Southsea promenade flood defence wall crack 'bigger'

A large crack in a flood defence wall in Portsmouth is getting bigger, the leader of the council has warned.

A section of promenade has been cordoned off after the crack appeared behind the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, some time between 25 and 26 December.

Portsmouth City Council's Donna Jones tweeted that it had "eroded more overnight with the hole getting bigger. The next 24 hours are key."

The council begins rebuilding the wall on Wednesday at 07:00 GMT.

It said it was the earliest the repair work could begin "due to the high tides and strong winds, as well as the availability of machinery and materials". Work will take place over two weeks as the hole is filled and 2,000 tonnes of rock delivered.

The crack will cost £250,000 to repair, with the funding expected to come from the Environment Agency.

Rob New, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "Everyone should be aware this area of the esplanade is a very dangerous place at the moment as the defences are structurally unsafe.

"We have put barriers in place to block access to the part of the esplanade affected but we are unable to prevent access via the beach due to the tides."

Ms Jones said the authority had already been working on a multimillion-pound replacement scheme of old sea defences, including this section.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35193237

Southsea promenade flood defence wall crack 'bigger'

A large crack in a flood defence wall in Portsmouth is getting bigger, the leader of the council has warned.

A section of promenade has been cordoned off after the crack appeared behind the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, some time between 25 and 26 December.

Portsmouth City Council's Donna Jones tweeted that it had "eroded more overnight with the hole getting bigger. The next 24 hours are key."

The council begins rebuilding the wall on Wednesday at 07:00 GMT.

It said it was the earliest the repair work could begin "due to the high tides and strong winds, as well as the availability of machinery and materials". Work will take place over two weeks as the hole is filled and 2,000 tonnes of rock delivered.

The crack will cost £250,000 to repair, with the funding expected to come from the Environment Agency.

Rob New, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "Everyone should be aware this area of the esplanade is a very dangerous place at the moment as the defences are structurally unsafe.

"We have put barriers in place to block access to the part of the esplanade affected but we are unable to prevent access via the beach due to the tides."

Ms Jones said the authority had already been working on a multimillion-pound replacement scheme of old sea defences, including this section.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35193237

Southsea promenade flood defence wall crack 'bigger'

A large crack in a flood defence wall in Portsmouth is getting bigger, the leader of the council has warned.

A section of promenade has been cordoned off after the crack appeared behind the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, some time between 25 and 26 December.

Portsmouth City Council's Donna Jones tweeted that it had "eroded more overnight with the hole getting bigger. The next 24 hours are key."

The council begins rebuilding the wall on Wednesday at 07:00 GMT.

It said it was the earliest the repair work could begin "due to the high tides and strong winds, as well as the availability of machinery and materials". Work will take place over two weeks as the hole is filled and 2,000 tonnes of rock delivered.

The crack will cost £250,000 to repair, with the funding expected to come from the Environment Agency.

Rob New, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "Everyone should be aware this area of the esplanade is a very dangerous place at the moment as the defences are structurally unsafe.

"We have put barriers in place to block access to the part of the esplanade affected but we are unable to prevent access via the beach due to the tides."

Ms Jones said the authority had already been working on a multimillion-pound replacement scheme of old sea defences, including this section.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35193237

Southsea promenade flood defence wall crack 'bigger'

A large crack in a flood defence wall in Portsmouth is getting bigger, the leader of the council has warned.

A section of promenade has been cordoned off after the crack appeared behind the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, some time between 25 and 26 December.

Portsmouth City Council's Donna Jones tweeted that it had "eroded more overnight with the hole getting bigger. The next 24 hours are key."

The council begins rebuilding the wall on Wednesday at 07:00 GMT.

It said it was the earliest the repair work could begin "due to the high tides and strong winds, as well as the availability of machinery and materials". Work will take place over two weeks as the hole is filled and 2,000 tonnes of rock delivered.

The crack will cost £250,000 to repair, with the funding expected to come from the Environment Agency.

Rob New, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "Everyone should be aware this area of the esplanade is a very dangerous place at the moment as the defences are structurally unsafe.

"We have put barriers in place to block access to the part of the esplanade affected but we are unable to prevent access via the beach due to the tides."

Ms Jones said the authority had already been working on a multimillion-pound replacement scheme of old sea defences, including this section.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35193237

Southsea promenade flood defence wall crack 'bigger'

A large crack in a flood defence wall in Portsmouth is getting bigger, the leader of the council has warned.

