Latest news with #DBR
Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Times
Anger at parliament's £10m front door that doesn't work properly
It should have been an open and shut case: installing a new front door to help make the House of Lords more secure. Yet peers have described the project as 'a complete white elephant and a disaster': the bill has ballooned to £9.6 million and the door still does not open properly. In March 2022, when the project was approved, it was expected to cost £6.1 million. Contractors began an upgrade of the peers' entrance, one of the doors to the Palace of Westminster, just off Abingdon Street, in 2023. Two years later, it still requires a member of staff to be present around the clock to press a button to open it. The Lords said the refit was so expensive because it included 'significant structural and groundworks both inside and outside the Palace, as well as the diversion of below-ground services'. The costs rose sharply due to 'changes to the planned working pattern of the project to minimise disruption to the House', technical problems caused by the discovery of buried historic vaults in the Unesco world heritage site, and rescheduling due to unplanned ceremonial events. The redesign has been done by DBR, a company that specialises in building restoration, and which removed the graffiti from Sir Winston Churchill's statue in Westminster and helped to restore the roof of Blenheim Palace near Oxford, where Churchill was born. Last week, peers made clear their displeasure at the rising cost and the fact that the door was unfit for purpose, recently leaving a member who uses a wheelchair unable to get inside. 'I suspect that the costs of the front door make it one of the most expensive front doors in the world, and it is a front door that does not work,' Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, 70, who served as a minister in John Major's cabinet, said in the Lords recently. 'I do not wish to … underestimate the difficulties of dealing with a historic building of this kind, but it is simply not acceptable that public money should be spent in this way with such disastrous consequences … It is a complete white elephant and a disaster.' Peers have made clear their displeasure at the rising costs and the fact that the door is unfit for purpose AARON CHOWN/POOL PHOTO/AP ALAMY Forsyth added that peers had said the redesign would not work. 'Various members from all sides of the House protested [that]… it would result in people having to queue outside to get in and they would therefore be more vulnerable,' he said. 'We were told that no, it had been carefully designed and the system had been looked at, but we now discover that we need somebody permanently there to press the button to open the door.' The Labour peer Lord Berkeley, 85, said that he had been informed that this was the first time such a design had been used. 'Why should we be guinea pigs?' he asked. 'We believe in precedent here for a large number of different things, but not in being a guinea pig for a kind of door that clearly does not work. Portcullis House has doors that seem to work all right. Did no one test it first? On the question of professional indemnity, is anyone going to be found to be at fault here?' The leader of the Lords, Baroness Smith of Basildon, responded: 'On the door itself, there are two issues, cost and operability. It is completely unacceptable that we have a door that does not operate as it should. It is important that we are secure, so the costs of the door are very high. It is not just the security issue but also the heritage issue.' Forsyth said the Lords authorities had repeatedly refused to tell members the total cost of the door until now, claiming that doing so could help terrorists plotting attacks. Improving security at the peers' entrance was one of a number of recommendations put forward in a review that followed the Westminster terror attack in 2017. Sir Jon Murphy, the former chief constable of Merseyside police, was asked to look at ways to tighten perimeter security. The House of Lords said: 'The work at peers' entrance is an important project as part of our commitment to ensure the safety and security of everyone who works on and visits the parliamentary estate. We are working with our contractors to address and resolve ongoing issues with the door at Peers' Entrance, at no extra cost to the public.'
