In today’s news, we will look into the campaigners’ warning about the road-focused idea that, according to them, fuels the UK’s car addiction. In Rathcoole, a roof collapsed on an apartment building, and residents were evacuated. In a smart facility in Dublin, PATRIZIA will expand its sustainable office footprint with a EUR 60 million investment. Residents of Norfolk are vehemently opposed to the 5,000-home town plan.

Campaigners warn roads-focused policy fuels UK’s “car addiction”

Original Source: Roads-focused policy fuels UK’s ‘car addiction’, campaigners say

Clean air groups say the government must stop building roads to satiate “car addiction” after three-quarters of Liz Truss’s transport projects were road related.

There are now 3.1 million more private automobiles registered in Britain than 10 years ago, an 11% rise. Cities outside London have seen the most growth.

A total of 38,000 more automobiles are on the road in Manchester than in 2012, a 25% increase.

Glasgow saw a 19% growth over a decade, while Nottingham, Liverpool, and Leicester saw 18%.

Kwasi Kwarteng’s failed mini-budget included 87 out of 117 (74%) road enhancements.

Some prominent Conservatives want to abandon Boris Johnson’s public and active transport programs to focus on the vehicle, and HS2 may never reach Manchester.

Ben Houchen, the influential mayor of Tees Valley, called for a stop to the “villainization” of auto drivers at the Tory party conference this week. He also warned that driverless cars may make railroads and buses obsolete within 20 years.

Houchen defended vehicles during a Transport for the North event, which advocates for public transport in the north of England.

I’m a big automotive fan. Automatically trying to get passengers out of cars perplexes me. He remarked that I don’t see why we should strive to convince people that trains or buses are better than cars.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the next transport minister, spoke at a reception for the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a think tank formed by George Osborne after he left government.

“We want to rocket-boost those important arterial roads and some train projects that we can undertake at a higher pace before the next general election,â€� she added. “Those critical large changes to road infrastructure alter the dial for those regions, and that’s what this prime minister’s agenda is all about.â€�

Truss criticised Mark Drakeford at a party conference for cancelling road-building projects and refusing to build the M4 relief road. Her building priorities were roads, trains, energy, and broadband.

Houchen added, “While public transport is crucial to some since it’s their only mode of transportation, most people drive, especially in the north of England outside of our large cities.” And drivers shouldn’t be vilified. “

He said that within 20 years, most individuals may have access to subscription access to driverless cars utilising clean technology. It’s like trains and buses. “

The government’s growth plan includes “reforms to accelerate road delivery, including consenting more through the Highways Act 1980 and reviewing alternatives for modifying the Judicial Review system to reduce unnecessary delays.”

Clean Cities campaign chairman Oliver Lord urged the government to reverse course.

This government needs realism. Decades have been spent trying to end our car addiction. If the government is serious about addressing the cost of living, delivering growth, and lowering emissions, it should invest in buses, rail, and cycling, he added.

Instead, car use is rising in England’s cities, and the government wants to ease road-building. Air pollution is a public health problem, and I believe this budget will further increase childhood asthma and diseases.

An apartment building’s roof collapses in Rathcoole, evacuating residents

Original Source: Rathcoole: Residents evacuated from their homes after roof collapses at apartment blocks

On Friday evening, residents were evacuated after an apartment building’s roof collapsed.

Emergency services are in attendance at the Green End area of Rathcoole and motorists have been warned to avoid the area.

Police are noting that the incident is ongoing.

“Police in Newtownabbey are at an ongoing incident in Greenend, Rathcoole,” a PSNI spokesperson said.

“Police are requesting that cars avoid the area until further notice.”

North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett said two apartment buildings had been evacuated and tenants would be given weekend housing.

DUP MLA: “Here in Rathcoole, with residents evacuated from Green End Flats after a roof collapse.”

“Please avoid the area.

“We’re working with the Housing Executive to find temporary housing.”

“Any residents seeking any aid, support or guidance, please get in touch.”

NIFRS reported they have appliances on the scene.

“We can’t judge roof damage,” a spokeswoman added.

“We’ve emptied the building and believe those people are being transferred to a rest centre by Belfast City Council.”

There are believed to be no injuries recorded from the incident.

PATRIZIA expands its sustainable office presence with a €60m “smart” facility in Dublin

Original Source: PATRIZIA grows its sustainable office footprint with EUR 60m ‘smart’ office building in Dublin

PATRIZIA, a global real assets partner, invested almost EUR 60 million on behalf of its institutional clients in The Eight Building, a sustainable grade A office development in Dublin’s Liberties neighbourhood, the city’s developing creative and innovation quarter. Developed to LEED Gold 1 and WiredScore Platinum Standard 2, it ensures operational efficiency, a reduced carbon footprint, minimal running expenses, and cutting-edge digital infrastructure.

