The first tying-in of existing roads to new roundabouts on Norwich Northern Distributor Road is scheduled to take place under night-time road closures from tomorrow(Friday 16September). The aim isto cut down disruption and achieve a longer-lasting road surface.
Subject to final approval for night working*, Fir Covert Road will be closed for one night from 8pm on Friday 16 September until no later than 6am on Saturday 17th. To complete the tie-in, a further night closure is planned for Friday 30 September. Traffic will be diverted via Drayton High Road,Boundary Road (Norwich ring road) and Reepham Road.
The tie-in of A1067 Fakenham Road to the new roundabout and road realignment will be carried overnight from Tuesday 20 September to Friday 23rd. The road will close at 8pm each night, reopening no later than 6am the next morning. Light vehicles will be diverted (north to south) via the B1145 through Reepham, Reepham Road and Fir Covert Road. HGVs will be diverted (north to south) via the B1535 Weston Hall Road to the Wood Lane junction with the A47, then into Norwich, using Sweet Briar Road (Norwich ring road) to return to Drayton High Road (A1067).
Once complete, A1067 traffic will be moved on to the realigned section and the old road will be broken up, with the material re-used on the NDR.
If carried out under the NDR project’snormal 7am to 7pm working hours* without road closures, the work on these two roundabout tie-ins would take several weeks and have an extended impact upon traffic. Working alongside traffic under lane closures would also lead to multiple joints in the road surface, reducing durability, and would have safety implications for construction workers and road users.
*The working hours on Norwich Northern Distributor Road are set by the Development Consent Order. Any variation has to go through a formal assessment and approval process. This is expected to be concluded today (Thurs), allowing night working as set out above.
Brexit’s long term impact on Norfolk businesses and the rest of the UK is still far from clear. The Prime Minister, Teresa May says “Brexit means Brexit” but what does that really mean for Norfolk businesses?
At present there are no clear answers from the Government. Chamber members are – rightly – focused on the impact of this transition on their own business models and prospects. They also want the Government and Bank of England to deliver stability of markets, clarity on the political timetable for transition, and firm action on those matters that are entirely within Westminster’s gift.
The Chamber network is working hard on behalf of our members to influence the new Department of International trade, and other Ministers, to ensure that the voice of business is clearly heard in these negotiations.
We are calling for 5 key principles to guide the work of the Government in its negotiations on Brexit – as well as any future new trade arrangement – to ensure the best possible outcome for the Norfolk business community and the rest of the UK. These key areas are:
Trade – getting the best possible terms with the EU-27
Labour Market – certainty on the right of their EU workforce
EU Funding – maintain UK access to the European Investment Bank
Regulation – short term stability
Taxation & Customs – a clear transition period and a new UK origin model
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“The majority of Norfolk businesses will be impacted by Brexit in some way. Even if your company does not do business with EU countries, there is a high chance that you have suppliers or partners who do, so there will be a knock-on effect to your business.
“Norfolk Chamber is calling for local businesses to provide case studies and feedback on how Brexit is impacting your organisation, and whether you are having to make changes as a result of Brexit.
“This is also your chance to have your opinion heard on Brexit where it matters – send us your questions and we will ensure, through the Chamber network, they are heard by the people in Westminster who can make a difference.”
At the Chamber’s Bank of England Lunch, held at the Norwich City Football Club, attendees highlighted that at present they were seeing very little impact from Brexit. Tim Pike, the East of England Agent for the Bank of England asked for feedback on whether the businesses had seen a change in demand following the EU Referendum; whether they had altered their investment and recruitment plans; and if those importing raw materials had seen an increase in costs?
Overall,the consensus of the businesses who attended the lunch was that it was ‘business as usual’. However they did express caution for the future, due to the lack of clarity on Brexit.
Peter Foster, Vice President of Norfolk Chamber, who hosted the lunch said: “It is always fascinating to hear from Tim Pike and the feedback from the businesses in the room was positive. It is clear from the discussions that more clarity is needed from the Government in relation to Brexit before businesses can make any major investment decisions. I am looking forward to seeing the next QESresults as to whether the wider business community has similar thoughts.”
