Chamber News

Norfolk County Council’s annual road surface dressing programme for 2015 starts today (Wednesday, 15 April) with gangs working in the Bradwell, Langham and east coastal areas.

Surface dressing is one of the best ways of extending the life of roads while contributing to safety by improving skid resistance and preventing potholes. The process involves laying a thin layer of bitumen and chippings on to the road, stopping water penetration and reducing the number of potholes caused by frost. This year’s planned programme is worth £9.2M.

This work takes place every year while the weather is warmer, with the holiday areas and main roads treated first. Where possible, work is planned away from busy roads during peak periods, but because it is fast-moving and may be suspended during bad weather, it is hard to give motorists early warning of where the crews will be working. The aim is to complete busier routes by the end of July.

People living along routes to be surface dressed will receive notification a day or two before the crews arrive. They will be asked not to park on the road on the day of the surfacing, or the following day when loose chippings will be swept up. They will have the chance to say what they think afterwards via the County Council’s website, or on a response card which will be delivered to a proportion of residents.

The County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused to local people and to motorists, who are asked to drive with care and consideration when work is taking place, and for a few days afterwards while the new surface settles. A 20mph speed limit is imposed during work and on freshly-laid surface dressing for safety reasons. The work will be carried out by Norfolk County Council’s Community & Environmental Services Dept and their contractors.

The BBC would like to alert you to an opportunity to volunteer your time to assist at the Radio 1 Academy – a week of workshops and activities aimed at young people interested in the music, film and digital industries, ahead of Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Taking place from 9-15 May at Open in Norwich and run by BBC Learning, the Radio 1 Academy will welcome thousands of young people, mainly 16-19 year olds, to take part in workshops, learn from professionals and help inspire future careers in music, journalism, gaming, film and television.

The Academy will require help with some roles assisting in the workshops. These roles will be coordinated by the BBC. Please send your details and fill in the attached application form to the BBC to register your interest now.

Please note: You have to be over 18 to apply and working hours would be up to a maximum of 8 hours per day including a lunch break. The BBC will cover all expenses including travel and lunch.

Please email [email protected] by 20th April with the required details.

Download the application form here

The A47 will be closed at Postwickfrom 8pmtomorrow night (Thursday 16 April) for preparatory work ahead of the weekendclosure of the road for bridge beam lifts.

The Thursday night closure will be lifted no later than 6am on Friday, 17 April,or as soon as the work has finished. It is hoped that it will be completed in the early hours of Friday.

Unfortunately, for eastbound traffic (towards Great Yarmouth) the diversion using the Postwick junction slip roads and new access roads (see weekend closure, below)will not be available. A47 traffic heading east on Norwich Southern Bypass will therefore be diverted at the Trowse junction, with a lengthy diversion route using the A146, A143, and A12, re-joiningthe A47 at Vauxhall roundabout.

Westbound traffic will be diverted using the Postwick junction slip roads, so will not be significantly affected.

Commenting on the Liberal Democrat Party manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“It is good to see that the Liberal Democrats’ policy proposals include a commitment to investing in infrastructure, improving access to finance by expanding the Business Bank, and greater support for firms to grow apprenticeship numbers.Companies also badly want to see the promised ‘broad and well considered business rates review’ materialise.

“Continued Liberal Democrat opposition to expansion of airport capacity is short-sighted when the need is so critical.

“Businesses will also be concerned by a number of Lib Dem tax proposals. Restricting entrepreneurs’ relief, hiking dividend taxes and slashing annual allowances for Capital Gains Tax, could have a chilling effect on growth. The last thing the UK needs is tax changes that discourage entrepreneurial risk-taking by startup and growth companies.”

Commenting on the Conservative Party manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Companies across the UK will welcome Conservative policy proposals on fiscal discipline, low taxation, infrastructure projects, and support for enterprise and regional growth.

“A majority of the businesses we survey continue to support the Prime Minister’s ambition to re-cast Britain’s relationship with the EU, and to hold a referendum on the result.

“Raiding pensions savings, even to pay for a business priority like expanded access to childcare, will dismay entrepreneurs, for whom long-term rewards are often more important than short-term pay. Political intervention in regulated markets, such as rail fares, could have negative impacts on investment, as could proposals for new employment regulations around corporate volunteering.

