UPDATE:Bus services across Gedling borough that were affected are now running again.
Passengers using a number of bus services across the borough are being told to expect cancellations and delays today as a failed overnight software update has resulted in electric vehicles being taken off the road.
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) issued an alert to passengers at 07.59am this morning, warning them to expect disruption on a number of routes served by electric vehicles.
Borough services affected are:
39, 50, 53, 53B, 54, 54B and 61
An NCT spokesman said: “An overnight software update to our electric buses has failed, which has prevented some buses from entering service.
“The vehicle manufacturer is working with us to resolve the issue and has fixed the glitch on around half of them, which are now leaving the garage to start service.
“There will be cancellations and delays on these service until all buses are in service and the issue fully resolved. Thanks for your understanding and sorry for the inconvenience caused.
You can see the latest service updates on Nottingham City Transport’s website https://www.nctx.co.uk/ or app.
A huge underground water tank has been completed in Carlton to protect borough residents from flooding and also sewage spills going into the River Trent.
Severn Trent has now installed a massive underground storage tank which is hidden from view underneath the car park of the Richard Herrod Centre on Foxhill Road.
The water firm said the new tank will ‘take the strain’ when there’s heavy rainfall, reducing the pressure on the local sewage network.
It’s estimated the new tank will hold more than 500,000 litres of rainwater during periods of heavy rain across the borough.
James Jesic, Capital Delivery and Commercial Director at Severn Trent, added: “The new hidden storm water tank in Carlton will serve as a blueprint for the improvements we’re making across our region to move at pace to reduce the use of storm overflows.
“As all the improvements get up and running, the benefits of this work will be seen in the year ahead.”
The water and wastewater company also confirmed that now 1,500 storage tanks have been installed, the average amount of spills from storm overflows is expected to fall by over 25% to reach an average of 18 per year by December.
To keep customers updated, Severn Trent has launched an interactive map where anyone can track progress in real time and see what investments are planned. They can be seen here: www.stwater.co.uk/rivers-and-your-community
New laws are being introduced to help prevent young people from accessing dangerous knives online.
Stricter rules for online retailers selling knives will be introduced by the government, along with tougher penalties for those failing to enforce them.
Retailers will soon be required to report any bulk or suspicious-looking purchases of knives on their platforms to police to prevent illegal resales happening across social media accounts.
The sentence for selling weapons to under 18s will also be increased. It will rise from six months to up to two years prison time. This could apply to an individual who has processed the sale or even a CEO of the company.
This increased penalty will also apply to the sale or supply of prohibited offensive weapons such as recently banned zombie-style knives, following police evidence that identified a discrepancy in current legislation means there is more leniency for illegally selling weapons than possessing one.
A new offence of possessing an offensive weapon with intent for violence will be introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill which will carry a sentence of up to four years in prison. This means that no matter if the weapon in possession is legal or not, if there is intent to cause violence, it will be viewed as a crime.
The new measures will collectively be known as ‘Ronan’s Law’ in honour of Ronan Kanda who was tragically killed in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity near his home in Wolverhampton aged 16.
Ronan’s killers, who were also teenagers, illegally bought lethal weapons online and collected them from the Post Office on the day of the attack, with no age or identity verification taking place. It was later revealed that one of Ronan’s teenage killers had bought more than 20 knives online, including by using his mother’s ID.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “It is horrifying how easy it is for young people to get hold of knives online even though children’s lives are being lost, and families and communities are left devastated as a result.
“Not enough has been done to tackle the online market over recent years which is why we made it an urgent priority in our manifesto and the measures today will be underpinned by investment for a new dedicated police unit to go after those who are breaking the law and putting children and teenagers lives at risk.
“We are honouring our commitment to introduce Ronan’s Law in memory of Ronan Kanda who was tragically killed in 2022. I am so grateful to the Kanda family for their endless perseverance in ensuring governments take the right actions to protect young people from further tragedy.”