The Quarterly Economic Survey results for Quarter 3are due to be published week commencing 10 October 2016.
Norfolk County Council and Balfour Beatty are warning people living in and around Horsford, or who travel through Horsford on their way to Norwich, that travel will be disrupted by closures of the B1149 Holt Road from Monday 3 October to Friday 14 October 2016.
The closures, one either side of the Holly Lane junction with Holt Road, are needed to divert a gas main, water main and irrigation pipe. Attempts to carry out the work under traffic lights in August were unsuccessful because of the depth of the gas main – over 2 metres deep – and the presence of a fragile asbestos cement water main within the road. The scale of excavation needed can only be carried out under full road closures, which will take place as follows:
Monday 3 October to Friday 7 October
Holt Road closed between Horsford village and Holly Lane.
Long peak hour delays are possible on Church Street from its junction with the A140 Cromer Road. Traffic control will be in place at the Church Street/Cromer Road junction to help drivers make the right turn towards Norwich safely. However, A-road traffic will be given priority so delays on Church Street are unavoidable.
Temporary traffic lights will also be used at the Holt Road junction with Church Street. This is mainly to ensure that buses and other large vehicles can make the turn without causing a log-jam. Bus users are advised to check with bus companies for changes in timetables and routes.
Provided works are on schedule, the closure will be lifted for the weekend of 8/9 October.
Monday 10 October to Friday 14 October
Holt Road closed between Holly Lane and the Holt Road/A140 Cromer Road roundabout.
Holly Lane will be available as well as Church Street, but delays are likely on both routes. The right turn out of Church Street into Holt Road will be more difficult in the evenings because northbound traffic will be coming up Holt Road from Holly Lane.
John Birchall, NDR public liaison officer, said: “This road closure is the most difficult we’ve faced. Unfortunately, when we dug down, we found that the gas main was more than two metres deep and very close to a fragile water main. After looking at a number of options our engineers were forced to accept that much bigger excavations, under road closures, were unavoidable.
“It’s not possible to reopen the old Drayton Lane again. We delayed sewer diversion work in August to keep the lane open, but specialist contractors are scheduled to start sewer diversions in the next few days, and any further delay could cause access problems for Horsford later in the contract by holding up construction of the realigned Drayton Lane.
“This leaves Church Street as the only route available to the south of Horsford during the first week. We will have traffic control at the junction with the A140, but it’s bound to be under pressure, particularly during the morning peak.
“We would urge all users of the B1149 Holt Road to allow extra time for journeys, avoid peak hours and use alternative routes if possible.”
Norfolk County Council and Balfour Beatty apologise for the disruption these unavoidable closures will cause.
Last week was a successful one for Norfolk businesses that took part in the Eastern heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2016.
In the same year that they celebrate their 50th anniversary, we were ecstatic to hear that MLM Multidisciplinary Consulting had been victorious in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ Eastern heat!
Loma Kanu, MLM Multidisciplinary Consulting, said: “Our Norwich Office entered the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards and we were delighted to have been awarded Regional winners of the ‘Best Use of Technology Award’. We found out there were over 500 entries for the awards and over 186 entries in this category alone, so were thrilled to have won.
Our application was based around our completed BIM Level 1 projects and what we are doing to implement what is required to achieve BIM Level 2, through the internal groups and training in place.
We also touched on our 50th Anniversary, our plans for growth, use of technology to support marketing and communication objectives and how our company implemented cyber strategy to protect our business, our customers and data.”
Formed in 1966, MLM is a multidisciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy and corporate approved inspector, they provide professional services in all aspects of Environment Planning and Development, Buildings and Infrastructure, Compliance and Sustainability.
MLM Multidisciplinary Consulting will now be put forward for the national award that will be announced at the Chamber Business Awards 2016 ceremony in November.
