Category Archives: Technology

High Speed Rail to Preston

Posted on 11 January 2012 by Pete of MIP

Ben Wallace MP for Wyre and Preston North spoke in parliament on including Preston in the High Speed Rail route, HS2. To which Justine Greening replied as below. As reported in ‘they work for you’: Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North, … Continue reading →

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Parliament debates BAE redundancies

Posted on 26 November 2011 by Pete of MIP

On November 24th a debate was held in parliament on the redundancies at BAE SYSTEMS primarily at the Warton and Samlesbury plants in Lancashire and the closure of the Brough site in Yorkshire. The prime mover was David Davis, the … Continue reading →

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BAE Systems redundancies announced

Posted on 28 September 2011 by Pete of MIP

BAE Systems announced on 27th September, 3,000 potential job losses at its sites. Of the total the Preston area includes; 843 at Warton and 565 at Samlesbury, making 1,408 in the area. Worst hit of all the military aircraft sites … Continue reading →

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High Speed Rail consultation period ends

Posted on 8 August 2011 by Pete of MIP

The High Speed Rail consultation period concluded at the end of July and decision making will take until the end of the year. At present the line is planned to extend as far as Manchester in the north-west but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Rail, Technology | 1 Comment

Made in Britain, we’re on TV again

Posted on 22 June 2011 by Pete of MIP

The BBC once more centred around the area of Preston in its Made in Britain programme fronted by Evan Davies on the 20th June. A visit to Warton to see the highest levels of technology followed by a flight in … Continue reading →

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Recession Blues

Posted on 24 April 2011 by Pete of MIP

Not sure if the recession is making things quiet or that there is a feeling that even if people have plans the lack of money will stop them.  Or is it just that PNE aren’t fairing too well and it … Continue reading →

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Three Wind Turbines near the docks

Posted on 28 February 2011 by Pete of MIP

Preston council is looking at building 3 wind turbines close to where the Lancaster Canal – River Ribble join. These will be very large, similar to the one near Garstang at Dewlay Cheese, and will benefit from government grants and guarantees … Continue reading →

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High Speed Rail challenge

Posted on 28 February 2011 by Pete of MIP

Today the public consultation begins on the High Speed 2 rail link from London to the North, and campaigners who live near London are rallying support.  The campaigners are mainly those who won’t get direct benefit from the line and are objecting on environmental … Continue reading →

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Super Fast Broadband in Lancashire by 2014

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Pete of MIP

Lancashire County Council have announced that they are putting together plans to roll out Super Fast Broadband to almost every place in Lancashire by 2014 to attract new businesses and benefit domestic customers.  A partner will be selected by competitive tender to … Continue reading →

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BAE SYSTEMS announces potential redundancies

Posted on 14 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

The UK’s biggest advanced engineering company, BAE SYSTEMS, has announced potential local job losses following the cancellation of the UK Nimrod MRA4 and Harrier contracts.  These include 668 at Warton and 119 at Samlesbury.   In addition jobs will be lost … Continue reading →

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Manchester to Blackpool rail electrification by 2016

Posted on 27 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport, stated in Parliament on the 25th November 2010: ‘The Chancellor also announced on 20 October the electrification of the lines between Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool, representing an investment of up to £300 … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Rail, Technology | 5 Comments

Dewlay Wind Turbine at Garstang

Posted on 17 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

The very large wind turbine built at the Dewlay Cheesemaker site at Garstang is now operating.  Driving past it is very impressive and creates quite a landmark.  Yesterday was a very light wind but the turbine was turning and seemed to … Continue reading →

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Manchester to Blackpool Rail Electrification

Posted on 17 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

It was a surprise to discover the good news announced in the governments spending review on 21st October 2010 seemed to have no coverage.  Here is what the chancellor said: ‘In the North West, we will invest in rail electrification between Manchester, … Continue reading →

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Defence Review

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

The defence review announced on the 19th October ended the UK requirement for Harrier, Nimrod MRA4 and vertical take off F35 which all provide work in the local BAE SYSTEMS factories.  The Nimrod has been in work for well over 10 years … Continue reading →

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BAE trims its cloth

Posted on 10 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

Around 450 jobs are to go at BAE SYSTEMS Warton and Samlesbury plants out of a total of 950 that will be shed nationally.  In such a large company it could be expected that there will be a lot of … Continue reading →

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Industrial Revolutionaries in Preston

Posted on 24 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

The Industrial Revolutionaries is a display at the Harris Museum in Preston.  The revolutionaries are the people who made an impact in Preston and include cotton magnates and reformers, mill workers and inventors.  The display was funded by a number of … Continue reading →

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Inception

Posted on 2 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

Best film for ages, began to feel high at the fantastic idea behind it. Need to keep alert to follow the multi-threaded story. Great music. Was I dreaming? Couldn’t help thinking Leonardo Di Caprio has developed a hint of Marlon Brando or was … Continue reading →

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Leyland bus name slips into Blackburn

Posted on 1 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

The Leyland name is once more associating itself with bus manufacture in Lancashire.  Optare the Leeds based bus manufacturer who bought out East Lancashire Coachbuilders of Blackburn have agreed that Ashkok-Leyland of India will buy a 26% stake in the company.   There … Continue reading →

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Defence Minister fires warning shots at Farnborough

Posted on 22 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

Liam Fox the Defence Minister made a speech at Farnborough giving a warning about the affordability of defence projects in the current climate.  Although some might say in any climate. The most promising part of the speech was the support … Continue reading →

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Taranis Unmanned Aircraft unveiled

Posted on 13 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

Yesterday July 12th, BAE SYSTEMS at Warton held a ceremony to unveil the Taranis Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle concept demonstrator which is due to fly in 2011 around 5 years after the programme was launched. The aircraft is the size of … Continue reading →

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