Last Autumn, the Home Secretary commissioned National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Knife Crime, Commander Stephen Clayman to conduct an end-to-end review into the sale of knives online. The review exposed lethal loopholes in the sale of knives online which are allowing dangerous weapons to end up in the wrong hands.
The review highlighted the lack of minimum standards for age verification and delivery checks.
Commander Stephen Clayman said: “The evidence in the end-to-end review clearly demonstrates just how easy it is for anyone to purchase a knife online, often avoiding any age verification at all, or where it is in place, exploiting vulnerabilities, especially with delivery.”
A handler has shared his grief following the sudden passing of a ‘much-loved’ police dog who helped tackle crime across Gedling borough.
PD Rambo, an eight -year-old Belgian Malinois renowned for his bravery and loyalty, fell seriously ill at the end of last week and died at the weekend following treatment by a specialist vets team and with his handler at his side.
Rambo was brought to the force from Holland in 2018 and has been partnered with his handler PC James Coupland ever since.
The duo spent many hundreds of hours together on patrol and quickly established a reputation as a highly effective crime-fighting team.
Car thieves, drug dealers and violent criminals were among those to come face-to-face with Rambo, who became well-known to viewers of Channel 4’s Police Interceptors series.
As recently as last week the dog ran after and detained two runaway suspects.
Police dog Rambo in full flightRambo passed away over the weekend following a short illness
“Rambo was more than just a dog to me. He was my best friend and the greatest colleague to have by my side for many years.
PC James Coupland
Back in 2022, Rambo hit the headlines after chasing down a suspected police in Arnold.
A suspect had fled from the car but was chased down and detained by Rambo, who was struck several times around the head as his handler rushed to the scene.
Rambo lost some fur during the incident but was otherwise uninjured.
Rambo’s handler PC James Coupland said: “Rambo was more than just a dog to me. He was my best friend and the greatest colleague to have by my side for many years.
“I will be forever grateful to him for his company, and for always making sure that we went home safely to our family at the end of each shift.
“He was my greatest challenge but he was always the key figure in our greatest achievements”
If plans submitted by developer Grenergy are approved, a BESS site would be built on green fields at Burton Wood Farm, off Spring Lane.
A public meeting was held on Monday, January 27, organised by a local opposition group, giving residents the opportunity to raise their concerns about the safety of the site and potential environmental damage.
More than 250 objections have been submitted by members of the public to Gedling Borough Council over plans.
Now MP Payne has joined calls for plans to be rejected.
In a letter to the authority he wrote: “There appears to be no substantive justification – in the form of Very Special Circumstances – for the unacceptable impact this proposed development would have on the openness of the green belt”
PICTURED: Land earmarked for the new BESS site near Lambley (IMAGE: Google)
“The proposed Battery Energy Storage System is not a facility for the increased production of energy from renewable energy sources, it is an energy storage system. It is therefor highly questionable as to whether ‘very special circumstances’ are met by this proposed facility within the green belt, which would have an overbearing and significant impact on historic open green space and agricultural land in the immediate surrounds of Lambley village.”
He also raised concerns about flood risk, fire risk and noise pollution.
He concluded “I would implore Gedling Borough Council to seriously consider the negative impact of allowing such a development at this location.”
BESS are being built across the UK to help balance the electricity grid, which is becoming increasingly powered by renewables.
The systems hold electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind turbines and solar farms.
Developer Grenergy said that fire safety and preventing noise pollution would be at the ‘forefront of all considerations’ at the proposed site.
They also claimed the site would power 300,000 Houses per hour and save 1.77 tonnes of carbon over a 40-year period
In a statement on their website they said: “BESS sites are under frequent scrutiny regarding fire safety, due to the large quantities of lithium-ion batteries in a confined space.
“Engagement with local fire authority and planning authority with emergency response plans, fire water management strategies and fire safety management plans. Separation distances or thermal barriers are being placed between all equipment, including the battery containers.
