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Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Prestatyn coastal defences completed early and under budget
The Central Prestatyn Coastal Defences Scheme was not due to be finished until the end of 2025, but a small completion ceremony was held today (June 19), and was attended by Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS. A plaque was also unveiled to mark the completion of the project, which includes a new embankment to store storm surge waters and reduce the risk of them reaching Prestatyn's town centre. The Deputy First Minister said the flood defences will be a 'huge benefit' to residents of Prestatyn. He added: 'I'm delighted to be here today, to officially open this amazing coastal protection scheme. 'It's a massive piece of work from Balfour Beatty and Denbighshire County Council, and funded by over £22million of Welsh Government money. 'This is the sort of work we're doing now to tackle climate change and protect these homes and businesses, and to make a beautiful esplanade along the front for tourists to enjoy, as well. 'It's a great piece of work.' Huw Irranca-Davies next to the plaque marking the project's completion. (Image: Newsquest) Balfour Beatty delivered the scheme on behalf of Denbighshire County Council. Additional protective measures include new rock armour at the western end of the scheme, providing erosion protection around the slipway, along with improvements to existing culverts and construction of two new outfall structures. Welsh Government provided 85 per cent (£22.2 million) of the construction funding through its Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP). Denbighshire County Council contributed the remaining 15 per cent, while Welsh Government also fully funded the £1.75m development phase. Cllr Jason McLellan (L), leader of Denbighshire County Council, also attended today's event (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Jason McLellan, Denbighshire County Council leader, attended today's event, and said: 'I want to say thanks to Balfour Beatty. This project has been delivered ahead of time and under budget, and we rarely say that about a big infrastructure project like this. 'I'm here as council leader, but the ward I also represent (Prestatyn North) is literally next door, and I think the community engagement here has been excellent. 'There have been some concerns and push-backs from residents as you would expect, but Balfour Beatty and the team have dealt with them brilliantly.' Huw Irranca-Davies with some of the Balfour Beatty staff who worked on the scheme (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Barry Mellor, the council's lead member for environment and transport, also attended today's completion ceremony, and said: 'Having witnessed the devastating effects of the coastal flooding which hit Rhyl on December 5, 2013, this work is particularly close to my heart. 'The council opened Rhyl Leisure Centre at that time as an evacuation centre due to the severe flooding, and the sight of my residents coming in soaking wet clinging to their loved animals will never leave me. 'I still have residents coming up to me to this day saying how grateful they are as they now can sleep at night without having to worry about their homes flooding. 'So, I'm so pleased to see the completion of this part of the project which will now give peace of mind to the residents of Prestatyn.' The scheme could protect up to 2,700 Prestatyn homes from flooding (Image: Newsquest) As well as protecting the area from flooding, the work created eight new jobs and more than 190 days of work experience was provided for people. The Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme, meanwhile, is set for completion in August or September.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
No right to walk: 60% of Hyderabad lacks footpaths, risks pedestrians' safety
Damaged footpath forces pedestrian to walk dangerously close to moving traffic HYDERABAD: Hyderabad might be an IT hub, but even a basic task like walking remains a herculean challenge, with footpaths missing from over 60% of the city. According to the Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook 2024, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has a road network spanning over 9,000 km, comprising 2,846 km of blacktop roads and 6,167 km of cement concrete stretches. However, official records show that footpaths under GHMC and the Comprehensive Road Maintenance Programme (CRMP) extend to only 1,039 km. When comparing footpath coverage to blacktop roads, which serve as primary thoroughfares, only 36% of the city provides adequate pavements — denying denizens their fundamental 'right to walk.' 