BBC News
13-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Scaffolding removal to reveal 200-year-old Brighton church tower
A 200-year-old church tower which has been shrouded in scaffolding for 11 years will soon be Peter's Church in York Place, Brighton, has been undergoing internal restoration since 2009 and scaffolding was erected in 2014 to restore the tower's work is nearing completion and it is hoped the framework can be dismantled by the end of the £3m project has restored the four clock faces on the tower and much of the stonework, as well as addressing damp and mould issues. 'New lease of life' "It's really exciting, a church of this magnitude, beauty and age needs real care and attention," said Sandy Matthews, project director for the told BBC Radio Sussex: "As the contractors started to work down the building they found more issues, as there often is with a building of this age."The latest phase has taken longer than we hoped, as has the whole project but we've never stopped trying to restore the building. We're in a position now where we can start to reveal some of it. "It's bringing life back to the church and the community."The Diocese of Chichester decided to close the church in 2007 as it was falling into disrepair and had a dwindling it was saved in 2009 and now runs a variety of community events and church services. It welcomes up to 1,000 people through its doors every week. Jack Herniman, contracts manager for construction company DBR, said: "We've worked from the top at the pinnacles, these have either been dismantled or rebuilt."A few elements had to be dismantled for safety if they were at the point where they were beyond repair or saved for a later date."We've also made repairs to the stonework, done a lot of repointing work and a lot of intricate carving work. We've given it that new lease of life."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
D-Link Unveils the New DBR Router & Access Point
Empowering Secure, Seamless Connectivity for Small Businesses TAIPEI, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- D-Link Corporation (TWSE: 2332), a global leader in networking solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest DBR Series, which includes the DBR-600-P and DBR-700 business routers, as well as the DBR-X3000-AP smart access point. This new series delivers powerful, secure, and easy-to-manage networking tailored specifically for small business environments such as startups, retail shops, satellite offices, and educational facilities with fewer than 100 users. With the growing demands of hybrid work and decentralized operations, many small businesses face challenges in establishing a stable and secure network without dedicated IT resources. The DBR Series addresses these challenges by offering streamlined deployment, reliable performance, and centralized management. Each product in the series embodies D-Link's unwavering commitment to high-quality, Made-in-Taiwan craftsmanship, which stands for trusted engineering, meticulous manufacturing, and product reliability. This quality standard reflects Taiwan's globally respected technology ecosystem and reinforces the durability and integrity of the DBR series. DBR-600-P & DBR-700: Smart Routing with Enterprise-Level ReliabilityEquipped with 2.5G WAN/LAN interfaces and robust processors, both DBR-600-P and DBR-700 offer high-throughput, low-latency connections for performance-driven environments. With up to three WAN ports, they provide automatic failover and intelligent load balancing to ensure uninterrupted operations, even during network disruptions. These features allow small businesses to maintain business continuity and optimal bandwidth usage without complexity. The DBR-600-P supports PoE on all LAN ports with a total power budget of up to 123W, enabling direct connection of devices like IP cameras or wireless APs, simplifying deployment while reducing infrastructure cost. The DBR-700 features a fiber port, making it ideal for long-distance connectivity needs such as linking remote areas in hotels or parking lots, ensuring signal strength without the need for additional equipment. Security and remote access are core to the DBR series design. With built-in VPN support for multiple protocols, these routers offer secure, encrypted remote connectivity across devices and branch locations. Whether enabling hybrid work or interconnecting multiple sites, the DBR series ensures business data stays safe and accessible. Additional enterprise-grade security features, including an SPI firewall, IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), and URL filtering, enhance network protection and user productivity. Integrated wireless controller capabilities and a user-friendly web interface allow for centralized management of multiple access points, providing real-time visibility and simplified configuration. DBR-X3000-AP: Next-Level Wireless Coverage and SimplicityAs a seamless extension to the DBR routers, the DBR-X3000-AP features Wi-Fi 6 dual-band connectivity, delivering faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced device handling in high-density environments. With Wi-Fi Mesh support and fast roaming, it ensures consistent coverage and smooth transitions between access points that are ideal for collaborative spaces and mobile workers. Installation is flexible with PoE support and mounting options for both ceilings and walls, optimizing deployment in various commercial or institutional settings. Security remains a top priority, with WPA3 Personal/Enterprise encryption and Guest Wi-Fi isolation, allowing administrators to separate visitor traffic from sensitive internal data with ease. When paired with DBR routers, the access point supports centralized authentication and dashboard-based monitoring, ensuring end-to-end control and visibility. Comprehensive and Scalable Networking for the Modern Small BusinessTogether, the DBR-600-P, DBR-700, and DBR-X3000-AP