Yellow Warning of Rain West Midlands

The met office have issued a Yellow Warning of Rain for West Midlands 

Yellow Warning of Rain for West Midlands : Herefordshire & Worcestershire valid from 1200 Tue 14 May to 0600 Wed 15 May

The Met Office advise that the public should be aware that persistent and often heavy rainfall spreading from the southwest has the potential to cause some difficult driving conditions through Tuesday.  Surface water flooding is likely on stretches of the road network, and in places strong winds will lead to considerable spray.

More information can be found on Weather Warnings at http://www.birminghamprepared.gov.uk/advice/specific-risks/met-office-severe-weather-warnings/

Cyber Attacks Increasing and Hitting Small Firms

The gov.uk government website writes:

Research commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), revealed that the number of cyber attacks hitting businesses has increased over the last year.

The Information Security Breaches Survey found some attacks caused more than £1 million of damage.

It showed 87% of small firms experienced a security breach last year, up 10%. 93% of large organisations had also been targeted.

To help guard against these attacks, which can cost a small business 6% of its turnover, government is offering further funding and guidance.

The Technology Strategy Board has extended a scheme to allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid for up to £5,000 to improve their cyber security.

BIS is also publishing a guide to help small businesses improve their cyber security and make it part of their business risk management process.

Harborne High Street – Fire

http://www.birminghamprepared.gov.uk/?p=4450

Update as at 14:45hrs

The Fire Service has confirmed 3 pumps remain at scene whilst damping down and fire investigation team continue their work.  Police, gas and electricity companies are still in attendance.  Harborne High Street has now reopened but one lane remains closed.  There may continue to be some localised traffic disruption in the area.

No further updates will be provided.

Update as at 11:10hrs

The Fire Service have confirmed they continue to have a large resource at the Fire on Harborne High Street.  Road closures and diversions remain in place. However, the Fire Service are expecting to scale down their response.

Update as at 0830hrs, 2nd May

Emergency Services are dealing with a fire believed to have started  in Stead and Simpson. Police have put road diversions in place; from Harborne High Street at Albany Road to Nursery Road. Expect delays and listen to local radio for updates. At this stage we have not been advised of any casualties.

New Street Station Gateway – changes from 28th April

On Sunday 28th  April 2013, everything changes at New Street as the project reaches the half way point. The concourse and the existing entrances you use today will close and three new entrances will open into the first half of your new station. Although the atrium won’t be unveiled until the end of the project in 2015, the first half of the station will have all of the facilities you expect, plus new lifts and escalators to every platform to improve access.

Important information for pedestrians

The existing concourse entrance off Smallbrook Queensway will close; you can either walk along the new walkway (beneath the Odeon) which will take you around to the new entrance on Stephenson Street. Alternatively, the link bridge connecting the Bullring to the Pallasades shopping centre will remain open, providing an indoor route into the shopping centre and down the new escalators taking you in to the new concourse. The existing Pallasades escalators will close as part of our second phase of station refurbishment.

If you currently use the Victoria Square exit on Navigation Street, the new entrance on Stephenson Street is just 1 minute walk away.

Important information for vehicle users

The vehicle drop off and pick up at the front of the station off Smallbrook Queensway closes at the same time as the existing concourse. The new vehicle drop and go will be located on Hill Street, if you’re driving to the station to either drop someone off or short stay park. The taxi pick up point will remain in its existing location on this side of the city on Navigation Street.

Further information can be obtained from:  Network Rail National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41 or visit www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk

World Health Organisation (WHO) Risk Assessment – Human infections with influenza A(H7N9) virus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a risk assessment on the Influenza A(H7N9) virus. Extract from the WHO website as follows:

“In the past few weeks, WHO has received from China reports of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus. The influenza A(H7N9) virus is one subgroup among the larger group of H7 viruses, which normally circulate among birds. Human infections with other subgroups of H7 influenza viruses (H7N2, H7N3, and H7N7) have previously been reported in the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, United States of America, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Most of these infections occurred in association with poultry outbreaks. The infections mainly resulted in conjunctivitis and mild upper respiratory symptoms, with the exception of one death, which occurred in the Netherlands. These recent reports from China are the first cases of human infection with H7N9 viruses.”

For more information and to download the WHO risk assessment visit:

http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/influenza_h7n9/en/index.html