Businesses back call for improvements on ‘unsafe’ A1 in Nottinghamshire
Drivers are avoiding one of the East Midlands’ major roads and businesses are spending hundreds of pounds on vehicle maintenance due to its poor condition, according to a new survey of the A1 by Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM).
Congestion, poor road conditions and signage, junction safety and accidents are the major concerns of the 1,100 people and businesses surveyed around Newark, Retford, Worksop, Stamford and Grantham.
More than 60% of 1,000 drivers surveyed felt unsafe travelling on the A1, with nearly half reporting either being in an accident on the road themselves, or knowing someone who had. More than 70% say they have avoided travelling on it.
Parliament has been told that there have been 27 deaths on the A1 in the East Midlands between 2015 and 2020, and more than 200 incidents where it had to be closed – sometimes for hours on end.
Of 100 businesses surveyed by TfEM, all have had to pay for maintenance or repairs due to the road’s condition, with more than 60% saying they have paid between £300-£1,000. Nearly all reported changing the way they operate to accommodate the road’s condition, such as planning different routes, hiring drivers experienced in using the A1, and carrying out risk assessments.
The A1 is the UK’s longest road and a nationally significant freight artery linking Scotland, the North, and the Midlands with London and the South East.
It also plays a key role in the East Midlands economy, particularly for the agri-food, logistics, manufacturing and tourism industries. Up to 100,000 homes and employment growth are also planned along the A1 corridor in the region.
Several sections of the road have already been upgraded to A1M motorway standard through Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and parts of the North East. However the 72-mile stretch that serves 1.9 million people between Stamford in Lincolnshire and Worksop/Retford in Nottinghamshire remains an unlit dual carriageway with no CCTV monitoring.
Some of the A1’s entry and exit lanes in the East Midlands are short and – unlike motorways – there are also crossing points where vehicles can drive directly across carriageways.
The surveys’ findings follow research published by Midlands Connect earlier this month, which found that delays on this part of the A1 are costing the regional economy around £1.75m every year – equating to commuters losing around £1,400 every day and HGV drivers losing just under £514,000 a year.
Sir Peter Soulsby, Chair of TfEM and elected Mayor of Leicester, said: “This survey adds the voices of local people and businesses to the mounting evidence that the A1 is not fit for purpose in the East Midlands.
“In the past few years, there have been 27 fatal accidents on this stretch of the A1 – significantly higher than average for an A-road dual carriageway – and more than 200 road closures, some of which have lasted up to 10 hours. This is an appalling human cost and unacceptable.
“While the forthcoming National Highways safety work to improve the road’s lane markings and signage is very welcome, what we really need is a more strategic approach to enhancing the route to improve reliability and resilience and bring the A1 in the East Midlands up to a standard that reflects its national and regional economic role.”
Improving the safety and reliability of the A1 is one of Transport for the East Midlands’ and Midlands Connect’s shared priorities for the region’s cities and counties.
Political leaders across the East Midlands are supporting TfEM’s call for action. Alicia Kearns, the MP for Rutland and Melton, who also chairs the A1 Group of MPs, said: “As I have made clear in parliament, the A1 is failing us as a critical economic artery. It has also taken a heart-breaking toll on people’s lives and the concerns these surveys highlight about the road’s safety should set alarm bells ringing.
“This is an ‘A’ road with sub-standard junctions and right turn movements, accident blackspots and a lack of resilience or alternative routes during closures. Critically, there is also a lack of safety technology, including CCTV and even SoS telephones, so those in danger are unable to get the help that they need.
“As a matter of urgency, we need to see a clear plan to address these concerns. Too many people have lost their lives on the A1, and the toll it is taking on businesses and communities is unacceptable. Its safety infrastructure must be raised to a higher standard.”
Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Newark’s position on the A1 and A46 means it’s in a great economic position with links to the north, south, east and west and a safe and a reliable transport network is enormously important to our residents and local businesses.
“The Council has been raising safety concerns regarding the A1 for some time, particularly with traffic queuing to get off the A1 onto the A46 and into Newark. Accidents on the A1 can quickly cause gridlock in Newark and there is a clear case for upgrading the safety infrastructure on the A1 and ensuring people feel safer and delays and congestion are better managed.
“If people are seeking alternatives to the A1 because they feel it’s unsafe, or businesses are spending lots on repair bills when they use it, that is a significant cause for concern.”