'After getting down at Panjagutta metro station, I tried walking towards Banjara Hills. Even covering 2 km seems impossible as there are no footpaths,' said Sandeep Kumar, who works at a private pharma firm. Only 160 km footpath in IT hub As per official records, the western corridor — encompassing Serilingampally and Kukatpally zones — has merely 162 km of footpaths out of the city-wide 1,039 km network. What's more concerning is the imbalance in GHMC-maintained footpath distribution, with 536 km of total coverage unevenly split: 206 km on the right side and 329 km on the left side of roads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo In fact, even the existing footpaths are in poor shape. Along any busy stretch in Hyderabad — whether it's Moosapet–Erragadda, Film Nagar–Jubilee Hills, Paradise– Secunderabad railway station, — it is extremely difficult to walk even 100 metres without encountering obstacles. This is particularly challenging for theelderly and schoolchildren. To add to this, a majority of pavements are encroached upon by street vendors, shopkeepers, and unauthorised parking. Additionally, the uneven and damaged condition of many footpaths forces people to walk on the roads. The situation is especially dire in areas like Tarnaka, where there are no footpaths at all, leaving pedestrians with no choice but to risk their safety by walking on the road. A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court directed states to frame guidelines to ensure proper footpaths for pedestrians, stating that having unobstructed and disabled-friendly footpaths is part of a citizen's fundamental rights. The court noted that in the absence of proper footpaths, pedestrians are forced to walk on roads — a serious matter of concern. 'Will reclaim walking spaces' 'We have initiated Operation ROPE (Removal of Obstructive Parking and Encroachments) to restore pedestrian walkways in the city. Working alongside traffic police, we conduct targeted campaigns to clear footpath obstructions. We remove temporary impediments that create difficulties for the public. These efforts will help reduce traffic congestion and reclaim walking spaces for pedestrians,' said a senior official from GHMC's town planning wing. Times view: It may not be possible to make Hyderabad walkable overnight, but the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation can identify a few key stretches in the city and put in place basic infrastructure to start with. Encroachment and pothole-free footpaths is the bare minimum that can be provided. Municipal authorities must realise that as residents become increasingly aware of health and environmental issues, they will see walking as a right, as the first step towards sustainable living. Preempting this demand is good governance. HUMTA plans continuous footpaths To improve access to bus stops, rail terminals, and metro stations, the Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (HUMTA) has decided to create seamless pavements around Ameerpet, Begumpet, Nampally, and Secunderabad. These uninterrupted walkways will enable commuters to reach their destinations without stepping onto the roads or taking detours. As part of a multi-modal integration plan, HUMTA will construct footpaths extending 500 metres to 1 km, along with dedicated parking facilities for two-wheelers. There are also plans to implement a public bicycle-sharing system, allowing commuters to hire bicycles via a mobile app for convenient last-mile connectivity. 'Our objective is to establish an effective and smooth transit system for passengers. By integrating various transportation hubs and developing suitable infrastructure, we can reduce traffic congestion, support sustainable travel options, and improve the city's transport network. Moreover, the areas nearby will become more conducive for people travelling on foot,' said B Jeevan Babu, managing director, HUMTA. 400 pedestrians killed on Hyderabad roads in 2024 Owing to the lack of access to footpaths — coupled with inadequate zebra crossings, stop lines, and pelican signals — the city has recorded more than 1,000 accidents involving pedestrians. Police records show that Greater Hyderabad registered as many as 1,032 pedestrian-related accidents, resulting in 400 deaths and at least 775 injuries. The total pedestrian deaths in 2023 and 2024 have now surpassed the 700 mark. Road safety experts point out that Hyderabad's road infrastructure primarily caters to motorists, neglecting pedestrian needs. They also note that the recent removal of U-turns across the city has led to wrong-way driving, further endangering pedestrians. 'The elimination of U-turns has created safety concerns for pedestrians, as many motorists resort to wrong-side driving to avoid lengthy detours. The footpaths constructed in certain areas seem to prioritise aesthetics over functionality and safety standards. Moreover, the city suffers from a shortage of pelican signals' said Vinod Kanumala, a road safety expert. Defunct elevators, escalators cause inconvenience Pedestrians are also facing challenges using foot-over bridges (FOBs) due to non-functioning elevators and escalators. As a result, these structures have become largely unusable in high-traffic areas, due to inadequate maintenance by the civic body and private agencies responsible for their upkeep. Dysfunctional lifts at FOBs in busy areas including Gachibowli, ECIL, Erragadda, Dilsukhnagar, and Tarnaka are causing inconvenience to pedestrians. Moreover, FOBs built near GVK One Mall, RC Puram, and Uppal Stadium have remained unused for a long time. The lack of timely repairs is forcing pedestrians to cross roads amidst heavy traffic. While GHMC has constructed over 50 FOBs across its jurisdiction to aid pedestrian movement, many of these facilities frequently face issues with non-functional elevators and escalators. Although GHMC previously announced plans to construct 30 more FOBs, there has been hardly any progress. 'There is a need for proper maintenance of FOBs by civic authorities to ensure safe and accessible infrastructure for pedestrians. When these crucial structures are neglected, it not only puts public safety at risk but also diminishes people's confidence in the administration's ability to manage public infrastructure,' said Harish Daga, a social activist.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
