Issues at an electrical substation which caused a fire that resulted in Heathrow Airport closing were first detected seven years ago but not fixed, a report has found. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) said moisture entering electrical components at the North Hyde substation caused the blaze at the site that supplies the UK’s biggest airport with power. It revealed an elevated moisture reading had been first detected in July 2018, but the issue went “unaddressed” for years, with basic maintenance by National Grid cancelled. Energy watchdog Ofgem launched an investigation into National Grid following the report’s findings, which Energy…
Author: dmnews
Extreme weather during the Club World Cup in the United States this summer means Fifa should think about playing the men’s World Cup final at 9am next year, according to an expert. Professor Mike Tipton of Portsmouth University, a leading specialist on the effect of extreme temperature on the human body, was asked by BBC Sport how football’s governing body should handle a heatwave at next year’s tournament. Like many, Tipton has been struck by the brutal conditions that players have been exposed to in some matches at the Club World Cup in the US, and which have underlined the…
Striking displays of clouds which are mostly only seen in the summer months have been appearing in the skies over Northern Ireland in recent nights. Noctilucent clouds occur at extremely high levels in what is known as the mesosphere – a layer in the atmosphere above where our regular clouds and weather systems live, about 76-85km high – on the edge of space. The clouds require very low temperatures in this part of the upper atmosphere, which only happen in the summer months, to allow water vapor to freeze into ice crystals. These ice crystals then need to condense onto…
A 50-year-old woman has appeared in court charged with the murder of her partner in Newry city centre. Igors Gavrilovs, who was 40, died on Saturday, having sustained a serious injury in the Fisher Park area of the city. Zivile Geringiene, who is homeless, is accused of killing him, with the offence aggravated by reason of domestic violence. The defendant was put on remand with the case adjourned until 23 July. In the dock of Armagh Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, Ms Geringiene confirmed her name, date of birth and that she understood the charge through a Lithuanian interpreter. No…
Belfast City Airport has increased the charge for people collecting or dropping off passengers in a designated zone from £3 to £4. The £1 rise to use the express pick-up and drop-off area for the first 10 minutes came into effect on Tuesday. The airport said the increase was due to “rising costs” associated with “maintaining and operating” their facilities and it would allow them to “invest in the safety, security, and quality” of their car parks. Drivers will still be able to access the long stay car park at the airport for 10 minutes for free when dropping off…
Tennis courts built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be replaced with padel courts in a move that has infuriated tennis players. The plan is to turn four indoor tennis courts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in north-east London into nine courts for the emerging racquet sport – which is a blend of tennis and squash. Shawn Dawson, boss of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, where Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is, insisted the changes were essential. A petition against the plan has attracted more than 1,500 signatures. Mr Dawson said: “We need to make…
Plans for a climate-resilient garden at Hampton Court Palace have been unveiled by the charity that cares for the Tudor building. Historic Royal Palaces is hoping the new planting scheme in the Great Fountain Garden will feature almost 300 species across 32 planted beds and borders, each selected for their climate resilience, biodiversity value and long seasons of interest. The aim is that once established, the planting will require little irrigation, the charity said. It will be led by award-winning garden designer Ann-Marie Powell. She said: “Our design is about reimagining beauty through the lens of sustainability, resilience, and biodiversity.”…
Temperatures are continuing to soar in parts of England, with the heat on course to potentially hit 34C or 35C in the south. Tuesday could officially become the hottest day of the year so far, topping the 33.2C recorded in Surrey 10 days ago. The Midlands will also see above-average temperatures – but there is a stark contrast in conditions for the rest of the UK, where it is forecast to stay cool and cloudy. It comes as high temperatures continue across Europe, with France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the Balkans all experiencing scorching heat in recent days. The UK…
A second spell of temperatures well over 30C before we’ve even got to the end of June – how unusual is this and how much is climate change to blame? Temperatures of 34C are possible on Monday or Tuesday in south-east England. They’ve been triggered by an area of high pressure getting “stuck” over Europe, known as a heat dome. But climate scientists are clear that the heat will have inevitably been boosted by our warming climate. Some people might feel these temperatures are “just like summer” – and it’s true they are a lot cooler than the record 40C and…
As climate change speeds up and resources become more scarce, businesses are realising that innovation and sustainable practices are becoming necessities rather than merely nice things to do. Companies that invest in sustainable operations (for example, waste management and net zero practices) are setting themselves up for resilience and success, as climate issues threaten their businesses, and customers and governments demand better practices. Rural businesses need particular help in this quickly evolving environment. These companies – firms like small-scale manufacturers, farms, and rural service providers like independent shops – face particular pressures related to their economic and geographical landscapes. These businesses make…