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George Barker

George Barker

Articles by George Barker

local-road-network

Planning permission granted on major A40 upgrades

03/07/2026

Planning permission for the first phase of upgrades to the A40 between Eynsham park and ride and Wolvercote has been granted, clearing the way for junction improvements, priority lanes and more active travel.

dft

£300m repair bill means full reopening of Hammersmith Bridge 'not achievable'

03/07/2026

Hammersmith Bridge will not be reopened to motor traffic as it would ‘essentially require a brand-new bridge to be built' due to the £300m of repair work needed, according to a council report.

dft

Burnham's case for devolution revolution

03/07/2026

Following the resignation of Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham MP is set to take over as prime minister in July, heralding a new era of devolution, with local leaders given greater control of transport powers and devolved funding.

dft

Starmer cuts DfT budget to increase defence funding

01/07/2026

Outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the Department for Transport (DfT) will see £800m of funding cuts between now and 2030 to facilitate increased spending for the Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

companies-and-contracts

A46 bypass casualty of Starmer cuts

01/07/2026

National Highways has cancelled its £297m contract with Skanska for the A46 Newark bypass improvement scheme, citing the announcement of transport cuts from outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

companies-and-contracts

Deadline extended for £50m Devon surfacing framework

01/07/2026

Devon County Council has extended the deadline for its £64.8m resurfacing framework.

companies-and-contracts

Blackpool tenders £4m consultancy framework

01/07/2026

Blackpool Borough Council has tendered a £4.32m consultancy support framework.

companies-and-contracts

Slough tenders £15m framework

01/07/2026

Slough Borough Council has tendered a framework covering both minor and major highways works, with an estimated value of £15m.

companies-and-contracts

Project Centre wins big on £1bn Ealing transport framework

30/06/2026

Ealing Council has announced all suppliers appointed to its four-lot highways and transport services framework, with the total value of the contracts coming to roughly £1bn.

companies-and-contracts

Neighbouring Berkshire authorities consider joint £140m maintenance contract

30/06/2026

A joint pipeline notice has been released by Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Council as they look to set up a £140m contract for highways maintenance across both authorities.