Cllr Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, added: “The A1 is a hugely important artery for our whole region, and hasn’t really been fit for purpose for a long time. Investment in bringing this road up to motorway-levels of safety infrastructure would be most welcome, and the survey demonstrates the strength of local concerns.
“The quality and capacity limitations of the A1 could hold back our economy, too. Major investments such as the £20bn STEP Fusion project – developing a world-first fusion power plant near the A1 at Retford and bringing in a huge amount of inward investment to the region – will not be able to deliver the maximum benefit to local people without these infrastructure improvements.
“Government’s commitment to investment here would be very beneficial.”
The campaign to improve the A1 in the East Midlands is also being supported by business and transport organisations nationally and regionally, including the Road Haulage Association, which represents thousands of businesses in the road transport industry.
James Barwise, the RHA’s Policy Advisor, said: “It’s unacceptable that there have been 27 deaths on the A1 in the East Midlands between 2015 and 2020, and more than 200 incidents where it had to be closed. Something has gone badly wrong when a third of drivers are saying they avoid driving on one of our most important roads because they’re worried for their own safety.
“Improving our roads is absolutely vital in connecting our cities and improving our economic productivity, but never more so when it’s needed to save lives.”
The importance of a resilient transport network in the East Midlands has also been highlighted in a new East Midlands All Party Parliamentary Group Report. It calls for greater certainty on the delivery of major infrastructure projects in the region following an inquiry into the social and economic opportunities of investment, in the wake of the cancellation of HS2 to the East Midlands and the Government’s publication of ‘Network North’.
EY appoints new UK insurance leader
EY has appointed Martina Neary as its UK insurance leader, joining the UK financial services leadership team to lead across general insurance, life and pensions and specialty insurance.
In addition to her new role, Martina will remain as the financial services Midlands leader for all sectors and service lines and continue to focus on her portfolio of clients.
Martina joined EY in 2016 as a partner in the CFO advisory business. In 2020, she stepped into the role of EY’s UK financial services Midlands leader, and in 2021 she also became EY’s UK life and pensions insurance leader. Prior to joining EY, she spent fifteen years with KPMG.
Martina takes over the role of UK insurance leader from Rodney Bonnard, who led the UK insurance business since 2015, overseeing double digit year-on-year growth during that period. Rodney remains a core part of EY’s UK financial services leadership team and continues his role as UK financial services markets leader.
Commenting on Martina’s appointment, Anna Anthony, UK financial services managing partner at EY, says: “I am delighted to see Martina take on the role of UK insurance leader. Her progression into this role reflects the instrumental contribution she has made to EY’s UK life and pensions business, and valued leadership of the UK financial services business in the Midlands.
“Just as it did under Rodney’s leadership, I know EY’s insurance practice will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the sector and delivering excellence for our clients.”
Martina Neary adds: “The insurance sector is at a pivotal moment. Firms are facing a number of economic headwinds including sustained cost and inflationary pressures, increased competition for customer assets, and at the same time, are embracing a growing appetite – again driven by customers – for digital transformation across the industry.
“While it’s a challenging time, it’s one filled with opportunity, and I’m thrilled to be leading this team as it continues to support our clients.”
Council reveals future office plans
Plans to bring more council teams together into a central office and make further improvements to customer service offerings at localities across West Northants are set to move forward in the year ahead.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is progressing proposals to relocate the majority of its office workers to its base in One Angel Square (OAS), Northampton.
The move follows a thorough review which identified the Council has significantly more office space than it requires, along with a need to change how it uses its buildings to better support residents.
Council staff currently based in the modern part of the Guildhall in Northampton and some teams currently working from The Forum in Towcester will relocate to OAS in stages during 2024 and early 2025, and Northampton’s One Stop Shop will also move from the Guildhall to the lower ground floor of OAS.
The Council will retain the older, historic Guildhall and it will continue to house the Coroner’s Office, committee and meeting rooms.
The plans follow the relocation of services from Lodge Road, Daventry in the summer, and development of the nearby Abbey Centre into a locality hub including Adults, Children’s and other frontline WNC services joining community and voluntary partners.
Cllr Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Changes to the way we work and how we deliver our services mean we have a lot more office space than we need, so it makes real sense for us to review our buildings and it’s what taxpayers would expect us to do.
“Bringing more of our colleagues together into a central Northampton office will enable us to collaborate and innovate to deliver better services for all our residents. As we continue moving towards our commitment to become net zero by 2030, it will also help us reduce our carbon footprint as well as our running and maintenance costs to improve value for money for our residents.”