Last week we were delighted to learn that Chamber member Finn Geotherm had won ‘Small Business of the Year’ in the Chamber Business Awards 2016 Eastern heat.
This accolade comes in Finn Geotherm’s 10th anniversary year and now qualifies them for the national award at the annual Chamber Business Awards 2016 ceremony in November.
Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award. We have been proud members of Norfolk Chamber for many years and it was an honour to be crowned Small Business of the Year in the east, particularly as Finn Geotherm is celebrating its 10th anniversary. To win such a prestigious award is the icing on our birthday cake!”
David Alston, technical director at Finn Geotherm, added: “This award is testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the entire team at Finn Geotherm, who have enabled the company to grow and expand over the past ten years. We are pleased to accept this award from Norfolk Chamber and very much look forward to the next ten years of installing more, great heat pump systems across the region.”
Finn Geotherm are one of the UK’s longest established renewable heating companies and in the ten years since their incorporation, have developed an extremely high level of expertise in ground and air source heat pumps.
Their business is going from strength to strength and it is no wonder they have been victorious in the Eastern heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2016.
Vattenfall launches campaign to register business interest in major offshore wind farm
Vattenfall, the developer of one of Norfolk’s largest wind farms, has called on local businesses to register their interest online with the company, advising “it’s important to start early”.
The Swedish company is at the early stages of developing the 1.8 gigawatt Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm. The project, if consented, is scheduled to start construction and operation in the 2020s.
Ruari Lean, Vattenfall’s Senior Project Development Manager for the Norfolk Vanguard scheme, said: “Our experience building wind farms in the UK tells us that if we want to maximise local business opportunities it’s important to start engagement early. Companies can benefit from early awareness of the opportunities, especially by understanding how and when to get involved in the procurement of a wide range of services.”
The energy firm, which is a member of the East of England Energy Group, recently joined the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber said it is keen to help the region secure business from projects like Norfolk Vanguard.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important to the UK and it is great that Norfolk is going to be at the forefront of this new technological solution. We will be working closely with Vattenfall to ensure that local businesses take advantage of the supply chain opportunities this project will bring to the local economy.
“We will also be working together to ensure that Norfolk’s young people understand the long term career opportunities this project will bring.”
In March this year, Vattenfall launched the Norfolk Vanguard project after agreeing a lease with The Crown Estate, the manager of the seabed. A second development area, Norfolk Boreas, was also agreed with The Crown Estate. Norfolk Boreas, with a target capacity of 1.8 gigawatts, is currently at the very earliest stages of development.
On Friday 30 September over 50 Norfolk Chamber Members from across the region joined us at BEST WESTERN PLUS: Knights Hill Hotel for an informative morning with Listers BMW King’s Lynn.
Delegates arrived early to get started on making new connections. Host Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council introduced our featured charity RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve and our first networking ice breaker of the morning. Delegates grouped together on their tables to name famous cars from cropped images, some even got full marks!
Following on from this delegates tucked into a delicious breakfast provided by Knights Hill Hotel, continuing to network on their tables. Once finished we proceeded to mix our delegates up with our Safari Move, changing their tables around to enable them to make even more contacts in the room.
James Martin, new Corporate Sales Manager for Listers King’s Lynn took the stage next, ready to give delegates an in-depth overview of their plans for the next 100 years of BMW. He highlighted how far BMW have come in the last 100 years and showed delegates the plans for the BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce, as well as the advanced technology behind them.
The event drew to a close with all delegates amazed by the prospects of the future of automotive technology, from the self-driving to the contact recognition all from a vehicle. Many stayed at the venue to visit our exhibition stands from RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve, WLP and DD Health & Safety Supplies, as well as continuing to network with even more delegates, and have a play in the cars brought along by Listers King’s Lynn.
The EU is proposing stronger controls on exports of certain goods and technologies that – in addition to legitimate civilian applications – may also be misused for human rights violations, terrorist acts or the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström explained: “We are living in turbulent times. Preserving peace and protecting human rights are core objectives of the EU and our trade policy is essential to that aim. That’s why we are proposing a set of modern rules to make sure that exports are not misused to threaten international security or undermine human rights.”