A section of promenade has been cordoned off after the crack appeared behind the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, some time between 25 and 26 December.

Portsmouth City Council's Donna Jones tweeted that it had "eroded more overnight with the hole getting bigger. The next 24 hours are key."

The council begins rebuilding the wall on Wednesday at 07:00 GMT.

It said it was the earliest the repair work could begin "due to the high tides and strong winds, as well as the availability of machinery and materials". Work will take place over two weeks as the hole is filled and 2,000 tonnes of rock delivered.

The crack will cost £250,000 to repair, with the funding expected to come from the Environment Agency.

Rob New, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "Everyone should be aware this area of the esplanade is a very dangerous place at the moment as the defences are structurally unsafe.

"We have put barriers in place to block access to the part of the esplanade affected but we are unable to prevent access via the beach due to the tides."

Ms Jones said the authority had already been working on a multimillion-pound replacement scheme of old sea defences, including this section.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35193237

Southsea promenade flood defence wall crack 'bigger'

A large crack in a flood defence wall in Portsmouth is getting bigger, the leader of the council has warned.

A section of promenade has been cordoned off after the crack appeared behind the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, some time between 25 and 26 December.

Portsmouth City Council's Donna Jones tweeted that it had "eroded more overnight with the hole getting bigger. The next 24 hours are key."

The council begins rebuilding the wall on Wednesday at 07:00 GMT.

It said it was the earliest the repair work could begin "due to the high tides and strong winds, as well as the availability of machinery and materials". Work will take place over two weeks as the hole is filled and 2,000 tonnes of rock delivered.

The crack will cost £250,000 to repair, with the funding expected to come from the Environment Agency.

Rob New, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "Everyone should be aware this area of the esplanade is a very dangerous place at the moment as the defences are structurally unsafe.

"We have put barriers in place to block access to the part of the esplanade affected but we are unable to prevent access via the beach due to the tides."

Ms Jones said the authority had already been working on a multimillion-pound replacement scheme of old sea defences, including this section.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35193237

Fears grow over giant crack in Brighouse bridge

The Huddersfield Road Bridge that goes over the River Calder is the main route into the town and used by buses and heavy goods vehicles.

The crack in the structure has been apparent for some time but residents are now concerned that the unprecedented water levels could have caused more damage to the bridge.

Chris Marshall send in this picture and said: “After the collapse of Elland Bridge, there must be some cause for concern about the river bridge over Huddersfield Road in Brighouse.

Read more: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fears-grow-over-giant-crack-in-brighouse-bridge-1-7649063#ixzz3vwWNmwcb

Fears grow over giant crack in Brighouse bridge

The Huddersfield Road Bridge that goes over the River Calder is the main route into the town and used by buses and heavy goods vehicles.

The crack in the structure has been apparent for some time but residents are now concerned that the unprecedented water levels could have caused more damage to the bridge.

Chris Marshall send in this picture and said: “After the collapse of Elland Bridge, there must be some cause for concern about the river bridge over Huddersfield Road in Brighouse.

Read more: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fears-grow-over-giant-crack-in-brighouse-bridge-1-7649063#ixzz3vwWNmwcb

Fears grow over giant crack in Brighouse bridge

The Huddersfield Road Bridge that goes over the River Calder is the main route into the town and used by buses and heavy goods vehicles.

The crack in the structure has been apparent for some time but residents are now concerned that the unprecedented water levels could have caused more damage to the bridge.

Chris Marshall send in this picture and said: “After the collapse of Elland Bridge, there must be some cause for concern about the river bridge over Huddersfield Road in Brighouse.

Read more: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fears-grow-over-giant-crack-in-brighouse-bridge-1-7649063#ixzz3vwWNmwcb

Fears grow over giant crack in Brighouse bridge

The Huddersfield Road Bridge that goes over the River Calder is the main route into the town and used by buses and heavy goods vehicles.

The crack in the structure has been apparent for some time but residents are now concerned that the unprecedented water levels could have caused more damage to the bridge.

Chris Marshall send in this picture and said: “After the collapse of Elland Bridge, there must be some cause for concern about the river bridge over Huddersfield Road in Brighouse.

Read more: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fears-grow-over-giant-crack-in-brighouse-bridge-1-7649063#ixzz3vwWNmwcb

Fears grow over giant crack in Brighouse bridge

The Huddersfield Road Bridge that goes over the River Calder is the main route into the town and used by buses and heavy goods vehicles.