In response to fears around noise pollution they said: “The batteries themselves produce very little noise, however, cooling fans are required to maintain the batteries at the correct temperature emit some noise. With any planning application a detailed noise assessment is completed to ensure the plant causes no detriment to local sound levels.”
What is a battery energy storage system
Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) use batteries, for example lithium-ion batteries, to store electricity at times when supply is higher than demand. They can then later release electricity when it is needed.
What are ‘Very Special Circumstances’ when it comes to planning?
If a proposed development has the potential to ‘provide significant environmental benefits’ or ‘enhance the visual amenity of the area’, it could be considered a very special circumstance for granting planning permission in the Green Belt.
Nottinghamshire political leaders have welcomed the merging of councils in the Government’s proposed plans to overhaul local authorities, but they say Nottingham City Council’s borders should not be expanded.
The Labour Government’s English Devolution White Paper from December 2024 supported giving powers back to local areas through the creation of more “strategic authorities” and new combined councils.
These would replace the existing ‘two-tier’ structures like here in Nottinghamshire, where services are split between lower and upper-tier councils.
Nottingham City Council is a unitary authority, meaning it has sole responsibility for all the services in its area such as social care, waste collection and disposal and parks.
However, in the county, the ‘upper-tier’ county council is responsible for services such as social care, education and waste disposal.
In districts and boroughs, the seven, smaller lower-tier councils have responsibility for services like housing, planning, bin collections and parks.
Abolishing the two-tier structure would mean all seven of Nottinghamshire’s district and boroughs could disappear by 2027 or 2028.
The leaders of the county’s councils saw the suggested nine options for local government reorganisation in Nottinghamshire last Friday (February 14).
The first was a ‘super council’, which would cover the city and county.
The second would see the City Council remain, with the county taking on the services run by the districts and boroughs, meaning boundaries would remain similar.
The remaining options discussed city expansion, which includes varying degrees of the city expanding into Gedling, Broxtowe or Rushcliffe.
But this later option was something rejected by Councillor Sam Smith (Con), who’s the leader of the county council.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “If the city [council] take over their areas they’re going to lose access to services, access to libraries, get worse care and pay more tax.
“That is the strongest reason why I’m not in favour of city expansion – it means worse services.”
He added if a reorganisation of the councils in the county can “smooth” out and “streamline” services to create a “one-stop shop” for residents accessing council services, then he supports the changes.
Cllr Neil Clarke (Con), who’s leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, added: “My immediate priority is to protect the residents of Rushcliffe and the good services they receive.
“Any suggestion that our area would be combined into the city would result in a severely reduced standard of service and their tax would go up.
“It’s completely unacceptable talking about Rushcliffe becoming a part of the City.”
In a statement, Rushcliffe’s Labour MP, James Naish, said “financially sustainable authorities” need to be created in line with the government’s plans.
He believes “limited changes” to existing boundaries can be achieved.
However, he noted the higher ‘tax pull’ in the south of Nottinghamshire compared with the north, where service demand is “higher in the north”.
For example, more than half of all homes in Mansfield are of the lower Band A council tax banding, whereas greater numbers of Rushcliffe homes are in Band D and above.
The MP says that this would mean a ‘North Notts Council’ would find it harder to ‘pay its way’.
Nottingham City Council was approached for comment on the proposed changes.
A spokesman referred the Local Democracy Reporting Service back to the joint statement made on behalf of all the councils on February 7, which reads: “Councils have until March 21 to submit initial plans and preparatory work across all nine local authorities have already started.
“This is the biggest shake-up of local government in 50 years and following the initial plan, councils will be asked to submit their final proposals by 28 November.
“All nine councils will continue to work together in the public interest, exploring all options available that meet the Government’s requirements.”
A vacant church in Arnold is due to be converted into apartments after permission was granted by the borough council.
