On 24th March the transport company GB Railfreight successfully completed tests of some short stretches of new track and a re-modelled railway junction in Ipswich by actually running a freight train along the new sections. It is officially known as the "Ipswich Chord", but unofficially as the "Bacon Factory Curve" because it passes over the site of an old Walls bacon factory.
The Liberal Democrats pre-manifesto, sets out out the party's vision for Britain in the next Parliament
The local Fire Service has now settled into the new duty system which provides the same 24hr emergency cover but with considerable cost saving. The fire fighters now work 12hr active duty, 8.00am - 8.00pm, and are then on call for the next 12hrs from the new building on site. During active working hours they carry out practical and technical training, community fire safety and equipment maintenance. During their on call hours their time is their own.
Hertfordshire Lib Dems learned today that the projected underspend at County Hall this financial year has topped £21m. Just £4.2m of this is needed to carry into next financial year, to finish off delayed projects.
Conservative run Herts County Council has decided on a second slice of bus cuts - they will now slash a further £1.47m from the bus budget. This means a dozen key bus routes will go, others will only run up to 7.30pm. Sunday services will disappear with just a very few that serve hospitals running only up to to 7.30pm. Throughout the week, evening hospital visits will be made almost impossible shift staff will be hit hard. The Conservatives voted by 42 votes to 30 to push through the bus cuts, despite condemnation by the NHS Trusts, bus operators and the public.
Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats were delighted early on Friday morning by the return of their hard-working colleague County Councillor Ron Tindall to represent Adeyfield and Highfield in Hemel Hempstead.