The crack in the structure has been apparent for some time but residents are now concerned that the unprecedented water levels could have caused more damage to the bridge.

Chris Marshall send in this picture and said: “After the collapse of Elland Bridge, there must be some cause for concern about the river bridge over Huddersfield Road in Brighouse.

Read more: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fears-grow-over-giant-crack-in-brighouse-bridge-1-7649063#ixzz3vwWNmwcb

UK Warmest December on Record causes Spring to start Early.

Britain's topsy turvy weather means that spring has come four months early with this December being the warmest on record, according to latest figures from the Met Office.

As storms and floods continue to batter communities across northern parts of the UK, experts also revealed that it had been the second wettest December in more than 100 years.

Across the the country an average 211mm of rain fell during the month. Only December 1929 was wetter, with 213mm of rain.

Scotland and Wales both had their wettest December since 1910, the earliest year on record - 333.1mm and 321mm respectively.

December temperatures for the whole of the UK reached a spring-like 8C, which is 4.1C above the long-term average. The previous record was 6.9C, set in 1934.

The Met Office said: "This means the temperatures this December 2015 were closer to those normally experienced during April or May."

This year is on course for being one of the 10 wettest on record in the UK. The wettest year was 2000, when 1,337mm of rain fell across the country. Provisional figures for the year up to December 29 show 1,270mm of rain.

Storm Desmond was largely responsible for making December a record-breaking month, say the experts, with unprecedented amounts of rain falling on the Lake District.

The Christmas period was described as "unsettled, wet and mild". Hard on the heels of Storm Desmond, Storm Eva brought more gales and heavy rain to many northern areas on Christmas Eve, then Storm Frank moved in to cause more mayhem, with Scotland and Northern Ireland bearing the brunt.

December has also been the fourth wettest on record in Northern Ireland, said the Met Office. But rainfall levels have been much closer to average in central and southern England.

Experts lined up to make the connection between the extreme weather and global warming.

Climate scientist Professor Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that climate change is partly responsible for the flooding across the north of England. These floods are in part due to greenhouse gas emissions."

He said the unusually high temperatures resulted from the combined effect of a strong El Nino ocean-warming system in the Pacific and a man-made global warming trend.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/national/14176358.Spring_arrives_early_after_warmest_December_on_record/

UK Warmest December on Record causes Spring to start Early.

Britain's topsy turvy weather means that spring has come four months early with this December being the warmest on record, according to latest figures from the Met Office.

As storms and floods continue to batter communities across northern parts of the UK, experts also revealed that it had been the second wettest December in more than 100 years.

Across the the country an average 211mm of rain fell during the month. Only December 1929 was wetter, with 213mm of rain.

Scotland and Wales both had their wettest December since 1910, the earliest year on record - 333.1mm and 321mm respectively.

December temperatures for the whole of the UK reached a spring-like 8C, which is 4.1C above the long-term average. The previous record was 6.9C, set in 1934.

The Met Office said: "This means the temperatures this December 2015 were closer to those normally experienced during April or May."

This year is on course for being one of the 10 wettest on record in the UK. The wettest year was 2000, when 1,337mm of rain fell across the country. Provisional figures for the year up to December 29 show 1,270mm of rain.

Storm Desmond was largely responsible for making December a record-breaking month, say the experts, with unprecedented amounts of rain falling on the Lake District.

The Christmas period was described as "unsettled, wet and mild". Hard on the heels of Storm Desmond, Storm Eva brought more gales and heavy rain to many northern areas on Christmas Eve, then Storm Frank moved in to cause more mayhem, with Scotland and Northern Ireland bearing the brunt.

December has also been the fourth wettest on record in Northern Ireland, said the Met Office. But rainfall levels have been much closer to average in central and southern England.

Experts lined up to make the connection between the extreme weather and global warming.

Climate scientist Professor Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that climate change is partly responsible for the flooding across the north of England. These floods are in part due to greenhouse gas emissions."

He said the unusually high temperatures resulted from the combined effect of a strong El Nino ocean-warming system in the Pacific and a man-made global warming trend.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/national/14176358.Spring_arrives_early_after_warmest_December_on_record/

UK Warmest December on Record causes Spring to start Early.

Britain's topsy turvy weather means that spring has come four months early with this December being the warmest on record, according to latest figures from the Met Office.

As storms and floods continue to batter communities across northern parts of the UK, experts also revealed that it had been the second wettest December in more than 100 years.