A main element of the Commission’s proposal is a new “human security” dimension in export controls, to prevent human rights violations associated with certain cyber-surveillance technologies.
With the emergence of, for example, specifically designed surveillance technology such as monitoring centres and data retention systems, it is considered essential to ensure that regulations allow EU authorities to stop exports in cases where they could be misused for human rights violations, for repression or in armed conflict.
The proposal also aims to simplify and harmonise the existing export control rules in order to save time and money for EU exporters and national authorities.
As well as being a significant actor in the fight against proliferation of WMD, the EU is a major producer and exporter of dual-use items with a control regime in place since the late 1990s.
A common EU list of controlled dual-use items is included in the annex to EC Regulation 428/2009. The new proposal can be foundhere.
Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is passionate about supporting young people to help them to develop their talents and achieve their aspirations. To tie in with the Chamber’s ongoing campaign encouraging the growth and advancement of Norfolk’s young people, it has established a Fund to support young people locally, creating opportunities and helping them flourish. This is a key priority for the Chamberwith its120 year anniversary in 2016.
The aim of the Norfolk Chamber Community Fund is to provide grant awards to charitable organisations working within Norfolk with young people aged up to 25. The main goal of these grants will be to increase access to employment and training, and so improve the opportunities and career options open to young people across the county.
Grants of up to£2,000are available to support projects focused on championing young people by working with those who are facing particular challenges in accessing employment or training, or developing their skills. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Eligible projects may include:
Providing training, leadership or volunteering opportunities for young people.
Projects that support young people who are NEET or at risk of exclusion to access training and develop skills.
Jobs clubs and careers support aimed at young people.
Deadline for applications 5pm, Friday 4 November 2016.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey – Britain’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey, based on more than 7,000 responses from firms in Q3 2016 – shows a mixed picture, with an improved short-term performance in the manufacturing sector set against a further slowdown ingrowth in the services sector.
The survey – the first covering the period after the EU referendum – shows that Norfolk manufacturers enjoyed improved domestic and export sales compared with the previous quarter, with many benefitting from sterling’s recent fall. Meanwhile, the balance of Norfolk’s service sector firms reporting improved domestic and export sales was at a low level with export balances falling into negative territory.
The survey’s results suggest that the Norfolk and UK economy is still growing – albeit at a lower level than before the referendum – and supports the BCC’s forecast for growth of 1% in 2017.
The survey suggests that near-term uncertainty following the vote to leave the European Union has led Norfolk businesses to lower their expectations for hiring, turnover, and investment in plant, machinery, and training.
Given this mixed picture, and muted business investment intentions, the BCC is urging the government to use next month’s Autumn Statement to boost business confidence – by giving the green light to key infrastructure projects, and by introducingmeasures that ‘crowd in’ business investment and job creation.
Key Norfolk findings in the Q3 2016 survey:
Overall, the figures for both the Norfolk manufacturing and services firms indicate growth, but at a slower pace than before the referendum
In the manufacturing sector, the balance of firms reporting improved export sales rose to +13, from -11 in Q2 2016.
The balance of Norfolk firms reporting an increase in advance export orders is +13, up from 0. One factor may be the fall in sterling, which has made some UK manufacturers more competitive.
Domestically, the balance of Norfolk manufacturers reporting increased sales increased dramatically from to +7 from -15, although those reporting increased advance orders fell somewhat, to +0 from +19
In the last three months, the balance of manufacturers hiring more staff rose thirty two points to +0 from +32, although in the services sector the number fell seven points to +9 from +16
Fewer firms in both sectors expect to take on staff in the next quarter. For services the balance for firms (+18, down 5) is the lowest since Q2 2013
In the services sector, many balances saw a decrease on the previous quarter
The balance of Norfolk services firms reporting improved domestic sales fell sharply to +10 from +21, while the advance orders balance fell from +19 to +0 – indicating a significant slowing of growth. This was reflected in the results for the East of England and nationally
On services exports, the balance offirms reporting improved sales remained in negative territory and fell from -9 in Q2 to -12 in Q3 2016, while the balance of firms reporting an increase in advance orders fell further, from -9 to -14
Norfolk’s manufacturers gained considerable confidence in both their expected turnover and profitability. However those in the Norfolk service sector reported that their confidence in those areas was waining.
