12-12-12

On the 12/12/12 Christmas Greetings to everyone from Ringway in Worcestershire.

"LEAN the LOAD" UPDATE.

We have now carried out "LEAN the LOAD" audits on 13 vehicles within the Worcestershire Highways fleet with some very interesting findings...
a. We have been able to reduce the vehicle weight of all the vehicles audited some by as much as half a tonne.
b. Two of the vehicles prior to their audit were found to be over weight.
c. We found, pre audit 18 shovels on one 3.5 tonne vehicle at Newlands.

We will throughout December continue with the audits and monitor expected improvements in fuel efficiency.


Pictured right is a load removed during audit at Newlands.

Movember - last day...

Today brings the final day of Movember and tonight we will all head for the shaving cream.

A fantastic effort by all has raised over £700 .

"Lean the Load"

In December in Worcestershire we promote a carbon reduction initiative. You will remember "Dont be a carbon criminal", "Carbon Christmas Crackdown", and "Drive Safe - Drive Green". This years campaign is "Lean the Load"

We will be auditing the Worcestershire fleet and applying the principles of LEAN to de clutter, avoid duplication and look to improve fuel efficiency.

An audit team will be set up to audit vehicles,apply the 5s approach, carry out before and after weight checks and also to carry out tyre pressure checks etc.

As a result we aim to ensure improve efficiency, enhance appearance,confirm legal compliance and as ever our number one priority, improve safety.

Christmas Lights turn on.

This Saturday, Ringway Worcestershire in conjunction with Free Radio are sponsoring the Christmas lights turn on at Bewdley and Malvern. Both "turn ons" take place at 5.30pm, why not go along and take part in the festivities.

All week Ringway Worcestershire can be heard on Free Radio - 97.6.

Worcestershire Floods.

We have had an "army" of men working through the weekend to deal with the extensive flooding. Thanks to everyone for their efforts. There have been numerous examples of the team showing their professionalism and commitment.

The newly set up rapid response flood skips were mobilised to Upton and Bewdley where the equipment has been utilised along side the flood defences.

Scott and Chris save the day.

Scott Henderson & Chris Hill had been instructed to erect flood boards on Woodbury Drive Norton, Worcester. On approach to the flooded area Scott & Chris noticed a lady stuck in a silver Fiat in some distress. Although advised not to enter flood water the guy’s decided to assist Vivian (72) of St. Dunstan’s Close, Worcester.

 Chris drove the canter vehicle as close to the fiat as possible, Scott then had to wade through the flood water to get to the vehicle. On arriving at the car Scott saw that Vivian was panicking and becoming extremely anxious, Chris had to reassure Vivian that she wasn’t going to be left.

 Scott lifted Vivian out of the car and piggy backed her to the canter where Chris was waiting to assist. Once Vivian was safe and dry in the van Scott returned to the vehicle to collect Vivian’s personal belongings. Chris and Scott then took Vivian home to St. Dunstan’s Close, where they made sure she was ok before leaving to return to flood duties.

Thanks go to both for doing the right thing, and acting as excellent ambassadors for Worcestershire Highways.

Worcestershire "Ladies Day".

Today we held the first of our "Ladies Days". This was a suggestion scheme idea from Shirley Breed. Shirley suggested that we carry out training sessions to provide minor vehicle maintenance training and tips on driver safety.

Steve Ayres carried out the first session at Highways House and the session was very well received with a particular focus on winter driving safety.

Further sessions are to be held at Newlands, Lydiate Ash and County Hall.

New apprentices start in Worcestershire.

On Monday we inducted this years highway apprentices here at Highways House. They have undergone their initial training in Devon and this week they will start work on the highway.

Matt Phipps will work with Melvin Trigg, Frank Burnham with Harry Lee, Andrew Brown with John Baker and Ryan Bunton with Phil Garbett. We wish them all a long prosperous career with Ringway.

November 5th - Ringway Near Miss Day.

Today is Ringway near miss day.

At 12.00am all managers and supervisors will visit a site or office or depot and discuss with the local team what a near miss is and how spotting them can prevent incidents in the future.

All near misses are to be recorded on the "Ringway near miss/hazard alert" card.

Wear it Pink Update

As the "Wear it Pink" fundraising day reaches its climax here are the competition winners....

Results:

I am… Nick Twaite                            -              correctly guessed by John Churchill

I am… Christine Stroud                  -              correctly guessed by Marion Roberts

Quiz won by Team Gill Orgee @ County Hall

Pinkest Person won by Cassy Decap

John Baker - Health and Safety Champion.

Today Jackie Hyslop presented John Baker with a cheque for £25.00 for winning the Worcestershire Highways "Health and Safety Champion of the Month".

John has won the award for continuously getting high site audit scores and was especially praised by Steve Wallis for the safety compliance of his sites and for the image presented of Worcestershire Highways and Ringway to the general public.  