Across the the country an average 211mm of rain fell during the month. Only December 1929 was wetter, with 213mm of rain.

Scotland and Wales both had their wettest December since 1910, the earliest year on record - 333.1mm and 321mm respectively.

December temperatures for the whole of the UK reached a spring-like 8C, which is 4.1C above the long-term average. The previous record was 6.9C, set in 1934.

The Met Office said: "This means the temperatures this December 2015 were closer to those normally experienced during April or May."

This year is on course for being one of the 10 wettest on record in the UK. The wettest year was 2000, when 1,337mm of rain fell across the country. Provisional figures for the year up to December 29 show 1,270mm of rain.

Storm Desmond was largely responsible for making December a record-breaking month, say the experts, with unprecedented amounts of rain falling on the Lake District.

The Christmas period was described as "unsettled, wet and mild". Hard on the heels of Storm Desmond, Storm Eva brought more gales and heavy rain to many northern areas on Christmas Eve, then Storm Frank moved in to cause more mayhem, with Scotland and Northern Ireland bearing the brunt.

December has also been the fourth wettest on record in Northern Ireland, said the Met Office. But rainfall levels have been much closer to average in central and southern England.

Experts lined up to make the connection between the extreme weather and global warming.

Climate scientist Professor Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that climate change is partly responsible for the flooding across the north of England. These floods are in part due to greenhouse gas emissions."

He said the unusually high temperatures resulted from the combined effect of a strong El Nino ocean-warming system in the Pacific and a man-made global warming trend.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/national/14176358.Spring_arrives_early_after_warmest_December_on_record/

UK Warmest December on Record causes Spring to start Early.

Britain's topsy turvy weather means that spring has come four months early with this December being the warmest on record, according to latest figures from the Met Office.

As storms and floods continue to batter communities across northern parts of the UK, experts also revealed that it had been the second wettest December in more than 100 years.

Across the the country an average 211mm of rain fell during the month. Only December 1929 was wetter, with 213mm of rain.

Scotland and Wales both had their wettest December since 1910, the earliest year on record - 333.1mm and 321mm respectively.

December temperatures for the whole of the UK reached a spring-like 8C, which is 4.1C above the long-term average. The previous record was 6.9C, set in 1934.

The Met Office said: "This means the temperatures this December 2015 were closer to those normally experienced during April or May."

This year is on course for being one of the 10 wettest on record in the UK. The wettest year was 2000, when 1,337mm of rain fell across the country. Provisional figures for the year up to December 29 show 1,270mm of rain.

Storm Desmond was largely responsible for making December a record-breaking month, say the experts, with unprecedented amounts of rain falling on the Lake District.

The Christmas period was described as "unsettled, wet and mild". Hard on the heels of Storm Desmond, Storm Eva brought more gales and heavy rain to many northern areas on Christmas Eve, then Storm Frank moved in to cause more mayhem, with Scotland and Northern Ireland bearing the brunt.

December has also been the fourth wettest on record in Northern Ireland, said the Met Office. But rainfall levels have been much closer to average in central and southern England.

Experts lined up to make the connection between the extreme weather and global warming.

Climate scientist Professor Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that climate change is partly responsible for the flooding across the north of England. These floods are in part due to greenhouse gas emissions."

He said the unusually high temperatures resulted from the combined effect of a strong El Nino ocean-warming system in the Pacific and a man-made global warming trend.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/national/14176358.Spring_arrives_early_after_warmest_December_on_record/

UK Warmest December on Record causes Spring to start Early.

Britain's topsy turvy weather means that spring has come four months early with this December being the warmest on record, according to latest figures from the Met Office.

As storms and floods continue to batter communities across northern parts of the UK, experts also revealed that it had been the second wettest December in more than 100 years.

Across the the country an average 211mm of rain fell during the month. Only December 1929 was wetter, with 213mm of rain.

Scotland and Wales both had their wettest December since 1910, the earliest year on record - 333.1mm and 321mm respectively.

December temperatures for the whole of the UK reached a spring-like 8C, which is 4.1C above the long-term average. The previous record was 6.9C, set in 1934.

The Met Office said: "This means the temperatures this December 2015 were closer to those normally experienced during April or May."

This year is on course for being one of the 10 wettest on record in the UK. The wettest year was 2000, when 1,337mm of rain fell across the country. Provisional figures for the year up to December 29 show 1,270mm of rain.

Storm Desmond was largely responsible for making December a record-breaking month, say the experts, with unprecedented amounts of rain falling on the Lake District.