Norfolk firms in both sectors have reported that the exchange rate is a greater concern to their business than three months ago, with 38% of services businesses (up from 12%) and 68% of manufacturers (up from 19%).
Commenting, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“While many Norfolk manufacturers have seen something of a bounce this summer, Norfolk’s services sector has slowed significantly, and our data suggests that slower growth is likely in the months ahead.
“Although it is important not to take one quarter’s figures in isolation, the BCC survey does show that growth in Norfolk has slowed further since the EU referendum. However I am confident that businesses in Norfolk are resilient and innovative. They will continue to strive towards delivering greater economic growth and jobs for our region.”
Also commencing on the results, Dr Adam Marshall, Acting Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Boosting business must be a key task forgovernment in the months ahead, particularly as forward confidence on turnover and profitability has flagged for firms across the UK.
“The Prime Minister has given businesses some clarity on the timetable for Article 50, and on short-term regulatory and legal issues. This is helpful, but needs to be followed up by a firm demonstration that the government has a clear and coherent strategyto defend the UK’s economic and business interests in the negotiations that lie ahead.
“Firms are concerned over investment, hiring, and profitability. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is a crucial opportunity to incentivise business investment and overseas trade. Final and irrevocable decisions on infrastructure projects, both big and small, would also boost business confidence and support investment all across the UK.”
The B1149 Holt Road will reopen at3.29pm today (Thursday 6 October) after the early completion of service diversion and tree clearance work for construction of Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
This first phase of Holt Road service diversion work involved the insertion of a sleeve for the diversion of a water main and irrigation pipe. The second phase (see below) will be to insert a sleeve for the diversion of a major gas main. Attempts to carry out the work in August under two-way traffic lights had to be abandoned because the depth of the gas main and position of the fragile asbestos cement water main required deeper excavations under full closures of the B1149 Holt Road.
This week’s phase one road closure was also used for tree felling and site clearance at the site of a new roundabout that will connect Holt Road to a realigned Drayton Lane. Once complete, the new Drayton Lane will provide the main route south from Horsford for all B1149 traffic.
Phase two of service diversions will begin on Monday 10 October, with Holt Road closing between Holly Lane and the Holt Road/Cromer Road roundabout at 9.30am, after the morning peak. The new point of closure will allow access in and out of Horsford via Holly Lane, as well as Church Street.
During this second phase, the traffic lights that have been in use at each end of Church Street will be withdrawn.
Although Holly Lane will provide an additional route in and out of Horsford, both Church Street and Holly Lane will be under pressure at morning and evening peak. Traffic from further afield should avoid using the B1149 through Horsford. There are number of points where congestion or queues could build up:
Morning peak. Norwich-bound traffic using Church Street will have a right turn across the busy A140. Traffic choosing Holly Lane will have an easy right turn from Holt Road (the closure stopping traffic from the south), and a left turn on to Reepham Road towards Norwich, or across the staggered junction into Hall Lane towards Drayton and the A1067.
Traffic heading east along Holly Lane to join the A140 Cromer Road will have to divert via Church Street.
Evening peak. Traffic returning to Horsford from Norwich on Reepham Road will have a right turn into Holly Lane, and will have to contend with traffic crossing from Hall Lane.
Access from Holly Lane to Horsford also means that the route from Norwich using the A140 and Church Street includes a live junction where it meets Holt Road (this is not the case under the phase 1 closure).
Bus services. First 36 will return to its normal route. Sanders services will continue as during the phase 1 closure of Holt Road.