Cross Street Baptist Church will be redeveloped into nine flats after plans were submitted by 9 Property Group Ltd to Gedling Borough Council.
The plans, granted by the council on Thursday (February 13), also include another 14 apartments being built in a new four-storey building next to the revamped church, meaning there will be 23 new apartments in total.
The church was built in 1909, replacing a previous chapel that was built in 1825, but it closed in 2020.
A two-storey extension at the south of the church believed to have been attached to the previous chapel and acted as school rooms will be partly retained in plans, with the very east section to be demolished.
A report on the plans say the building has been vandalised, and several windows have been broken and damaged.
An environmental health officer says the applicant “will need to put measures in place to reduce the likelihood of trespassing during the construction phase”.
In the church conversion, there will be five duplex apartments, with three one-bed and two, two-beds, along with four single-storey apartments with one as a two-bed and the rest with one bedroom.
The single-storey flats will be on the ground floor, and the two-storey duplexes on the first floor.
Included in the work is new access at the first floor level and a new staircase leading to the walkway.
The new build block will include a private patio and garden area. No parking spaces will be provided as the site slopes downwards.
Three of the apartments come under ‘first homes’ and two are affordable rent.
The cryptocurrency market has revolutionised the way assets are traded, offering dynamic opportunities for traders to engage with digital assets in real time. As this ecosystem grows, it is crucial to understand the nuances of crypto trading, the strategies that drive success, and the risks involved.
What is Crypto Trading?
Cryptocurrency trading is the process of buying and selling crypto assets to profit from price fluctuations. Unlike traditional markets, cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7 and are decentralized, allowing direct transactions or those facilitated by intermediaries such as brokers. Many brokers enhance accessibility through a cryptocurrency broker program, providing crypto exchange tools and support for beginner and experienced traders.
Crypto trading platforms offer various methods to trade, including spot trading, where digital assets are traded at real-time prices, and CFD trading in crypto, allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Successful trading requires a solid understanding of crypto market analysis, which examines market trends and data to guide decision-making.
Common Crypto Trading Strategies
Traders adopt diverse strategies to capitalize on market opportunities. Below are some of the most widely used strategies:
Spot trading involves the immediate purchase or sale of cryptocurrencies at the current market price. It is straightforward and is often the starting point for those new to the market.
Scalping focuses on small, frequent profits by exploiting minor price fluctuations. Scalpers typically execute multiple trades within short time frames, requiring precision and discipline.
Swing trading targets medium-term price movements, with traders holding positions for several days or weeks. This approach combines crypto market analysis and market sentiment evaluation to identify potential trends.
Arbitrage involves buying a cryptocurrency on one exchange and selling it on another where the price is higher. This strategy takes advantage of price disparities across platforms.
Trend-following strategies aim to identify and capitalize on long-term market movements. Traders analyze broader price patterns and often use tools like technical analysis for crypto assets to confirm trends and refine entry and exit points.
Risks in Digital Asset Trading and Methods to Reduce Them
Volatility in crypto markets makes them a high-risk environment. Below are the key risks and methods to reduce them:
Market volatility. Sudden and unpredictable price movements can lead to significant gains or losses. Traders can reduce this risk by setting stop-loss orders and using strategies that align with their risk tolerance.
Liquidity risks. Some cryptocurrencies lack sufficient liquidity, making it challenging to buy or sell large amounts without affecting the market price. Diversifying portfolios to include high-liquidity assets can help manage this risk.
Regulatory uncertainty. Governments worldwide continue to shape their regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies. Sudden changes in regulations can impact market conditions. Staying informed about regulatory developments is crucial.
Security concerns. Breaches of crypto trading platforms and personal wallets remain a concern. Choosing secure platforms, enabling two-factor authentication, and storing assets in hardware wallets are effective ways to minimize risks.
Crypto trading offers immense opportunities, but it requires a clear understanding of market dynamics, effective strategies, and risk management. Whether engaging in spot trading or exploring advanced techniques like arbitrage, success hinges on a disciplined approach and informed decision-making.