“The housing crunch is a brake on business growth and employment in many parts of the UK. Yet the problem isn’t whether we’re selling enough houses, but whether we are building enough of them.”

• Annual CPI inflation in March 2015 was 0.0%, unchanged from February
• Goods price inflation in March 2015 was -2.1%, while services inflation was 2.4%

Commenting on the CPI inflation figures for March 2015 published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Continued low inflation is good news for the economy, particularly at a time when wage increases are modest and businesses are facing challenges. Contrary to expectations inflation has remained unchanged, however there is still is distinct possibility of deflation in coming months.

“If deflation is to emerge it should be short-term because of the strength of the UK’s largest sector, the service sector, where inflation remains above 2%.

“The main cause of low inflation in the economy is the fall in energy and food prices, which will help to ease cost pressures for consumers and businesses, and will support economic growth.

“To sustain business confidence we need a firm commitment from the MPC to keep interest rates on hold until at least early 2016.”

Abellio Greater Anglia is advising rail passengers that there will now be far fewer alterations to weekend train travel over the coming weeks and months, now that Network Rail has completed essential track and overhead line upgrades on the Great Eastern Main Line (between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London) which took place over eight weekends between 31 January / 1 February and 21 / 22 March.

Saturday services

There are now no further significant engineering works affecting Saturday services on the Norwich / Ipswich / Colchester to London Liverpool Street route this Spring or Summer, including the three upcoming Bank Holiday weekends of May Day Holiday Saturday (2 May ) and Spring Bank Holiday Saturday (23 May).

The exception being a small number of early morning and late evening services on 25 April which will involve a bus replacement service for part of the journey.

Sunday services

On Sundays over the coming weeks, other than Bank Holiday weekends, most services are also operating free of engineering works, although rail passengers are advised to check before they travel as some early morning and late evening services will include a bus replacement for part of the journey.

Looking ahead

Looking further ahead, the good news for passengers on the Great Eastern Main Line is that with the exception of the works on 3/4 May and 24/25 May, weekend/bank holiday travel is now largely free of significant disruptive engineering work for the rest of the year, other than some late night Saturday and early morning Sunday services.

Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Director, Abellio Greater Anglia said: “There are now many more opportunities for rail passengers to travel without any planned service alterations at weekends this Spring, including on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Customers can obtain full details of train times and great ideas for a day-out in London from our website or by enquiring at our stations.”

Full information on train times and service alterations is available at: www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk .

Customers planning to travel at weekends or Bank Holidays are advised to check before they travel.

Commenting on Labour’s manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Businesses will be encouraged by a number of the policy propositions in the Labour Party manifesto, notably around investment, access to finance, and training. Firms will welcome the clearer commitment to fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction that features prominently in Labour’s manifesto.

“However, future business success also relies on a supportive tax and regulatory regime. Some of the Labour Party’s tax and regulatory proposals would dissuade enterprise, aspiration, and business growth – and need to be re-thought.

“Above all, businesses tell us they want all political parties to put the long-term national interest above short-term electoral interest. Sound and deliverable policies will be our litmus test for any incoming government, whatever its political colour.”

The A47 will be closed at Postwick, at the eastern end of Norwich Southern Bypass, on at least three weekends to allow eight 114-metre bridge beams to be lifted into place. The provisional dates have now been confirmed, but it is hoped thatthe final (fourth) weekend closure will not be necessary. Warning signs about the closures are in the process of being placed as far away as Newmarket bypass and King’s Lynn to give motorists a chance to plan ahead and change their route.

Traffic will be diverted around the slip roads and new business park access roads, so motorists are warned to use another route if possible, or to be prepared for significant delays.

Eastbound (towards Great Yarmouth) A47 traffic will be diverted on to the new access roads that will serve the expanded Broadland Business Park and new Broadland Gate business areas. This route will include five roundabouts before traffic rejoins the A47. Temporary traffic lights may be used to assist traffic flow.

Westbound (towards Dereham and King’s Lynn) A47 traffic will have a shorter diversion, but this will pass through works on the new Oaks Lane roundabout and the major junction at the southern end of the existing and new (under construction) bridges over the A47.