MEGAN GALLAGHER CHARITY GOLF MATCH 18/9/12.

MEGAN GALLAGHER CHARITY GOLF MATCH 18/9/12.

All,

Just to say a huge thank you for all your support for the above event in aid of UHNS.

The sum raised so far is £1243, well done to you all.

Gill:  Can you thank the folks in County Hall that brought raffle tickets.

Danielle: Could you forward to all at Ringway (Worcestershire) please.

Sandra: Could you thank Dr Taylor, and let him know the sum raised so far please.

Also, can we please thank Friends and relatives that attended the event, made donations, and brought raffle tickets.

There is still a signed England Shirt that is up for grabs, there is a bid of £400 so far.

If you think I have missed anyone off this Email, then I apologise, and would be grateful if you would forward the Email to them.

Once again thank you all. Roger and his Family, were overwhelmed by the support, that Family, Friends and Colleagues gave in supporting this event,

Charity Golf Match and Raffle.

Tuesday 18^TH SEPTEMBER, 2012

IN AID OF NORTH STAFFS CHILDRENS INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

All,
You are probably aware of how poorly Megan(Roger Gallagher daughter) was a few weeks back.
Roger and his family would like to thank North Staffs Hospital for the outstanding care and treatment that their Little Princess Megan received.
The family were overwhelmed by the Consultants, Doctors, Nurses,  compassion, support , and above all a huge, huge, thank you for getting Megan well again.
We also intend on this day to celebrate " Ellie Gallagher's " great achievement of becoming "Young Carer" of the year.
Therefore we thought a Charity Golf Match on the 18/9/12 at Wharton Park Golf Club, Bewdley, followed by a presentation, raffle and meal, seemed very fitting.
If you are interested or wish to support this event. The cost for Golf Players only will be £30 per head.  (Buggies are available at a charge of £22 if required.)
Menu Available  -  Steak Pie and Chips
                              Chilli and Rice
                              Fish, Chips and Peas.
The evening presentation at 7.00pm to include the meal is £8.00 per head.
       
All the raffle prizes have been kindly donated and include:
 2 Satellite Navigation units, Champagne,  £10 Gift Vouchers, £60 meal voucher, Electric Golf Trolley, Bottles of Whiskey, Vodka, Wine, £40 shop voucher, and many, many, more.
Please try and support Roger and his family.

Remember, raffle tickets are still available from Newlands and Lydiate, big prizes on offer.

Olympic Day Results.

The overall total raised on the day is £134.84 which will be donated to "Help for Heroes".

Prizes/ Awards

Highways will be receiving the Gold Award

Newlands will receiving the Silver Award

Lydiate will be receiving the Bronze award

The following will be receiving a Olympic theme prizes.

Lydiate – Christine Mcloughlin and Barbara Wood ( from the Client) both decorating around there desk and wearing silly hats all day!

Newlands –  Debbie ( for the hard Sell on all the cakes)

Highways – Cassie ( excellent idea with face paints) Martin Lane ( for the bow tie)

Thanks to Danielle for organising, Debbie for the fantastic cakes and everyone for taking part.

Charity Golf Entrants Wanted.

Megan Gallagher Golf Challenge Cup

TUESDAY 18^th SEPTEMBER 2012

Evening Presentation at 19.00

Hello All
You may be aware of how poorly Megan (Roger Gallagher's youngest daughter) was a few weeks ago.
Megan was in hospital for some time and Roger and his family would like to thank the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the outstanding care and treatment that their 'Little Princess Megan' received.
The family were overwhelmed by the compassion, support and treatment given by the Consultants, Doctors and Nurses to make Megan well again.

As a celebration of Megan's recovery and to celebrate Ellie Gallagher's (Rogers older daughter) great achievement of becoming 'Young Carer of the Year, and to fundraise for the hospital,  a Charity Golf Match is being organised, followed by a Presentation Evening.

Olympic Day Update

Friday is Worcestershire Highways Olympic Day.

Friday 10th August - Worcestershire Highways Olympic Day.

This Friday we will be celebrating the Olympics, and invite everyone to take part in the festivities.

   Red, white and Blue clothing ( donation of a £1)

·         Cup cakes will be delivered in morning ( minimum donation of £1)

·         Screening/radio of the Olympic In depots.

·         Prizes and awards for best dressed depot/donations raised

.

      We will be presenting Olympic themed prizes at all depots, all funds raised will be donated to "Help For Heroes".

The Queen and Prince Philip visit Worcester.

The Worcestershire Highways team was out in full force to ensure the visit ran like clockwork. The sun shone and the traffic management and crowd control worked exceptionally well.

Official Launch of Martley Games Area Sunday 8th July 2.00pm.

