Modus, developers of two major projects in Newport has axed building contractor Robert McAlpine from its Friar's Walk retail scheme. According to Building magazine Modus is aiming to reduce costs by managing the scheme itself. The report states "It is understood that developer Modus is rebidding the project as a management contract, thereby taking on more risk itself and reducing the money it will pay to the contractor." A spokesperson for McAlpine stated that they could not agree on a price for the work with Modus. Cardiff-based design consultants EC Harris has appointed Michael Petersen as a senior project manager working on the Friars Walk scheme with Modus.
BUS OPERATOR RESISTS MOVE TO MARKET SQUARE
Work is due to start on the scheme imminently. Bus operators though are resisting use of new stops in the city centre until roadworks are complete. Stagecoach had planned to divert some services to the Market Square area from the bus station but have deferred the change. "As a result of on-going construction works at the entrance from Corn Street, routes 151/56/50/R1/R3/R6 will not be using Upper Dock Street from the 21st January. Stagecoach in South Wales will only consider going into Upper Dock Street once the works at Corn Street and the other works have been completed. Therefore until further notice these services will continue to access the bus station on their existing routeing. We apologise for any confusion caused by circumstances which are beyond our control."
CLAMPDOWN ON VIOLENT CRIME REAPS REWARDS
Latest figures from Gwent Police show that violent crime is decreasing in Newport. Violent crime and public order offences in the city are 1.4 per cent down this year compared with the same period in 2006/07 - and 5.5 per cent down on 2003/04. Police in Newport launched Operation Bell in the run-up to Christmas after intelligence highlighted that the vast majority of incidents occurred around the city centre late at night.
A significant number of extra officers were drafted in at key times to provide a high visibility presence in problem areas. The figures look even better when considering that attacks on people in Newport are down 2.5 per cent on last year, resulting in 76 less victims.
The Newport Central area, which covers the city centre as well as the council wards of Gaer, Shaftsbury and Allt yr Yn, saw a 3.6 per cent increase in 'violence against the person' offences from last year. But this represents a significant improvement from when Operation Bell began at the start of September 2007, when the increase was 7.8 per cent. Further good news is that there was a massive reduction in sexual offences in the Newport Central area during December, when only two were reported compared with 19 in December 2006.
REPORT ON SHIP DETAINED IN DOCK
A Belize flagged vessel was detained at Newport Docks due to a failure to follow adequate security / alarm procedures, according to a report from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The ship remained in Newport for two days in November. The report states "Lifesaving equipment and appliances were not properly maintained. The number and natureof the deficiencies raised indicated a severe failure of the on-board SafetyManagement System (SMS)
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