Westbound traffic will be particularly disrupted on the second weekend. On this weekend thebridgebeams cannot be lifted by crane from the compound and will have to be transported on to the A47 itself. Each movement will cause delays of up to 20 minutes on the westbound diversion route.

Weekend One – 17 to 20 April Westbound carriageway to close at 8pm on Friday 17 April. Eastbound carriageway to close after football traffic has cleared (about 11pm). Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 20 April.

Weekend Two – 24 to 27 April Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 24 April. There will be off-peak delays on the westbound diversion route while beams are moved from the site compound on to the A47 itself. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 27 April.

Early May Bank Holiday weekend No closure on the Bank Holiday weekend, which includes the Norwich City home match against Fulham on 2 May.

Weekend Three – 8 to 11 May Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 8 May. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 11 May.

Weekend Four – 15 to 18 May This weekend closure may be necessary depending upon progress. The decision on whether or not this closure will be used will be publicised as soon as possible.

On all weekends, the A47 will be reopened earlier whenever possible. In addition to the weekend closures, a number of overnight A47 closures will be required over the summer.

Local Diversions As well as the main A47 diversions, there will be a number of local diversions because of restrictions imposed to ease the flow of divertedA47 traffic.

The existing bridge carrying the A1042over the A47 will be closed southbound. Tocross the A47, traffic to Postwick villagewill be diverted along the A47 to the Cucumber Lane roundabout.

This bridge may also be closed northbound, if this is necessary to ease congestion on the main diversion route. If this happens, to cross the A47 local traffic will be diverted along the A47 to the Trowse junction. Local buses, cyclists and pedestrians will be escorted through theA1042 bridge closure.

On Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way will be closed at the roundabout with Broadland Way. Business park traffic will have to use Cranley Road and Broadland Way instead.

Postwick Park & Ride Postwick Park & Ride site will remain closed on A47 closure weekends to reduce pressure on the diversion routes, and because reliable running of the buses will sometimes be impossible to achieve. The nearest alternative site is Harford at the A47/A140 junction.

A larger map is attached and further updates will be posted onNorfolk County Council’s website atwww.norfolk.gov.uk/postwickand willbe publicised on social media and throughfurther public information notices.

Following a number of campaign announcements on skills and careers advice, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The career prospects of Britain’s young people depend on bridging the gap between the world of education and the world of work. Universal careers advice would help, but only as part of a much wider engagement between local schools, colleges and businesses that helps young people see the possibilities for dynamic and rewarding careers.

“Historically, careers advice has been stale and formulaic. We need to fix that broken model – with constant engagement between local business and schools, a business governor in every school across the UK, and universal experience of the working world too. The current model of a couple of weeks – out of someone’s whole time in school – simply doesn’t cut it. Young people need meaningful exposure to the world of work. Only then will we have young people leaving school ready for work, and businesses getting access to people with the skills they need to grow.

“Chambers of Commerce are already bridging the gap between schools and businesses. We want the next government to work with us to step-change the role that local firms play in schools and colleges, so that the decades-long stand-off between the education sector and employers turns into a mutual commitment to success.”

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey is the first major economic indicator of the year, and is closely watched by the Bank of England and the Treasury.
• Norfolk’s manufacturing and services firms reported somewhat weaker Q1 results in most areas (including exports, domestic markets and investment), but this follows strong findings in Q4 2014.
• John Longworth says that “while it is a fact that growth in the economy continues these figures are a reminder that the path to great, sustainable, long-term growth is bumpy and challenging. As the general election approaches support for growth must be at the heart of the debate, with a much needed focus on boosting exports and business investment”.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – one of Britain’s largest and most authoritative private business surveys based on more than 7,500 responses from firms, employing around 850,000 people – shows that manufacturing and services firms reported slightly weaker growth for the start of 2015.

While the Q1 2015 results show weaker balances in most areas compared with Q4 2014, quarter-on-quarter trends support our view that the economy is growing at a steady rate. However, balances are lower in the key areas of export sales and investment, which are crucial to the rebalancing of our economy.

