Great Western mainline electrification project 'a farce'
One of the biggest infrastructure projects the West of England has ever seen has descended into “a farce and a nightmare” after running into a series of problems.
Work to electrify the Great Western mainlines to the region from London is under way in earnest across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, but is causing main roads across the area to be closed for months, with alternative routes “wrecked”, and a growing list of complaints, delays and struggling businesses.
The £5 billion project…
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First snow falls in Gloucestershire's Forest of Dean as Met…
Snow is already falling in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and parts of Herefordshire as forecasters prepare to issue a severe weather warning for ice across the West Country.
After weeks of rain, overnight temperatures are expected to plummet, bringing sleet and snow on high ground in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, as well as some lower levels.
Snow is already falling in Cinderford which is one of the highest points in Gloucestershire.
Drivers are being warned conditions could be…

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Rural petrol price cut to be extended
Motorists in rural areas could see their fuel bills cut by up to 5p a litre under the proposed expansion of a duty discount scheme which already covers parts of Devon and Isles of Scilly.
The UK Government has asked the European Commission to consider seven new regions across Scotland and in a part of north-east England.
Chief Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander, a Highlands MP, said: “High fuel prices in areas where cars are a necessity, not a luxury, is a major issue in rural communities…

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