With CRMP on hold, monsoons could bring back potholes for city commuters
Monsoons are around the corner, when the city's best roads could give in under the stress of incessant rains and water stagnation. The threat of potholes and bad patches looms large for the city's commuters, with the State government sitting on the proposals for comprehensive road maintenance programme (CRMP). Three months have passed since the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has submitted the proposals for extension of CRMP for five more years, after approval by the standing committee. The government is yet to take a decision on the same. The CRMP involves participation of private agencies in the road maintenance, which has yielded good results since introduced in 2019-2020. The fresh proposals included more road length than before, and proportionate cost escalation by 50%. During Phase-I of CRMP, over 800 kilometres of major city roads were given out for private maintenance, at an initial estimated cost of ₹1,827 crore for a five-year period, starting from 2020. Though de-silting of stormwater drains, sanitation and greenery too were included in the proposals, the de-silting component was later removed, and mechanical sweeping was included which brought down the expenditure. Officials from the GHMC inform that the final spending on the CRMP Phase-I turned out to be only ₹1,300 crore. However, the fresh proposals cleared by the standing committee place two options before the government. The first option is to bring 744.22 kilometres of road length under CRMP with a total outlay of ₹2,491 crore for the coming five years. Alternatively, the road length may be enhanced to 1142.54 kilometres with a cost estimate of ₹3,825 crore for five years. 'We have included important approach roads apart from the major thoroughfares in the enhanced road length,' an official informed. Besides, the proposals also include de-silting of the stormwater drains and maintenance of greenery, which add up to the cost, he said. The earlier plan involved re-carpeting of 50% of the roads in the first year, 30% in the second year, and 20% in the third. The last two years involved only maintenance of the roads. A few of the contracts came to a close by 2024 year-end, while a couple of others expired in the last week of January. This time, the first two years will include maintenance of the old roads plus re-carpeting of the roads newly taken up, the official informed. Milling and re-carpeting of the old roads would begin from third year, he said. With both the given options portending gaping hole in the treasury pockets, the government is still to take any decision on the proposals. While the Phase-I of CRMP was carried out with the help of borrowings which the GHMC is still paying off, this time, funding has been sought from the government.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
St. Augustine's Magic Beach Motel to be considered for demolition
St. Johns County officials will be meeting this month to discuss whether to allow the demolition of a motel in St. Augustine. The Magic Beach Motel was built in 1951, originally called the Blue Ocean Motel. In December of 2021, the Cultural Resources Review Board in St. Johns County officially designated the location as a 'Significant Cultural Resource.' The building was given the designation partly due to its architecture. It was built by an Italian immigrant, Cesidio Tuccella, in the Late Moderne style. The owners submitted an application in January to have it demolished. Now, the Cultural Resources Review Board will hold a meeting to discuss the idea and possible alternatives. It will be addressed at the meeting on Monday, April 14th at 1:30 P.M. 'In light of the significant cultural resource status of the Motel, staff requested an additional historic survey and mitigation alternatives to address the effect to the historic resource,' states meeting documents. An excerpt from the Cultural Resource Management Plan (CRMP), which will be discussed, provides the following justification for demolition: 'The factors driving demolition and not preservation or rehabilitation of the structure includes rising insurance and financing costs, increasing preferences for larger units with more amenities based on industry-wide standards and functionally obsolete designs and mechanical systems. Additionally, the plan states that the site of the existing buildings is generally low in elevation (Staff: roadway estimated at ~7-8 feet above sea level and structures ~10-feet above sea level) and prone to flooding in extreme conditions such as hurricanes.' It also provided the following statement on how the hotel could contribute to a potential historic district, if not demolished: 'The building is separated from the main concentration of older buildings at the west end of Vilano Road and is surrounded by seven non-historic buildings. In fact, the historic character of Vilano Road has been substantially diminished since first recorded in the Florida Master Site File in 2001 with the demolition of several buildings, the Lazy Sands Bar and Newt's Vilano Motel being examples, and new construction which is of a different scale and mass than the small-scale commercial buildings traditionally located there.