Helen Bower has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson. She replaces Jean-Christophe Gray. Mr Gray will shortly take on a new role in Whitehall.
Helen Bower is currently the Prime Minister’s Deputy Official Spokesperson. She has previously been the Prime Minister’s Chief Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and Head of Media at UKREP in Brussels.
Until summer 2015, there will be various restrictions in place to allow for the construction of a reinforced concrete barrier in the central reserve. These include speed restrictions, narrow lanes and hard shoulder running.
On Wednesday 3 June there will be an overnight full road closure northbound and southbound from M1 junction 18 to junction 16 and the M45 junction 1 to J17 for installation of Smart Motorway Narrow Lanes.
On Thursday 4 June there is a planned contingency for the same works scheduled above.
Work to improve the capacity and traffic flows at M1 Junction 24 is nearing completion. There will continue to be traffic management in place around the junction and its approaches at night times. There are no full closures over the next week.
Customers travelling to and from East Midlands Airport should allow extra time for their journeys during this work, particularly if they have a flight to catch. For real time traffic information visit http://ift.tt/rL9MNu.
From Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June the M1 northbound exit slip road will be closed from 8pm to 6am (9pm to 6am on Friday 05 June). During the M1 northbound exit slip road closure, northbound traffic wishing to access junction 24 should use junction 23A.
From 30 May to 5 June the northbound link road between south and north bridge of West Leake junction will be closed during the day-time from 6am to 6pm. The diversion route for the closure of the northbound link road will be via the A453 westbound, turn at Parkway junction and return via A453 eastbound.
On Monday 1 June the A453 will have a full closure between M1 junction 24 and Parkway junction from 8pm to 5.30am Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday 2 June the A453 will have a full closure between West Leake junction and Parkway junction from 8pm to 5.30am Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday 3 June the A453 will have a full closure between Mill Hill roundabout and West Leake junction from 8pm to 5.30am. During closures between Mill Hill roundabout and West Leake junction, access to the villages from the A453 will be via Green Street from Mill Hill roundabout.
Until winter 2016 there will be various restrictions in place on the M1 between junctions 28 and 35a to allow for the construction of the Smart Motorway. These include lane closures, speed restrictions, hard shoulder running and overnight slip road or carriageway closures. This week the following full closures will be in place:
From Monday 1 June through to Friday 5 June (8pm to 6am) there will be an up and over diversion at junction 34 on the northbound and southbound carriageways.
On Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 June the northbound entry slip road at junction 29a will be closed each night from 8pm to 6am both mornings.
On Thursday 4 June the southbound entry slip road at junction 29a will be closed from 8pm to 6am Friday morning.
On Tuesday 2 June the northbound entry slip road at junction 31 will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am Wednesday morning.
On Friday 5 June the southbound entry slip road at junction 30 will be closed from 8pm to 6am Saturday morning.
On Saturday 6 June there will be an up and over diversion on the southbound carriageway at junction 30 from 8pm to 6am Sunday morning.
From Thursday 28 May to 20 August there will be a permanent closure of the hard shoulder with selected lane closures and 50 mph speed restrictions in place during this period.
On Monday 1 June the northbound carriageway will be closed from 9pm to 6am Tuesday morning.
There will be a 24/7 closure of the northbound exit slip road until 11 June to allow the construction of a new access road.
From Monday 1 to Thursday 4 June the eastbound carriageway will be closed each night from 8pm to 6am; On Friday 5 June the eastbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm to 8am Saturday morning;
On Saturday 6 June the eastbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm to 9am Sunday morning.
A43 from Junction 15a (M1) to Towcester, Northamptonshire: Drainage work
The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am until 9 June for drainage work. Diversions will be clearly signposted.
From Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 June the eastbound entry slip road will be closed each night from 9pm to 6am in the morning.
The westbound exit slip road will be closed from Wednesday 3 June to Friday 5 June each night from 9pm to 6am in the morning.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
Work to improve traffic flow and journey times is taking place, with narrow lanes, a contra-flow and a 50mph speed limit in place on both carriageways between junctions 2 and 4a, with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day until the end of 2016. For further details please visit the scheme website.
Work to improve traffic flow and journey times across the Black Dam roundabout near Basingstoke continues this week. Narrow lanes, a 30mph speed limit and off-peak lane closures will be in place on the approaches and around the roundabout until autumn 2015. For more information please visit the scheme website.
Work to strengthen the hard shoulder of the junction 6 slip roads near Basingstoke will continue this week. The southbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for six nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 7.