Norfolk key findings in the Q1 2015 Quarterly Economic Survey:

• After strong increases recorded in Q4 2014, almost all the Norfolk balances for both manufacturing and services weakened in Q1.
• In both sectors, a number of key Q1 balances are now lower than their pre-recession levels in 2007.
• In Norfolk’s manufacturing, domestic balances were reduced; domestic sales (+12%, down from +13% in Q4 2014,) and domestic orders (+8%, down from +14% in Q4 2014).
• In services, the domestic balances were mixed; domestic sales (+35%, down from +51% in Q4 2014) but domestic orders increased (+29%, up from +17%).
• Most export balances weakened in Q1 2015; manufacturing export sales fell by 9 points to +21%, while service export sales fell considerably by 44 points to +16%.
• Both manufacturing and services firms have lowered their investment intentions for training, as well as plant and machinery.

The only exceptions to the general pattern of quarterly falls in the Q1 balances are a small rise in Norfolk’s service sector balance for profitability confidence (+59%, up from +31% in Q4 2014) and an increased balance in Norfolk’s manufacturing firms who were operating at full capacity (+38% from +27% in Q4 2014).

Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“As the General Election draws closer, with one of the most difficult results to predict – this uncertainty is reflected in the Norfolk QES results. Whilst the survey results are still positive, there is a large element of caution as the Norfolk business community waits to see what the impact will be of any decisions the future Government makes.

The manufacturing sector is reporting reduced sales and orders both for the UK and overseas markets and has advised of lower rates of recruitment this quarter. Confidence in turnover and profitability are also down and raw material prices are expected to increase prices. On the more positive side, the sector expects to recruit more, cash flow is improving and more companies are operating at full capacity.

The service sector was more confident of its exporting abilities, with sales and orders both increasing, but there were mixed results for home sales and orders, with sales being reduced and orders increasing. The number of companies trying to recruit was down and the service sector also expects to have to raise their prices. Despite this, confidence in turnover and profitability improved.

Despite the pace slacking from the previous quarter, Norfolk’s business community will continue to work hard to succeed; to bring jobs, economic growth and prosperity to our region.”

John Longworth, Director General of the BCC said:

“It is not a huge surprise to see slightly weaker numbers at the start of the year, after a very strong fourth quarter for many firms. Crucially, our survey demonstrates that businesses remain optimistic, though they expect to grow at a slightly slower rate over the coming months.

Our conclusions are by no means a cause for alarm, but they are a salutary reminder that the UK still faces obstacles on the path to sustainable, long-term growth. Unless support for exports and business investment is placed at the heart of any future government, consumption and government spending will continue to drive an economic recovery that is unbalanced and unsustainable.

With these results in hand, our message to the politicians is simple: the national interest must come before short-term political point scoring. Given that all parties agree that the UK needs to strengthen its trade performance, and that we need to encourage our businesses to invest more, these should be issues that unite – rather than divide – the parties over the weeks ahead.”

David Kern, Chief Economist of the BCC said:

“After unusually strong results in Q4 2014, almost all the national balances weakened in Q1 2015, for both manufacturing and services. But taking the QES results for the last two quarters together probably gives a more representative picture of the business outlook.

It is disappointing that most Q1 balances recorded quarterly falls, and some are lower than the 2007 pre-recession levels, however the balances still point to solid economic growth continuing in 2015. While the national balances of our survey reflect accurately the overall momentum in economic activity, they do not necessarily replicate quarterly GDP movements as published by the ONS. It would not be surprising if the ONS reports an upturn in GDP growth, or at least an unchanged position, in Q1 2015.

But the UK recovery remains unbalanced – growth is still too reliant on consumer spending and the current account deficit remains unsustainable. While a healthy consumer sector is vital for the economy’s wellbeing, much greater efforts are needed to increase the contributions of exports and capital investment to Britain’s growth. The Q1 2015 results show falling inflationary pressures, particularly in manufacturing, and easing pressures on capacity; this reinforces our view that the MPC must maintain interest rates at their current low level at least until early in 2016.”

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has recently published their UK Monthly Economic Review for April. (Based on March 2015 data releases)

This briefing provides an easy-to-use commentary on the key economic indicators for UK businesses. The report also provides a comparison between the economic data compiled by external organisations such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the BCC’s own Quarterly Economic Survey and economic forecast.

This month’s headlines:

• UK GDP revised up in Q4 reflecting stronger than expected growth in the services sector.
• BCC and OBR upgrade growth forecasts, aided by falling inflation and unemployment.
• UK economy remains imbalanced with current account deficit at record high.

To read the full report click here.