People across Gedling borough are being warned about the latest phishing scam doing the rounds.
The scam involves fake emails that claim to be from Nottingham-based healthcare giant Boots.
The emails offer the recipients a free Medicare Kit.
The fraudulent messages, which have been reported locally and also more than 740 times nationally to Action Fraud in just two weeks.
The emails are designed to steal personal and financial information.
How the Scam Works
The scam emails tell recipients they have won a prize, such as a Medicare Kit, and contain links that lead to malicious websites.
Once clicked, these links direct users to fraudulent pages that closely mimic legitimate websites, tricking them into entering sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or personal identification.
There are a number of road closures in place across Gedling borough this week that drivers should be aware of.
Some roads are closed while others have lane closures. Temporary traffic measures or diversion routes may also be in place on roads in the region. Motorists are urged to make allowances for these closures and alter their travel arrangements if necessary.
If you’re planning to travel through the borough over the next few weeks take a look at the list below to see whether your journey will be affected.
Arnold
Laver Close, Arnold 18 February – 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach
Gedling Road, Arnold 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: National Grid
Nottingham Road, Arnold 20 February – 21 February Roadworks, Delays likely Responsibility for works: Openreach
Harwood Close, Arnold 20 February – 21 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Jermyn Drive, Arnold 20 February – 24 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach
Mansfield Road, Redhill 23 February Roadworks, Delays likely due to lane closure Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Lime Lane, Arnold 24 February Roadworks, Delays likely from Lodge Farm Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Wordsworth Road, Arnold 25 February – 27 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Bestwood
Mill Lane, Bestwood Village 18 February – 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Burton Joyce
Grove Close, Burton Joyce 22 February – 24 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach
Calverton
Bonner Lane, Calverton 24 February – 24 February Delays likely due to road closure from Bonner Hill to A6097 Oxton Bypass. Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Carlton
Oakdale Road, Carlton 19 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Towes Mount, Carlton 19 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Shipley Rise, Carlton 19 February – 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Oxford Street, Carlton 19 February – 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Forester Grove, Carlton 19 February – 04 March Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: National Grid
Southdale Road, Carlton 20 February – 21 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Towes Mount, Carlton 20 February – 21 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Buntings Lane, Carlton 24 February Delays likely due to road closure Responsibility for works: National Grid
Carlton Hill, Carlton 24 February – 25 February Roadworks, Delays likely for installation of bus shelter opposite Cromwell Street Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Ranmoor Road, Carlton 24 February – 27 February Delays likely due to road closure for patching repairs at the junction with Main Road Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Mayfield Road, Carlton 25 February – 28 February Delays likely due to road closure Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Carlton Hill, Carlton 26 February – 27 February Roadworks and delays likely Responsibility for works: Vodafone
Gedling
Arnold Lane, Gedling 21 February – 22 February Roadworks, Delays likely Responsibility for works: MBNL
Arnold Lane, Gedling 24 February Roadworks, Delays likely Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Beverley Gardens, Gedling 25 February – 26 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Lambley
Park Lane, Lambley 19 February – 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible for pothole repairs from just after entrance of Lambley Grane in easterly direction for approximately 100m. Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Linby
N/A
Mapperley
Hallam Road, Mapperley 25 February Delays likely due to road closure Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Mapperley Plains, Mapperley 25 February Roadworks, Delays possible to remove failed hawthorn between Chartwell Grove and Orchard Park Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Netherfield
N/A
Ravenshead
Nottingham Road, Ravenshead 24 February – 04 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Cadent
Vernon Crescent, Ravenshead 26 February – 27 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Virgin Media
Woodborough
Foxwood Lane, Woodborough 19 February – 20 February Delays possible for manhole repairs from Lammas Lodge Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Woodthorpe
Woodthorpe Drive, Woodthorpe 19 February – 20 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
