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Tony Cave Column: Derby disruption to impact Carlton services

Tony Cave
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Tony Cave Column: Derby disruption to impact Carlton services

NETHERFIELD: Throughout the summer the 08.51 to Skegness (08.48 Saturdays) will depart at 08.53 on Mondays and Fridays only.

Less people have been joining the 08.33 Liverpool recently, the average being 5 on and 4 off. However on Tues. 15th May, 14 joined.

Netherfield is cited as an alternative to Carlton, but people do not want to walk an extra quarter of a mile, and there is no disabled access or parking. Now if the 07.36 from Lincoln called at Carlton, people would use it. Poor old Netherfield station. People say “I thought Netherfield station was closed!” Even taxi drivers turn up at Carlton station when they should be at Netherfield. –

CARLTON — On Wednesday, May 9, I had an early start and saw all the trains between 06.01 and 09.05. Total of 9 trains and 99 passengers (85 on and 14 off). 7 joined the 06.01, and I have never seen more than three on this train at Carlton in past years. There were 21 on the 07.11 and 32 on the 08.08. The 09.05 is popular, as many as 26 joined this train on Tuesday, May 29 and most days numbers are in double figures. On Tuesday, May 22, I saw seven evening trains from the 16.55 to 18.23 and 83 passengers (65 off and 18 on). incidentally 76 passengers joined the 09.05 between Monday, June 11 and Friday, June 15.

DERBY STATION- UPGRADE OF TRACK AND SIGNALLING: This work takes place between July 22 and October 7. The clock is ticking!’ and this will affect anyone travelling to or via Derby during the above dates. Birmingham and Cardiff services from Nottingham will us a diversionary route, rejoining the usual route before Burton-upon-Trent. North East to South West services via Derby will also be diverted between Burton-upon-Trent and Chesterfield. For details see dby2018.co.uk Revised timetables for EMT trains have orange covers.

This is how the Newark to Matlock via Carlton service is affected


Replacement buses will run every 15 minutes between Nottingham and Derby and every 30 minutes between Derby and Matlock, when replacing trains. Between August 13. (3 weeks) and September 1 there will be no direct service from Carlton to Beeston except for the Lincoln to Leicester and Leicester to Lincoln trains which are unaffected. Trains from Nottingham to Beeston depart at 35 minutes past the hour (Leicester service) and between 7 and 12 minutes past from Beeston to Nottingham. 11.24 (Sat.), 16.19 (Sat.) 17.23 (Mon.- Fri.), 18.21 (Sat.) 18.23 (Mon.- Fri.) and 19.23 (Mon.- Fri.)are direct services Carlton to Beeston. 16.19 and 17.23 also call at Attenborough.

NEW EAST MIDLANDS FRANCHISE:The invitation to tender for this franchise, due to commence in August 2019, was released by the Government on June 7. There are three bidders: Stagecoach which currently runs the franchise, Abellio and Arriva. Trenitalia had previously withdrawn. The Department for Transport set out what they expect the new franchise holder to provide. This is usually increases in train services, speeding up of services and im-improvements for passengers at stations and on trains. RAIL Magazine issue 855, just published, gives a list which includes the Nottingham to London services having 20 minutes cut from the journey time, introduction of bi-mode trains (diesel and electric) by 2022, provide WiFi, improve seating and luggage on trains and improve Delay Repay by extending it to trains delayed by 15 mins. As regards our local services, not much is mentioned apart from the insistence that Lincoln to Leicester and Leicester to Lincoln trains are timed to pass each other at the flat crossing at Newark, to reduce the times when trains are unable to cross on the East Coast Main Line. The problem of this crossing was mentioned in the previously last month. The winning bidder will also be asked to write a business case for returning passenger services to the line from Shirebrook to Ollerrton.

Train_tickets
Train tickets, fare rise

In December 2021 it is proposed to run the Norwich to Liverpool service in two parts. The new franchise would run Norwich to Nottingham and either Northern or TransPennine from Nottingham to Liverpool. However the new franchise holder could look at running a service from Sheffield to Norwich via Nottingham. I have heard, but not seen it in print, that some Leicester to Lincoln services could run to Grimsby, giving an hourly Lincoln to Grimsby service, and also provide an hourly Lincoln to Doncaster service. There is a campaign to provide a station at Finningley on this line, to serve Robin Hood Airport. The winning bidder should be announced in April 2019.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Four of the single car class 153s are due to be transferred from Great Western to EMT. They may retain their green livery for a while, but will help the shortage we have whilst class 156 units are being refurbished. The 158s have also been refurbished. Some 153s are to be fitted with Wheel Slide Protection which will reduce the problem of ‘wheel flats’ caused by greasy rails in the leaf fall season, and thereby eliminating the time spent out of service having their wheels re-profiled

Repairs to fire damage at Nottingham station is due to be completed in July and all facilities reopened.

I have a copy of ‘Today’s Railways UK’ Magazine Rover Ticket Guide to Britain and Ireland. This runs to 32 pages and also includes Light Rail (trams) and Metro systems. Some Rovers qualify for reductions with a Rail Card. many of these Rover tickets are not shown on websites, but I will always have a copy with me

Gedling Station: The desire to make this into a community asset appears to be progressing satisfactorily and a new committee has been formed.

Carlton station car park: Work to improve the surface is still pending, but should go ahead soon

The centre of the flower bed will be given over to perennial flowers, which have deeper roots and so do not need watering every other day. This is a problem when we have a drought like at present (end of June). Incidentally, a couple of geraniums in the planters ‘disappeared’, so the remaining one is now in the main flower bed

New Derbyshire Connect Bus Service from Cromford Station. Bookable bus service available for anyone to travel within the Wirksworth and Ashbourne area, and enabling visits to the Southern Peak District including Carsington Water. derbyshire.gov.uk/derbyshireconnect

Sunday, August 19 is Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.southwell-racecourse.co.uk

AND FINALLY… Q: Can you break your journey with an Off Peak Day Return?