deliver a comprehensive solution that combines high performance, advanced security, and simplified management. This versatile lineup is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, including retail operations, hospitality venues, classrooms, and satellite offices. Built with scalability in mind, these products are engineered to grow with the evolving needs of today's connected business environments. As a trusted pioneer in networking for over three decades, D-Link continues to uphold its brand commitment to "Made in Taiwan" quality, creative innovation, solution-oriented design, one-stop service, and sustainable development. Through the new DBR Series, D-Link reaffirms its brand spirit of "One Connection • Infinite Possibilities" and remains dedicated to delivering intelligent connectivity that empowers businesses to operate securely, efficiently, and without limits. The DBR series is now available through D-Link's global network of authorized distributors and resellers. For more information about the DBR series, please visit or contact your local D-Link representative. DBR-600-P 1 x 2.5GE WAN 8 x 2.5GE PoE+ LAN (1 x WAN/LAN) PoE power budget up to 123W 1 x USB Port as WAN backup AP Management: up to 10 Smart Access Points (DBR-X3000-AP) DBR-700 1 x 2.5GE WAN 7 x 2.5GE LAN (1 x WAN/LAN) 1 x 2.5GE SFP WAN/LAN AP Management: up to 15 Smart Access Points (DBR-X3000-AP) DBR-X3000-AP Wi-Fi 6 AX3000, up to 3.0 Gbps 2.4GHz/5GHz concurrent dual band 1 x GE PoE LAN Up to 7 SSIDs Central management by the DBR series router About D-Link D-Link, a renowned global brand and leader in the networking industry, was established in 1987 in Taiwan. With operations in 90 locations across 43 countries, D-Link provides networking solutions for individuals, homes, businesses, and industries, including a comprehensive range of industry-leading network solutions and AI-driven cloud management services. Find out more about D-Link at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE D-Link
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New law requires solar retailers to register with the state
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A new state law requires solar retailers to register their businesses with the state in an effort to protect Rhode Islanders from deceptive sales practices. The Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee last summer, requires solar retailers to register both their business and a roster of their representatives soliciting sales in the Ocean State. Solar retailers must also conduct criminal background checks on principal officers and sales representatives, as well as follow municipal restrictions on door-to-door sales and federal telemarketing rules. RELATED: New law aims to crack down on RI's solar industry The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) launched an online portal last week and will be walking solar retailers through the registration process. The DBR has also been given the authority to investigate complaints and improve administrative penalties. In the video above, 12 News consumer reporter Sarah Guernelli has more details on what homeowners need to know. Sarah Guernelli (sguernelli@ is the consumer investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to make sure a contractor is registered with the state
WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Joanne Walsh searched online to find a contractor to build a deck on her home in Warwick. But after she gave the contractor thousands of dollars for the job, he never showed up. Walsh said the contractor seemed reputable online. He took measurements of her property before they entered into a contract. 'He said he will be there in three weeks, and three weeks came and went, and then a month,' Walsh recalled. That's why R.I. Department of Business Regulation (DBR) Director Elizabeth Dwyer and Gov. Dan McKee held a press conference on Wednesday. The state leaders wanted to remind Rhode Islanders to make sure a contractor is registered with the state before hiring them to do work on a home or business. DBR has an online portal where consumers can search a contractor's name, business and license number to make sure they are registered and valid to work. 'We want you to know that the portal has helped many people, and the state has identified many fraudulent contractors trying to hurt Rhode Island consumers,' McKee said. The website also lists any infractions against a contractor who the state has found to have broken the law. Look up a contractor in RI Walsh said if she knew about the online portal, it would have made a huge difference. 'It was like he dropped off the side of the Earth,' she added. Walsh and hundreds of other Rhode Islanders filed contractor complaints with DBR in 2024. According to the state, out of 413 complaints made to the agency, 32 have been resolved either through an agreement or a hearing officer. DBR was able to recover $247,775 for homeowners last year, but a large portion of that money is still in limbo. For example, $111,075 has been referred to the attorney general's office for criminal prosecution, and another portion is going through the appeals process. In total, DBR was able to give back $76,467 directly to consumers from 2024 complaints. RELATED: Irish national charged with defrauding RI, Mass. homeowners Walsh said she feels lucky that the state was able to get her money back. 'One day I go out to the mailbox and here's the check,' she said. For those who want to file a complaint against a contractor, they can do it through DBR's website or call their office at (401) 921-1590. 'We need to understand what was your interactions with the contractor, any documents that were provided to you or that you provided to the contractor,' she said. 'A full understanding of what happened when we get the complaint, we will look at it.' File a complaint about a contractor here Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
