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How might new building safety regulations affect your business or investments?
National Express Coventry extends £2 single fare cap until the end of 2024 Bus users in Coventry will be able to continue to enjoy discounted single bus fares after National Express Coventry confirmed its continued participation in the Government’s £2 single fare cap scheme until the end of 2024. The Government initiative, which first launched in January 2023 as part of the Government’s Help for Households scheme, has been warmly received by customers across Coventry and the wider West Midlands with 12.5 million National Express bus passenger journeys made using the single fare offer since the beginning of the year. Anybody making three or more journeys a day continue to benefit from great value day tickets at £4.50, providing unlimited travel on all buses within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses. National Express Coventry passengers using contactless can Tap and Cap and will find their fare cap is automatically applied so they never pay more than they should - as long as they tap on with the same card or device. Alex Jensen, CEO for National Express UK, Ireland and Germany, said: “Bus is by far the most popular form of public transport here in Coventry and the wider West Midlands, so we are pleased to be working with Transport for West Midlands and the Department for Transport to extend the £2 single ticket until the end of 2024.
In August 2023, the Government comprehensively revised and altered different aspects of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 and various building regulations. These changes took effect on 1st October 2023. The property experts at Askews Legal LLP have outlined the key points to be aware of.
Details of the new building safety regulations • Building (Approved Inspectors etc and Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2023 – these amendments to the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2010 designate the Building Safety Regulator as the sole building control authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs). • Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 – these regulations provide indepth specifics regarding the building control framework for HRBs during their design and construction phases or when alterations are made to existing HRBs. • Building Regulations etc (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 – this regulation amends the Building Regulations 2010 to support the new control regime for HRBs. Notable changes encompass Regulation 6, introducing a new Part 2A, "Dutyholders and competence," into the BR 2010.
• The Building Safety Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments etc) Regulations – these regulations make consequential adjustments to various miscellaneous statutes and orders. In conjunction with the introduction of these regulations, the Government also issued its response to the consultation on changes to the building control system under the BSA 2022 and relevant regulations. These changes are primarily focused on Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), with the Government stressing its intention to impose additional requirements on all parties involved in the design and construction of HRBs.
An overview of the changes Part 2A of the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 establishes new obligations and competence standards for clients, designers, and contractors. These requirements apply to all projects subject to the Building Regulations 2010. Clients are responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing the project in a way that meets compliance with the Building Regulations 2010. Designers and contractors cannot be employed until the client can confidently state that they meet the required competence standards. Principal designers and principal contractors with a coordinating role must fulfil further conditions before accepting or appointing their own contractors.
“That’s why it’s so important we keep fares low and affordable, which is exactly what today’s confirmation by National Express Coventry does. We already have some of the lowest and simplest bus fares in the UK, and now this £2 cap allows us to go even further. “Ultimately, we want more people to use our buses to help cut congestion and carbon emissions. That’s why we have provided £40 million to keep bus services going during this challenging time, are building miles of dedicated bus lanes to make services more reliable and attractive, and are investing in measures such as the try-before-you-buy incentive scheme.” The £2 adult fare cap will continue to be available to all customers purchasing single tickets via the National Express Bus mTicket app or on-board using cash or contactless between now and the end of 2024.
For more information, visit www.nxbus.co.uk/coventry
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If you require legal advice concerning building safety or residential/commercial property development, email enquiries@askewslegal.co Please note that this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Telegraph Hotel’s drive to be greener General Manager Brett Wilks, has seen it go even further. The hotel has installed bird boxes around the rooftop to encourage wildlife and preservation within the city centre, as well as planting lavender and other pollinating plants to attract bees during the summer months, promoting biodiversity.
“More people using buses is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for wider society. Bus travel is simple, cheap and easy and there’s never been a better time to get onboard.” Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Buses are the backbone of public transport in the West Midlands, connecting communities and accounting for tens of thousands of journeys every single day.
To meet these competence requirements, individual contractors or designers must possess the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours to carry out their responsibilities. Those involved with the design and build must display the organisational competence to take on the project. Parties are likely to meet all the requirements; however, the amendments necessitate comprehensive documentation to establish a full audit trail.
Amy and Brett have created a green team, who actively promote environmentallyfriendly activity within the hotel to guests as well as driving new initiatives. Brett said: “We are committed to being proactive when it comes to the environment and the part we can play in reducing carbon emissions.
Coventry’s Telegraph Hotel has taken major steps to become one of the most environmentally-friendly venues in the region.
As such, the hotel writes to every guest encouraging them to reuse towels and switch off lights and TVs that are not in use, but also promotes recycling and even trying its vegan menu to cut down on emissions.
“The hotel itself is the very essence of recycling – taking an existing building within the city and transforming it into an iconic venue that is enjoyed by local people and visitors from across the world.
The Telegraph provides water stations throughout the hotel to allow visitors to fill up their own water bottles to cut down on plastic waste. It also provides yoga mats to allow guests to exercise.
“It is our mission to work with all of our staff and guests – be they individuals or businesses – to encourage them to be part of this drive to be the most environmentallyfriendly hotel we can be.
The four-star hotel, which features 88 bedrooms, an all-day bar and restaurant called Forme & Chase and a rooftop bar called Generators, is not only on a drive to increase business, it has made a commitment to become greener and reduce its carbon footprint, which has come down by 6.7 tonnes in the space of a year.
The team has introduced a green meetings package for businesses and organisations which are using the hotel for meetings and events, covering everything from low carbon lighting and heating through to flipcharts made from recycled material. Its menu is even tailored to offer the most environmentally-friendly snacks and lunches.
“That is about getting all of the basics right – such as cutting down on laundry and unnecessary use of energy – but also looking at every area of the business and seeing if we can do more.
It currently holds Bronze accreditation with Green Tourism and its 68-strong team has implemented a series of measures to go even further.
The Telegraph Hotel’s commitment towards sustainability does not stop there and a range of other initiatives, led by General Manager Amy Windsor and Deputy
The city centre hotel opened its doors in 2021 after £20 million investment and in just two years it has made itself a hit with visitors to Coventry looking for a place to stay as well as with guests and businesses within the region.
“We’ve come a long way in a very short s pace of time but we are determined to do even more because it is vital that every business plays its part.” For more information or to view the Telegraph Hotel’s green policy go to www.telegraph-hotel.com/green-policy/
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