The official launch of the Martley Community Games Area takes place this Sunday at 2.00pm.

Ringway will be taking part in a football match as part of the festivities, why not go along.

Excellent response at Fish Hill.

Yesterday following an incident at Fish Hill the road was closed when a lorry lost its load and damaged the safety fence.

Our team, under the direction of Robbie Cosnett received the call at 1.30pm and were able to have the road reopened by 4.00pm having cleared up and removed the debris and repaired the safety fence.

Great work by everyone.

The Olympic Torch returns to Worcestershire this Sunday.

The Olympic Torch is back in Worcestershire this Sunday.

The torch will be on the move Sunday morning travelling from Redditch to Evesham , and then on to Broadway before exiting the County. Please keep the route works free on Sunday.

Two new faces......

This week you will see two new faces in and around the depots and Highways House.

Oscar Dusautoir joins us on a three month French work placement from Eurovia Reims (Champagne country - but he did not bring a bottle). Oscar will be based at Newlands.

Jessica Weber joins us for three weeks on a German work placement from Frankfurt.

Jessica will be working with Jackie and her team.

Variable Message Signs at Holt Fleet

Next week there will be overnight road closures on the A4133 at Holt Fleet for carriageway resurfacing.

As part of our policy to promote excellent public perception we are using two illuminated message board to communicate and inform of the impending closure.

Placing of the Diamond Jubilee Milestone

Today we were happy to provide assistance to the Worcestershire branch of the Milestone Society, collecting and placing the Diamond Jubilee milestone at Claines.
Ringway was happy to provide their services at no cost for such a worthy cause and to assist Society members Terry Keegan, Robbie and Connie Swann and Mike Holford.

The official unveiling takes place next Tuesday.

Praise for our Olympic Torch traffic management.

The Olympic Torch passage through Worcestershire was a great success.

We had teams out in Worcestershire with Ringway providing the support free of charge in line with our corporate social responsibility policy.

Jon Fraser commented as follows......
"Can I please extend my grateful thanks and a hearty 'well done' to all staff that have been involved in assisting with road closures, traffic management and the erection of barriers to assist with the Olympic Torch Relay passage through Worcestershire.

The event has been extremely successful and has moved throughout the County very smoothly.

West Mercia Police pass on their thanks and I understand that LOCOG and the Metropolitan Police have been very impressed with our traffic management operations.

Can you please pass on thanks to all WCC and Ringway staff concerned"

West Mercia Police commented.....

"Many thanks for your personal help with the torch  - can you please also pass on our appreciation for a job very well done to Ringway  at all the locations across Worcestershire and in Worcester City in particular"

"Ma'am, 

On another note, the closure of city walls road went very well with very much needed assistance from Ringways who did an excellent job helping me. Without their assistance I think that it would have ended in chaos so can you pass my thanks on to whoever" 

  

Olympic Torch in Worcestershire Today.

The day has arrived, the torch procession will enter the County this afternoon in the North travelling through Bewdley, Kidderminster and Droitwich arriving in Worcester late in the afternoon

Ensure the Torch route remains free from works, pay particular attention to cyclical activites - grass cutting, gully emptying, weed spraying, barrier repairs and surface dressing.

Tomorrow morning the Torch leaves Worcester travelling to Malvern.

Steps to health competition.

Please see the attached memo detailing the "steps to health" competition. Can anyone who is interested in participating please contact me so that we can form teams to take part in this exciting proposition.

Laura/Chris

Congratulations to Laura and her husband Ben on the birth of their son Zach - 9lbs and doing well.

We say goodbye to Chris Gareze who leaves us today to take up a post in New Zealand for Downer EDI, working in Christchurch on the earthquake rebuild. Good luck and remember to let us have any good ideas they may have with respect to highway maintenance.

Worcestershire Olympic Torch Relay Information.

On Thursday 24th May the Olympic Torch Relay enters the County travelling to Kidderminster and Droitwich ending in Worcester City. The following day, Friday 25th May the torch progresses from Worcester to Malvern and then out of the County. On Sunday 1st July the Torch Relay re enters the County travelling from Redditch to Evesham.

Ringway will be "going the extra mile" and providing barriers and traffic control as part of our ongoing corporate social responsibilities and our commitment to localism.

Worcester High Street Night Works.

Despite a difficult start and very trying weather conditions, works progressed very well last night and will continue, weather permitting tonight.

We are laying a specialist coloured surfacing material through the length of the pedestrianised High Street to replace the resin bound material that has caused problems.

Although the works are disruptive we have gone to great lengths to inform and liaise with the local public and businesses, including the use of a daily updated on line blog, information letters and Chris Dovey has personally visited each business that will be inconvenienced by the work. We have received very positive feedback......... "a welcome and refreshing change. Just thought I would write." .. is just one of the letters we have received.