Work to improve road user safety by renewing the road markings and street lighting is due to start this week. The westbound exit slip road at junction 6 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Monday 1 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 7. In addition a lane closure will be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, from Monday 1 June for four nights.
Work to improve road user safety by renewing the road markings and street lighting is due to start this week. A lane closure will be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Tuesday 2 June for four nights.
Work to ease congestion by widening the slip roads and remarking lanes at the junction continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the link roads overnight, between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday only. The work is due to be completed in July. For further details please visit the scheme website.
Work to ensure road user safety by replacing the joints and waterproofing material on the Mortimer Line Railway Bridge continues this week. 24 hour narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit are in place on both carriageways. In addition, lane closures will be in place overnight, between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday only. Work is due to be completed in July.
Work to maintain safety and improve journeys by replacing bridge joints and beams at the Chieveley Interchange and Welford Viaduct continues this week.
The sections of the roundabout directly beneath the M4 at junction 13 and the A34 north and southbound approach roads at the junction will be closed from 9pm on Friday 5 June through to 5.30am on Monday 8 June. Additionally, the east and westbound carriageways between the slip roads at junction 13 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 5.30am, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Clearly signed diversions will be in place primarily along the A4. Access to the Moto service area will be maintained from the M4 westbound exit slip road and using diversions through Newbury and Donnington.
24 hour narrow lanes, a contraflow, overnight lane closures and a 50mph speed limit are in place on both carriageways between junction 13 and junction 14.
Work is due to be completed in September. For further details please visit the scheme website.
Work to maintain safety by renewing the road markings and maintaining the drainage systems between the junctions continues this week. A lane closure will be in place in both directions overnight, between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday only. Work is due to be completed by Friday 12 June.
Work to improve the traffic flow and reduce congestion continues this week. The eastbound entry slip road and the M271 southbound (between the A3057 Romsey Road roundabout and junction 3 of the M27) will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 4am, from Monday 1 June for twenty nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 2. Narrow lane traffic management and a 50mph speed limit will remain in place until late July. further details please visit the scheme website.
Work to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on the northern side of the junction 5 roundabout in Eastleigh is continuing this week. Narrow lane traffic management with a reduced speed limit will remain in place until completion in late July. For further details please visit the scheme website.
Work to improve safety on the carriageway near Petersfield is taking place this week. The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Monday 1 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the B2070 and B3006.
Work to improve the visibility of road markings on the carriageway begins this week. The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for fifteen nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3 London Road and B2150 Hulbert Road.
Work to ensure road user safety by renewing road markings will take place this week. The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Friday 5 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the B2149 Park Road South, B2177 and A2030.
Work to improve road user safety by maintaining the drainage system alongside the A31 continues this week. The carriageway will be closed in both directions overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for five nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A350 and A35.
Work to ensure road user safety by repairing the drainage system near Didcot continues this week. The southbound carriageway between Milton and Chilton Interchanges will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for five nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Harwell. Work is due to be completed on Friday 5 June.
Work to improve journey times and road user safety by improving the layout of the Milton Interchange continues this week. 24 hour narrow lanes and speed limits of 40mph on the northbound carriageway and 30mph on the southbound carriageway are in place. Work is due to be completed in spring 2016.
For further details please visit the scheme website.
Work to improve road user safety by resurfacing the eastbound carriageway near Popham is due to be completed this week. The eastbound carriageway between the A34 (Bullington) and the M3 (Dummer) will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for five nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A34, A33 and M3.
Work to improve information for road users by renewing road signs along the westbound carriageway is due to start this week. The westbound entry slip road at the A343 Salisbury Road junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for two nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3057 Winchester Road junction. A lane closure will also be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday only. Work is due to be completed by the end June.
Surveys to monitor the condition of the road surface and verges at the Handy Cross roundabout will take place this week. A lane closure will be in place on the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 1 June for two nights.
Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
Darrell Jacob, 38 years old, of Hereford Street, Brighton, was given a 4-year prison sentence for 2 counts of the sale and supply of unlicensed medicines as well as one count of money laundering.
He was part of a gang of of 12 men and women, 11 of which were previously sentenced to a total of more than 20 years in prison following a long running investigation into the sale of counterfeit and unlicensed drugs.
The gang had been selling counterfeit and unlicensed drugs over the internet since 2004 until their operation was closed down by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in 2011.
Summing up the case HHJ Wade congratulated MHRA for a “meticulously managed and well-focused case.”