Phil Irons, Managing Director, Transactions & Fund Management UK & IE at PATRIZIA, said: “Despite the current economic instability in Europe, we believe the worldwide megatrend of digitization is only accelerating.” Dublin’s powerful digital infrastructure requires smart buildings. As a crucial facilitator of smart cities and smart buildings, PATRIZIA couldn’t pass up The Eight Building in Dublin’s tech cluster.

Dublin ranks #39 in PATRIZIA’s European City Pulse index, which analyses 142 western European cities based on market fundamentals, site quality, inventive capacity, and connectivity.

“It’s not surprising that Dublin features in the top third of our European City Ranking, and with this latest investment, we have now grown our AUM in Dublin to close to EUR 830m,â€� adds Phil Irons. Dublin ranks #16 for market fundamentals and has world-class fibre optic network connectivity as an early adopter of 5G in 2019. The city’s population of 1.4 million is expected to expand to 1.8 million by 2036 as it attracts foreign firms, students, and skilled workers.

The Eight Building property was bought by Ekistics Property Advisors LLP and developed by Revelate Capital and Valorem Investment Partners. The Eight Building, completed in 2021, comprises ground-floor shops and a total NIA of 7,340 sqm over five storeys.

The structure faces Newmarket Square, Dublin’s brewing and distilling hub. Over the past few years, this well-connected neighbourhood has been undergoing a transition spurred by the building of new student accommodation, residential and commercial facilities alongside the preservation and improvement of the area’s ancient infrastructure.

Patrizia was advised by Knight Frank and A&L Goodbody.

PATRIZIA: A renowned partner for global real assets

PATRIZIA has offered institutional, semi-professional, and private investors real estate and infrastructure investment possibilities for 38 years. PATRIZIA manages about 56 billion euros and employs 1,000 people in 28 locations. PATRIZIA’s Foundation promotes social responsibility. In the previous 23 years, the Foundation has helped 250,000 children obtain access to school and a better life.

Locals protest the 5,000-home Norfolk town idea

Original Source: ‘Norfolk’s not up to it’ – Locals strongly oppose 5,000-home town plan

Neighbours are preparing to resist a proposed new town in mid-Norfolk with “hammer and tongs.”

North of Dereham, between North Elmham, Billingford, and Bintree, 5,000 dwellings could be erected in Norfolk’s first new town in centuries.

There are also ambitions to put the adjoining Mid Norfolk Railway – currently a heritage line – back into the commuter rail network.

Locals are unhappy the proposal is returning after a town plan was rejected in 2018.

North Elmham Parish Council Chair Jennie Borgnis opposed the proposal “strongly.”

Mrs. Borgnis stated, “The consultation process hasn’t opened, but when it does, we’ll give our views.”

“The railway is single-track, so using it as a commuter line in this new development is absurd.”

“No commercial rail line would run it as a commuter rail, either.”

Mrs. Borgnis said North Elmham had come together with other parish councils to defeat the “garden village” project in 2018 and would likely do so again to fight this plan.

“There are too many houses here,” she added. First, it’s not a trunk road.

“It’s on the wrong side of Dereham and Norwich, being near the River Wensum. It’s useless. “

John Labouchere, 85, who has lived in Norfolk his whole life, said, “It’s all good farming land.”

“Norfolk’s infrastructure isn’t adequate.â€�

A paper filed with Breckland Council suggests building may begin within five years of approval.

The village might be created in a decade if 500 homes are built each year.

25% are “affordable” and 75% are sold at market rates.

Michael Davies, chairman of Billingford Parish Council, also objected.

Mr. Davies stated, “This is an agricultural and food-production area, and it would use up precious land.”

“Developing agricultural land isn’t a good idea in my opinion.â€�

“If the will was there, many brownfield sites in Norfolk could be used.”

Mr. Davies said using the Mid Norfolk Railway line for regular services was “amusing” and unlikely.

Breckland district and Norfolk county councillor Bill Borrett remarked, “We’ll do everything we can to stop it.”

Mr. Borrett said he was “very disappointed” about developing on the land.

“We made many good points about why it was an unacceptable place last time,” he said.

“The site can’t support such tremendous development. No services, great landscape value, incorrect position. “

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman said he had not heard of the plans since Breckland Council rejected the last request due to inadequate transport links.

Mr. Freeman added, “Any suggestion must be planned.”

“I’ll study the ideas and talk to citizens and councilmembers.”

“But the key for me will be minimising the loss of ancient woodland and high-quality farming, committing to net zero housing, and investing in North Elmham’s train, cycle, bus, and road connectivity.”

Summary of today’s construction news

Overall, we discussed the road-focused idea, which campaigners would say fuels the “car addiction,” as three quarters of Liz Truss’s transport projects are related to roads. Residents in an apartment building in Rathcoole were evacuated after the roof collapsed on Friday evening. With a EUR 60 million investment in a smart facility in Dublin, it allows PATRIZIA to expand its sustainable office footprint. The neighbours in the area around the proposed new town in the middle of Norfolk are getting ready to fight it with “hammer and tongs.” They voiced significant opposition to a 5,000-home town plan.