Once services have relocated from the modern part of the Guildhall during 2024 and 2025, the Council will be looking at disposal options for these surplus offices as it seeks to achieve efficiency savings for taxpayers. The historic part of the Guildhall is not included in these proposals.
Northampton Town Council will continue to operate from the old part of the Guildhall under the current lease arrangements which run until April 2025. WNC will then require the space to accommodate its committees, meetings and other services and will be working with the Town Council to explore suitable alternative locations for the authority when the current lease ends.
Lincolnshire entrepreneur overcomes cancer setback to win national award
Lincolnshire entrepreneur Kirsty Gale, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, has been crowned Businessperson of the Year at the SME National Business Awards 2023 at Wembley Stadium.
Kirsty (43), founder & CEO of the UK’s largest dress specialists Red Carpet Ready, was chosen from thousands of entries by a national panel of judges and was presented with the award at a prestigious ceremony on 1st December 2023.
After leaving school at 16 with only a handful of qualifications, Kirsty started Red Carpet Ready in 2013 without any outside financial support or investment and has achieved impressive year-on-year growth.
Despite difficult trading conditions, the company is on track to achieve a record turnover of £1.6m – an increase of 14% on last year – and was recognised as one of the UK’s fastest growing female-led companies in this year’s E2E Female 100.
Winning Businessperson of the Year is the latest in a long list of accolades Kirsty has achieved and is even more remarkable given that she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in October.
She recently underwent an emergency lumpectomy and is facing an intensive course of radiotherapy but said her diagnosis has been a catalyst to achieving even greater success.
“I was absolutely thrilled to win Businessperson of the Year as it’s been a really tough year for me personally and I was up against some of the UK’s top male and female entrepreneurs,” explained Kirsty.
“Being told I have cancer was devastating and I was worried about the future as I have an 11-year-old daughter who needs her mum, as well as a business to run, but I am determined not to let it defeat me.
“Instead, I’ve tried to turn something negative into a positive and used it to fuel my ambition. Becoming a market leader is hard work but staying on top is even more of a challenge, which is why I’m constantly striving to lead from the front and exceed customer expectations.
“I’m a strong believer in bricks and mortar; Red Carpet Ready is a shopping destination and we attract thousands of customers from all over the UK every year to our venue which has five luxury showrooms and over 3,500 different styles, all under one roof.
“We’re open seven days a week and provide exceptional levels of customer service to give people an experience they’ll remember for years to come. I also design our own dress label, RCR Exclusives, which is manufactured globally and is by far our bestselling brand.
“Despite facing further treatment I’m full of optimism for 2024 and what we can achieve. I hope my story can inspire others to start their own business; you don’t need to have qualifications or be an expert, but you do need to have the vision and drive to succeed.”
A spokesperson from the SME National Business Awards said: “This year we have had a record number of entrants into the SME National Business Awards. Reaching the finals is a huge achievement in itself, especially considering the wealth of talent and the calibre of entrants for 2023.
“The Businessperson of the Year award is one of our most highly sought after categories, so to take home the gold trophy is a testament to Kirsty’s hard work and determination. We are pleased that her efforts have been recognised and awarded at a national level.”
Historic city centre pub sold in Derby
Acting on behalf of Telereal Trillium, the landlord, Tom Wragg of FHP has sold 27 Iron Gate, Derby, formerly known as The Thomas Leaper, to Amber Taverns.
The public house formerly known as the Thomas Leaper is located in the heart of Derby’s leisure circuit and was brought to the market by FHP shortly after the Wetherspoons closure of the venue in February 2023.
Tom Wragg, associate director, said: “I am massively pleased that we were able to get this deal over the line as there was a lot of moving parts in negotiating a surrender of the Wetherspoons lease and agreeing the sale with Amber Taverns.
“I feel this is an important deal for Derby, bringing a major operator into the city who are a great addition to the vibrant leisure circuit and will coincide well with the forthcoming improvements to the area.”
Sam Frankland of Amber Taverns added: “Amber Taverns are excited to be opening a site in Derby. Our search for the right site in the city has been a long one, but we are really pleased to have secured such a great looking property in the heart of Derby’s licensed circuit.
“We will undertake a full refurbishment in 2024 and our new venue will be called, The Iron Ram. This will be Amber Taverns 167th site, and we have a strong pipeline for 2024, with our next opening being The Railway in Caerphilly due to open in early December.”