Alastair Jeffrey, MHRA Head of Enforcement said:
“This case shows the level and scale of organised criminality involved in the sale of unlicensed medicines.
“Those involved repeatedly tried to evade detection and made millions of pounds from their illegal activities.
“This has been a long and complex international investigation and is one of the largest we have ever prosecuted and the clear message from this case is that, if you buy medicines online, you are potentially trusting a criminal to look after your health.
“If you are ill and need treatment, a visit to your GP is the best course of action. We recommend that medicines are obtained from a legitimate high street or online pharmacy.”
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Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the carriageway will continue this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 1 June for three nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A41 and A405 to join the M1 at junction 6. ##M4 junctions 1 Chiswick to 3 Hounslow, Greater London: Drainage work
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance will start this week. The eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, from Monday 1 June for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via A4 and A312.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out carriageway sweeping will start this week. The southbound link road to the M25 clockwise will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 5am, on Friday 5 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M25 anti-clockwise to junction 6 and return.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the carriageway will start this week. The clockwise carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Tuesday 2 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M20, A20 and M26 to rejoin M25 at junction 5.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out carriageway sweeping will start this week. The clockwise entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Wednesday 3 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the M25 anti-clockwise, junction 5, A21, A25 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 8 and return.
The anti-clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 4 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise to junction 8 and return.
Work to maintain safety continues this week. The clockwise link roads to both carriageways of the M23 will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 5.30am, on Friday 5 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 8 and return.
Work to keep road users informed will start this week. The anti-clockwise entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Monday 1 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the M25 clockwise to junction 9 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 6 and return.
The clockwise entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Wednesday 3 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via junction 6 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 9 and return.
Work to maintain safety will continue this week. The anti-clockwise carriageway will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am, on Friday 6 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the exit and entry slip roads.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out carriageway sweeping will start this week. The anti-clockwise entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Wednesday 3 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the M25 clockwise to junction 24 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 22 and return.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out carriageway sweeping will start this week. The anti-clockwise entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Tuesday 2 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via junction 25 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 23 and return.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the A12 continues this week. The clockwise dedicated link road to the A12 eastbound (for Brentwood) will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, from Monday 1 June for five nights. Work on Friday night will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be available via the junction 28 roundabout.
Work to improve journeys as part of the Dart Charge scheme will continue this week. The clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Tuesday 2 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 30.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance will start this week. The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Monday 1 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 3 and the A1001.
Work to improve journeys as part of the Dart Charge scheme will continue this week. The westbound link road to the A282 northbound will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 1 June for four nights and on Saturday 6 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the roundabout during week nights, the diversion for Saturday will be via the roundabout and link road to junction 1b.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance will start this week. The southbound entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Monday 1 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the Esher junction and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via the Wisley junction and return.
Work to reduce congestion and improve safety continues this week as part of a major scheme to widen the A13 and the M25 junction 30 roundabout and slip roads. Narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit are in place with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day. There will be additional overnight lane and slip road closures as required. All closures will have a clearly signed diversion in place.
For further details please visit the scheme web page.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the carriageway will start this week. The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Wednesday 3 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A25 eastbound, A224, A225 to Morleys roundabout.
The southbound carriageway from the A25 to Morleys roundabout will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Thursday 4 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A25 eastbound, A224 and A225.
The northbound carriageway from the link road to the M25 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Friday 5 June for two nights. Work on Friday night will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise to junction 6 and return.
Work to improve journeys as part of the Dart Charge scheme will continue this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 8:30pm and 5.30am, on Monday 1 June and from Wednesday 3 June for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday via the A282 southbound to junction 2 and return. The diversion for Friday and Saturday will be via the A282 southbound to junction 1b and return.
Work to improve journeys as part of the Dart Charge scheme will continue this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 1 June for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via A282 southbound to junction 2 and return.
The southbound exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Thursday 4 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place to junction 2 and return.
Work to improve journeys as part of the Dart Charge scheme will continue this week. The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Tuesday 2 June. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the link road from junction 1b to junction 2.
Work to improve journeys as part of the Dart Charge scheme will continue this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Saturday 6 June for two nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the link road to junction 1b.
Work to improve journeys at the Dartford Crossing will continue this week. The following closures will be in place, with a fully signed diversion for oversized vehicles for the northbound east tunnel closures.
The QEII Bridge will have three (of four) lanes closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Tuesday 2 June.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
