. The service has supported more than 11,670 businesses, safeguarded and created 7,490 jobs, and helped to secure sales contracts worth over £230 million.

 ENWORKS support is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the UK Government’s single programme funds, managed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

ENWORKS support can be accessed via Business Growth Hub website www.businessgrowthhub.com by emailing info@businessgrowthhub.com, calling 0161 359 3050, or by visiting www.getsupport.enworks.com.

Crewe (Principal Stations Award)

 Sheila Breeze, Station Manager, Crewe (left)

 David Roberts – Special Guest Retired Managing Director, Roberts Bakery.

Virgin Trains has scooped two top awards in the annual Cheshire Best Station awards, held on 18 January 2012. Both Crewe station (for the fourth year running) and Runcorn station (third year running) won awards this year.

Crewe (Principal Stations Award)

John Hulme, Organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Station, said: “Our Principal Stations Award celebrates Cheshire’s larger railway stations which we know are a challenge to upkeep especially if that station is used by over three million passengers a year. New Station Manager, Sheila Breeze, has certainly stood up to that challenge and it is obvious that Virgin’s elite customer training, matched with a manager that has worked up through the ranks of the company, has played a large part in the success of the station. All this has certainly led to Sheila and her team at Crewe understanding passengers’ needs and requirements.”

Sheila Breeze, Virgin Trains’ Station Manager for Crewe, began her railway career at the station in 1998. Sheila said: "I am delighted that the hard work and enthusiasm of the Virgin Trains’ staff at Crewe have been recognised. We have a great team here and it has been a pleasure to lead them since I became Station Manager a year ago.”

Runcorn (Best Staffed Station Award)



Left to right:

David Roberts – Special Guest and Retired Managing Director, Roberts Bakery

Keith Millard – Station Manager, Runcorn : Cllr Keith Morley – Mayor, Halton Borough Council.

John Hulme said: “Our Best Staffed Station Award is for the staffed station that provides its customers with the best customer experience. Keith Millard and his staff at Runcorn Station should be congratulated on the impeccable service that this busy customer friendly station provides its passengers. Once again, it is clear than Virgin’s investment in its people shines through in the reports we receive from the travelling public.”

Keith Millard, Virgin Trains’ Station Manager for Runcorn, said: "This award is an accolade for my team who pride themselves on providing excellent customer service, which they deliver consistently day in, day out. I am very proud to be part of the team at Runcorn as Station Manager.”

The latest steps in reforms to the employment tribunal system have been unveiled by Employment Relations Minister Edward Davey with the announcement of a pilot scheme for two regional mediation networks for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Cambridge and Manchester will be the first regional mediation networks where the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will fund mediation training for employees from a group of 24 SMEs in each of the pilot areas later this year. A network of trained mediators will be available to provide mediation to other organisations in their respective network. It is anticipated that this will help resolve workplace disputes, at the earliest possible opportunity, before they reach the employment tribunal stage.

Edward Davey said:

“We have always said that employment tribunals should be a last resort for resolving workplace disputes. That is why last year we announced a series of measures which offer alternatives when dealing with such problems.

“Mediation offers an informal method of dispute resolution and can be used at the point when problems first arise in the workplace. For both employers and employees it can mean avoiding the need for formal discipline and grievance procedures. And it can also mean avoiding the time-consuming, complex and often stressful employment tribunal process.

“We want to help employers and employees to help themselves. In particular our consultations showed SMEs are often not aware of the benefits that mediation can bring for both parties. This pilot will directly target this group, help to raise awareness of the benefits and reduce the burden on the tribunal system.”

The intention to pilot two regional mediation networks was published in the Government response to the Resolving Workplace Disputes consultation. The pilots will run for 12 months and, if successful, the Government will consider introducing them into other areas of England, Scotland and Wales.

An open tender to deliver the mediation training for prospective candidates has been published today and can be found on the ‘Contracts Finder’ website. http://www.contractsfinder.co.uk/

The Government response to the ‘Resolving Workplace Disputes’ consultation can be found at http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/resolving-workplace-disputes. The ‘Resolving Workplace Disputes’ consultation was launched on the 27 January and closed on 20 April 2012.

