•Swing to lose: 0.16%
The road to an SNP majority runs straight through seats like Dumbarton, as do Scottish Labour’s hope of forming the main opposition in Holyrood.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour Health spokesperson, is fighting to retain the seat of Dumbarton. Picture: John Devlin
Jackie Baillie has held the seat at every single Scottish Parliament election since 1999. But after returning with a comfortable majority of more than 6,500 in 2003, Ms Baillie’s grip on Dumbarton has been slipping ever since.
The rising tide of SNP support in the constituency vote threatens to wash away what remains of her majority. The Labour Party veteran came ahead of her 2016 SNP challenger by just 109 votes, making the seat the most marginal in Scotland.
Michael Fowler: Hawke s Bay s Kuripapango once promoted as a resort
30 Apr, 2021 06:14 PM
5 minutes to read
Rosie Macdonald, next to Member of Parliament Cyril Harker, at the opening of the present Kuripapango Bridge (currently being strengthened) in 1961. Photo Hawke s Bay Knowledge Bank
Rosie Macdonald, next to Member of Parliament Cyril Harker, at the opening of the present Kuripapango Bridge (currently being strengthened) in 1961. Photo Hawke s Bay Knowledge Bank
Hawkes Bay Today
Kuripapango Bridge, some 57 kilometres from Hastings on the Napier-Taihape Rd, is currently undergoing strengthening work to be able to increase its carrying load from 44 tonnes to 62 tonnes.
Also included in the work is approaches to and from the bridge being made more accessible.
The Rangitata Awa in flood in 2019.
Photo: Supplied / Flickr
An update was provided to the council last week on the Rangitata Awa Restoration Project, where concerns were expressed on both the makeup and transparency of the associated working groups on the project.
The formation of the group last year was largely spurred by major flooding of the Canterbury river in December 2019 and the need for further engagement from iwi on future flood protection.
It was part of government-funded $2.7 million regional council work programme for work to mitigate flood risk, further investigations, and future and environmental enhancement works.
The steering group comprises of representatives from Te Runanga o Arowhenua, the Department of Conservation (DOC), Environment Canterbury (ECan), Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and the Timaru and Ashburton District Councils.
Media release: MG ALBA announces further major investment in Scottish creative industries
MG ALBA, which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC, has today announced key production contracts that will deliver a wide range of high-impact programming for the channel over the next three years.
Seven production companies will provide content for BBC ALBA and its digital platforms, including entertainment, music, children’s programmes and documentaries.
The contracts have been awarded to companies located across Scotland, including Stornoway, Aberdeen and Glasgow, and mark further significant investment in Scotland’s creative industries.
Agreements have been made in principle with the following companies:
The road into Waikaia has been cut off by flood waters.
The Waikaia River water levels at Piano Flat are the highest on record, Emergency Management Southland group controller Angus McKay says. Water levels along the Waikaia River at Piano Flat reached higher levels than the flooding in February last year. According to Environment Southland environmental data, at 11.20am water levels were at 3.263 metres, which is 2.263 metres above normal at the Waikaia River, near the Waikaia township. There would be more rain on Sunday afternoon, but water levels were starting to drop, McKay said. Campers at Piano Flat left the site on Saturday, with a few people taking refuge in nearby houses.