The Christmas period was described as "unsettled, wet and mild". Hard on the heels of Storm Desmond, Storm Eva brought more gales and heavy rain to many northern areas on Christmas Eve, then Storm Frank moved in to cause more mayhem, with Scotland and Northern Ireland bearing the brunt.

December has also been the fourth wettest on record in Northern Ireland, said the Met Office. But rainfall levels have been much closer to average in central and southern England.

Experts lined up to make the connection between the extreme weather and global warming.

Climate scientist Professor Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that climate change is partly responsible for the flooding across the north of England. These floods are in part due to greenhouse gas emissions."

He said the unusually high temperatures resulted from the combined effect of a strong El Nino ocean-warming system in the Pacific and a man-made global warming trend.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/national/14176358.Spring_arrives_early_after_warmest_December_on_record/

Colombia declares red alert for low water levels

Colombia has declared a red alert because of low water levels in two key rivers which supply hundreds of towns and cities in the South American country, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday.

A fifth of Colombia's municipalities are already under water rationing measures as the El Nino phenomenon cuts down rainfall dramatically.

The declaration makes it likely the government will soon extend rationing measures and impose a limit on water consumption in homes, though Santos offered no further details.

The country's weather agency recommended the measure, the president said.

"I'm declaring the red alert for low levels in the Magdalena and Cauca rivers in 23 provinces," Santos said at a government event.

Future energy rationing measures could be a possibility, the president added. Seventy percent of Colombia's energy is supplied hydro-electrically.

The El Nino weather pattern is linked to the warming of the Pacific Ocean and tends to leave Colombia and Central America drier.

The drought prompted the coffee federation to modify export standards in October as nearly half the country's growing regions are affected by drought.

Colombia declares red alert for low water levels

Colombia has declared a red alert because of low water levels in two key rivers which supply hundreds of towns and cities in the South American country, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday.

A fifth of Colombia's municipalities are already under water rationing measures as the El Nino phenomenon cuts down rainfall dramatically.

The declaration makes it likely the government will soon extend rationing measures and impose a limit on water consumption in homes, though Santos offered no further details.

The country's weather agency recommended the measure, the president said.

"I'm declaring the red alert for low levels in the Magdalena and Cauca rivers in 23 provinces," Santos said at a government event.

Future energy rationing measures could be a possibility, the president added. Seventy percent of Colombia's energy is supplied hydro-electrically.

The El Nino weather pattern is linked to the warming of the Pacific Ocean and tends to leave Colombia and Central America drier.

The drought prompted the coffee federation to modify export standards in October as nearly half the country's growing regions are affected by drought.

Colombia declares red alert for low water levels

Colombia has declared a red alert because of low water levels in two key rivers which supply hundreds of towns and cities in the South American country, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday.

A fifth of Colombia's municipalities are already under water rationing measures as the El Nino phenomenon cuts down rainfall dramatically.

The declaration makes it likely the government will soon extend rationing measures and impose a limit on water consumption in homes, though Santos offered no further details.

The country's weather agency recommended the measure, the president said.

"I'm declaring the red alert for low levels in the Magdalena and Cauca rivers in 23 provinces," Santos said at a government event.

Future energy rationing measures could be a possibility, the president added. Seventy percent of Colombia's energy is supplied hydro-electrically.

The El Nino weather pattern is linked to the warming of the Pacific Ocean and tends to leave Colombia and Central America drier.

The drought prompted the coffee federation to modify export standards in October as nearly half the country's growing regions are affected by drought.

Colombia declares red alert for low water levels

Colombia has declared a red alert because of low water levels in two key rivers which supply hundreds of towns and cities in the South American country, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday.

A fifth of Colombia's municipalities are already under water rationing measures as the El Nino phenomenon cuts down rainfall dramatically.

The declaration makes it likely the government will soon extend rationing measures and impose a limit on water consumption in homes, though Santos offered no further details.

The country's weather agency recommended the measure, the president said.

"I'm declaring the red alert for low levels in the Magdalena and Cauca rivers in 23 provinces," Santos said at a government event.

Future energy rationing measures could be a possibility, the president added. Seventy percent of Colombia's energy is supplied hydro-electrically.

The El Nino weather pattern is linked to the warming of the Pacific Ocean and tends to leave Colombia and Central America drier.

The drought prompted the coffee federation to modify export standards in October as nearly half the country's growing regions are affected by drought.