NEW SCHEMES

A595 junctions
Work is currently underway to upgrade traffic lights with new energy-saving LED signals. The traffic lights at junctions along the A595 as well as at pedestrian crossings are being replaced in a rolling programme which is due for completion on Friday 3 February. The work will involve some lane closures with traffic from each direction taking it in turn to travel through the roadworks. The majority of work will be carried out during the day between 9.30am and 4.00pm but there will be some weekend work at the Westlake and Hensingham junctions involving three way temporary traffic lights.

M6 Junctions 40 and 41

There will be 50mph speed limits along the M6 around Penrith from Monday 23 January to Thursday 1 March while routine bridge maintenance is taking place. From Monday 23 January to Saturday 10 February, restrictions will be in place through Junction 40 and for a mile each side, alternating between the Northbound and Southbound carriageways. The same arrangements will be in place through Junction 41 from Saturday 10 February until Thursday 1 March.

A595 Mirehouses to Westlakes
Carriageway repair work will take place on the A595 between Mirehouses and Westlakes from Monday 23 January to Friday 27 January. During the works temporary traffic lights will be in place.

ONGOING SCHEMES

A590, Ulverston to Lindal-in Furness
Work is taking place to upgrade traffic lights at five locations on the A590 between Ulverston and Lindal-in-Furness. The existing lights are being replaced by new energy-saving LED signals, which will be more visible to drivers in bright, sunny conditions and should require less maintenance. Temporary traffic and pedestrian crossing lights will be installed, so that people can continue to cross the road safely. There will be some lane closures with traffic from each direction taking it in turns to travel through the roadworks. The project is being carried out during the day between 9.30am and 4pm, to avoid peak hours, and is due to be completed by the end of January.

M6 Junction 18
There will be overnight lane closures in both directions between Junctions 17 and 18 on the M6 and overnight closures of the sliproads at Junction 18 for routine maintenance work. The closures will take place from 10pm to 5am and signed diversions will be in place during these times. The work is scheduled for completion by 27 January 2012.

M62 Junctions 9 – 11 and M6 Junction 21a
A project is underway to improve drainage, lighting, barriers and surfacing on the M62 from Junctions 9 to 11, and on the M6 at Junction 21a. The work is being carried out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a 50mph speed limit in place. During the current phase of the work the eastbound carriageway will be closed between Junction 10 at Croft Interchange and Junction 11 at Birchwood between 10pm and 5am each night. The slip roads from the M6 north and southbound carriageways at Junction 21 onto the eastbound M62 will be closed each night from 8pm. Signed diversions will be in place during these times. When the central reservation barrier work has been completed, a 50mph speed restriction will remain in place for safety reasons while work is carried out on the hard shoulder. The scheme is scheduled for completion in Spring 2012.

M53 Junction 1, Bidston Moss
There will be various lane closures in both directions at Bidston Moss Viaduct for bridge repairs. Work continues until the end of March 2012.

M53 Junctions 4 – 9, Wirral
There are four miles of roadworks running from south of Junction 4 at Bebington to just beyond Junction 9 at Ellesmere Port. A 50mph speed limit is in place on all lanes while essential bridge repairs are carried out on the Eastham Viaduct at Junction 5, and safety work, including a new barrier, takes place between Junctions 8 and 9 at Ellesmere Port. The work requires occasional lane closures and periods of contraflow. Alternate overnight carriageway closures will be in place for short periods during the middle and end of the scheme for the installation and removal of traffic management equipment. Clearly signed diversions will be in place at all times. The scheme is due for completion by 11 February 2012.

LOCAL AUTHORITY SCHEMES WHICH AFFECT HIGHWAYS AGENCY ROADS

A590, Prince’s Street and Victoria Road Junctions
There will be day time lane closures along the A590 while work is underway to renew traffic signal equipment on connecting county roads. The closures will be between 9.30am and 4.00pm on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 January at the the junction with Prince’s Street, and 9.30am to 4.00pm from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 January at Victoria Road Junction.

UTILITY WORKS WHICH AFFECT HIGHWAYS AGENCY ROADS

A590 Ulverston to Greedodd
BT are currently undertaking works on the A590 between Ulverston and Greenodd. Traffic lights will be in place between 9.30am and 3.30pm until Wednesday 25th January.

Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available:
- From the web at or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.
Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT residential landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).