Green energy support scheme for entrepreneurs wins national award
A fund operated by the University of Derby and Derbyshire County Council to support organisations to develop green energy and carbon reduction schemes has won a national award.
The Green Entrepreneurs Programme, a £2 million grant fund open to individuals and organisations looking to invest in and develop projects that support the drive towards the UK’s target of net zero carbon by 2050, was named Sustainability Innovation Champion – Organisation category at the Innovation Awards, organised by the Technology Supply Chain.
Among the organisations which have benefitted from funding is the Arkwright Society Ltd, which received a £198,000 grant towards reinstating renewable hydro energy at Cromford Mills. The project has also been backed by the Severn Trent Community Fund and businesses, including Vaillant.
Mark Wheddon, head of delivery, innovation and research at the University of Derby, said: “We are delighted to win this award in recognition of our partnership with Derbyshire County Council that supports so many innovative projects in the county as we move towards net zero carbon.
“It is inspiring to see the resourcefulness and creativity of individuals and organisations here in Derbyshire, and it is rewarding to be able to contribute towards initiatives that are making a real difference to our sustainable future.”
Councillor Tony King, the county council’s cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, said: “We recognise the contribution our business community can make towards meeting our target of becoming a net zero county by 2050.
“We’re proud that through the Green Entrepreneurs Programme and our partnership with the University of Derby, we’ve been able to support local firms to develop green energy and cut carbon emissions as part of our net-zero ambitions.”
Dr Richard Fallon, chief executive of the Technology Supply Chain, said: “The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward innovation across the UK and internationally.
“Our winners are considered best-in-class, and it is a pleasure to celebrate their achievements. This is a great win for the work done by the University of Derby in supporting SMEs in their region with much needed green innovation.”
Ali gets seat on the Board at UKATA
The Chesterfield-based United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association has appointed of Ali Rees (Evans) to its Board of Directors.
As director, Ali will use her skills in business, HR, organisational development, and performance management to support UKATA to move forward and maintain its status as a leading trade association.
She said: “I’d like to thank UKATA for giving me this opportunity. I am very much looking forward to working with them in our collective aim of ensuring effective management of asbestos in the UK through positive training solutions”.
UKATA COO Craig Evans said: Ali has always been very supportive of UKATA, and we very much look forward to working with her more closely.”
Ali’s role as a learning and development professional for the last 22 years has given her significant insight and experience in ensuring all learning interventions are effective and provide valuable return on investment. Since working in local authority, Ali has been delivering asbestos training and creating a pool of resources to assist with duty holder responsibilities for a portfolio of 600 premises and 100 housing stock.
The Board is made up of elected individuals from the membership of the association, and whose function is to provide strategic direction and governance.
UKATA Directors have a responsibility to understand the environment in which the association is operating and to lead the association in fulfilling its purpose as effectively as possible with the resources available.
Passionate about keeping individuals safe, Ali’s dedication comes from her personal experience of losing a family member and work colleague to mesothelioma.
Leicester’s Grand Hotel on the brink of historic refurbishment
Leicester-based Hickman & Smith Architects and specialist contractors Trinity are to work together on the £900,000 project to rejuvenate the city’s Grand Hotel.
The Grade II listed building in Granby Street in the city centre is set to be repaired and restored as part of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zones.
As part of a major programme of improvements now under way, the shopfronts that line the Granby Street façade of the hotel will be reinstated as close to the building’s original design as possible, using sustainable hardwood and toughened glass.
Recessed doorways will be fitted with bespoke iron gates, and new signage will be introduced, in keeping with the building.
There will also be improvements made to the hotel’s entrance, with cleaning and repairs made to the oriel windows and balcony. Work to restore the existing canopy above the entrance is also planned.
Work is expected to take around five months to complete and will be supported as part of the city council’s successful bid for £1.5million towards a High Street Heritage Action Zone for the Granby Street and Church Gate conservation areas.
Andrew Pring, asset and investment director at the building’s owners Jupiter Hotels said: “We are pleased to be working with both Historic England and Leicester City Council to restore the façade of the hotel on Granby Street close to the original design. This will be the first stage of further significant investment in the hotel, with plans to upgrade the internal areas of the hotel in 2024.”
David Hickman, director and architect at Hickman & Smith, said: “We’re excited to be working with a great team on this project and to help deliver the restoration of traditional features to the Grand Hotel shopfronts. As a local practice, the opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the Granby Street Conservation Area is a very exciting prospect.