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Two alternatives to complete demolition are provided, including relocating or raising the existing structure. The applicant, however, doesn't think it is feasible. The other is to demolish the building, while salvaging and repurposing certain elements to be used in whatever building replaces it, including its iconic flamingo plasterwork and the Magic Beach neon sign. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Roadblocks to Retrofit: Why it's so difficult to get seismic upgrades done
The Nisqually Earthquake was a wake-up call to build stronger buildings across Puget Sound. More than two decades later, experts say we're still not fully prepared. 'We have millions of people living in this area with high seismic hazard,' said Harold Tobin, Director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. 'We're obviously not going to pick up the city and move it somewhere else. So instead, what we have to do is really do the best job we can of constructing for it.' A state database flags hundreds of residential buildings, offices, schools, and even government properties that could be at risk. KIRO 7 spent weeks investigating the roadblocks preventing people from retrofitting. One of the biggest — money. The Seattle Library is one of the lucky ones. The library recently completed retrofit work at its Green Lake Branch and is getting started on a seismic upgrade at the University Branch too. 'The seismic work is generally going to be about $1.5 to $2 million of the budget,' said Tom Fay, Seattle Public Library's Chief Librarian. The University Branch building has been around since 1910. 'We want to make it safe for the future,' Fay said. 'It is actually a very long process. A lot of the work is, 'How are you going to pay for it?'' The library has relied on a 2019 voter-approved Library Levy to help with seismic retrofit work at both branches, as well as the Columbia branch (where project plans are still in the works). The library has also utilized federal grants to help. The University Branch will also undergo renovations to improve accessibility, replace the HVAC system, and improve sustainability and its interior. From design to completion, work at the branch will take about ten years to complete. 'You do worry, are you going to have one of those (earthquakes) and then not have had these projects complete,' Fay said. Costs to retrofit can vary. 'A small building? A couple hundred thousand dollars,' said Ryan Vytlacil, who owns Seattle Seismic, a company dedicated to retrofit work. 'A four- or five-story apartment building, definitely over a million.' It's a price that can be prohibitive for private landlords and individual homeowners, whose costs might be a lot lower. In California, the state has stepped in to help. The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) offers grants and other incentives to qualifying homeowners to retrofit their homes. The program was created by the state's publicly managed earthquake insurance provider, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), and the state's Office of Emergency Services. The median cost of a retrofit project by a homeowner utilizing CRMP's grants is about $5,200, said Janiele Maffei, CEA's Chief Mitigation Officer. The grants provide qualifying homeowners with enough money to perform the basic retrofit work. It's work that can substantially decrease the risk of damage during an earthquake. 'The savings can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,' Maffei said. The CRMP has helped fund just under 29,500 retrofits with its flagship grant program. The grants are paid for using a percentage of the investment income from CEA's Loss Mitigation Fund, which is then leveraged with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. 'Less risk, less need for earthquake insurance, and just all around more resilience for California,' Maffei said. Washington has grants to help schools with retrofit projects, as well as grants to assist commercial historic buildings, but nothing similar for homeowners. The library is lucky, as retrofit work continues. 'These three are just three of seven that ultimately need to be done,' Fay said. Of course, that's just seven in the Seattle Public Library system. Hundreds of buildings outside it need work too. 'There's great engineering practices that we can use to retrofit those buildings to keep them from collapsing,' Tobin said. 'Keep them from having really as substantial damage, and save lives in future earthquakes that we're going to have sooner or later.' And even if your home or office has been retrofitted, there are still other earthquake risks to prepare for. Previous Earthquake Coverage: Earthquake Safety: Preparing for 'The Big One' Neighborhoods isolated? What could happen after a major earthquake