“This project offers a fantastic opportunity to make a long lasting and positive visual impact that will improve the character of the conservation area on this principal route into the city centre from Leicester Station, whilst raising awareness of the benefits of conservation.”
Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on climate, culture and the economy, said: “The restoration of the Grand Hotel’s historic street-level frontages is good news for Granby Street and the city centre.
“The Grand Hotel is a fine example of Leicester’s Victorian past and the city’s rich architectural heritage. It is a local landmark and has long been considered one of Leicester’s most prestigious hotels. With the support of Historic England, this investment will help to restore the building to its former glory, create a much more attractive street scene, and make the area feel safer and more welcoming to all.
“It will also build on recent work to improve routes along Granby Street and Belvoir Street, and will help further improve the look and feel of this important gateway into the city centre.
“It’s important that we continue to invest in our historic city centre shopping streets to support local businesses, boost the city’s economy and create a place where many more people want to live, work and visit.”
A grant of £700,000 has been awarded towards the cost of the restoration work, which is estimated to cost about £900,000. The hotel owners will contribute £200,000 towards the project.
High Street Heritage Action Zones are areas up and down the country which have been singled out by Historic England for funding support. They encourage local councils, businesses, architects and contractors to work together to bid for funding which can be used to sympathetically restore historic buildings.
Louise Brennan, Regional Director for the Midlands at Historic England, said: “This restoration work will be a welcome step in the revitalising of this wonderful area of Leicester. The Grand Hotel is a prestigious building, and we are looking forward to supporting the repair and refurbishment of its street-facing ground floor. Hopefully, this will encourage more people, both tourists and local residents, to step inside to see its fantastic interior and become part of this historic building’s future.”
Gateley RJA strengthens East Midlands residential team with senior appointments
Gateley RJA, the specialist quantity surveying, project management and clerk of works arm of professional services group, Gateley, has strengthened its residential team with two senior appointments in Leicester and Nottingham.
James Frost has been appointed as a senior quantity surveyor at the Kibworth Harcourt office. He previously held roles with Summers-Inman and Gleeds, bringing 12 years of construction experience to the team.
In his role at Gateley RJA, Frost will deliver key quantity surveying and employer’s agent services, as well as driving process efficiencies within the residential team, including a strong focus on cost planning and due diligence.
Casey Harper joins the West Bridgford office as a senior project manager. Harper brings 12 years of construction, residential development and commercial property management experience to the team following appointments with Beyond Consult, Trent & Dove Housing and Nottingham City Homes.
At Gateley RJA, Harper will support residential and affordable housing clients with the delivery and completion of design and build contracts, as well as developer agreements.
Both appointments will bring a strong strategic focus to the consultancy’s residential services offering, as well as leading on the development and management of their respective teams.
Hardeep Kooner, director of residential at Gateley RJA, said: “We pride ourselves on our strong client relationships and the delivery of outstanding services on projects.
“James and Casey both have a wealth of construction and property experience which will bolster our strategic management team and play a core part in strengthening our residential offering.
“Both appointments will make brilliant additions to our team, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their careers progress.”
Intercede secures contract with large US federal agency
Intercede, the specialist in digital identity, credential management and secure mobility, has secured a major new contract win with a large US federal agency, with an aggregate value in excess of $8m.
The order means that the Lutterworth-based group now expects financial performance to be significantly ahead of market expectations for FY24.
Intercede sees the contract as “an exceptional order and deemed ‘one-off'” due to the large number of perpetual licences purchased.
The new customer contract was secured after a “rigorous selection process,” and work will commence immediately to replace the customer’s existing, separate legacy platform with the group’s MyID Credential Management Solution (CMS).
Intercede believes that this new relationship has the potential to develop further as the group’s solutions roll out across hundreds of locations.
Klaas van der Leest, CEO, said: “We are delighted with this new customer win in the US which underlines both our product leadership and our ability to strategically partner with the key system integrators in this market. During the bid cycle, MyID CMS was represented in multiple tenders again highlighting the markets’ confidence in the software.
“We look forward to a productive and deepening relationship with our teaming partners and new federal customer. It is a testament to the hard work of the group’s employees to achieve this landmark contract win. Whilst we are conscious of the exceptional nature of this order our pipeline remains strong and we are confident about the group’s future prospects.”