A. The National Guide to tickets says “In most cases you may break your journey at any point, or more than once if you wish. Where this is not the case it will be stated in the restrictions shown for that ticket, available at the time of purchase.” On the Derby to Matlock trains you can hop on and off at stations, but must resume your journey in the same direction. Book a ticket to your final destination.

Summit planned to discuss proposals to scrap borough council

Gedling Eye
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Summit planned to discuss proposals to scrap borough council

A summit is to be held with leaders of all seven district and borough councils to discuss plans which could see their authorities scrapped.

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr John Clarke has already said that they will “resist any plans for a takeover”.

Councillor Kay Cutts, who is the Conservative leader of the county council, said she wants to “get on with” a plan to abolish all seven councils.

It is understood that she has not been invited to the meeting, but has been made aware of it.

The meeting is set to take place behind closed doors at Bassetlaw District Council on Monday, July 9.

No public agenda has yet been released for the meeting, but a spokesman for Bassetlaw council said items to be discussed are likely to include “devolution and the local enterprise partnership, the metro strategy and recent announcements from the leader of the County Council on local government reorganisation in Nottinghamshire”.

PROPOSALS: Cllr Kay Cutts wants to scrap borough and district councils

There has been criticism from several district council leaders about the lack of debate, and the fact they were not informed of the proposals before they were made public.

Councillor Simon Greaves, the leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “What we’ve got now is the leader of the county council trying to create a mega-council for Notts in order to bail out the county’s finances.

“This would undermine local democracy, with decisions on growth, planning and housing taken remotely from the communities that we serve.

“Councillor Cutts is out on her own on this and she’s pursuing a long held personal agenda that has nothing to do with the best interests of residents.

“If she really cares about what is best for the people of Nottinghamshire then her time and energy would be better spent helping to create a D2N2 LEP that genuinely works for the whole area.

“What we need is a focus on jobs and investment instead of wasting time agonising over structures and boundaries.”

Councillor Cutts declined to comment on the meeting, but previously said she thinks there could be a host of benefits from abolishing some of the councils, including cost savings and efficiencies of scale.

Former Netherfield man jailed for raping young girl

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Former Netherfield man jailed for raping young girl

A former Netherfield man been sentenced to 18 years for raping a child.

Bryan Austin Fairweather, 56, formerly of Meadow Road, Netherfield, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual touching on May 21, 2018 at Nottingham Crown Court.

During the trial, the jury heard how he had first raped the victim in 2008 when she was four-years-old.

The attacks happened multiple times over a two year period and the court also heard how Fairweather would threaten to kill her and her family if she ever told anyone.

Fairweather was first arrested in October 2017 and denied all of the allegations when questioned by officers.

Fairweather was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today (29 June 2018). He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Dan Akehurst said: “The victim has shown immense courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting this to us. I’m really pleased with the result today and I hope it can act as some form of closure for the victim and her family.

“Nottinghamshire Police is committed to bringing people who commit sexual offences to justice. No matter how much time has passed, we will always investigate any reports of sexual abuse fully and be there to support you throughout the investigation.”

Pet cremation service plan approved by Gedling Borough Council

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Pet cremation service plan approved by Gedling Borough Council

Plans for a new pet cremation service run by Gedling Borough Council have been approved.

It means those who lose their beloved pets will now be able to have them cremated in the local area.

Rather than at a human crematorium, where a service is held, the new council-run service will instead collect pets from people’s houses and take them away, before bringing back the ashes.

Council bosses said market research has shown that pet ownership is particularly high in the East Midlands.

They said 31 percent of households own a dog (with an average of 1.5 dogs per dog-owning household), and 20 percent of households own a cat (with an average of 1.8 cats per cat-owning household).

The new scheme, which was formally approved at a meeting yesterday (June 28), is believed to be the first such service run by a local authority in the East Midlands.

The leader of the Labour-run council, Councillor John Clarke, says the service will be “dignified and respectful”.

He also called the project “innovative”, saying the council was finding new ways to generate income and protect front-line services.

The scheme also had the support of the Conservative representative at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Councillor Kevin Doyle, who represents the Trent Valley ward.

Initially, the cremations will be run just for people in Gedling, but if it is a success, the council hopes to expand to other areas.

A total of £89,000 is being spent setting the scheme up, but the council has predicted it will generate £88,000 in its first full financial year.

The crematorium itself will be run from the Jubilee Road council depot, and the council is in the process of applying for the special licenses needed.

It will also buy refrigerated vehicles in which to carry the dead animals.

They aim to start the scheme on or before April 1, 2019.

Volunteers needed in Gedling for Rainbows group

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Volunteers needed in Gedling for Rainbows group

A Rainbow Girl Guide group in Gedling are in desperate need for new volunteers.

Work commitments mean that one of the leaders at 1st Gedling Rainbows has to leave at the end of the summer term, so the group are hoping that a new volunteer can be found to help run the unit from September onwards.

Currently with nine members, all aged between 5 and 7 – and with a waiting list – the Rainbows meet at Gedling’s Scout & Guide HQ on Willow Lane each term-time Tuesday from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

Their recent adventures have included running a bake sale to raise funds for Nottingham Children’s Hospital, doing brass rubbings at their local church and joining in a day of outdoor activities at Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Elton campsite.

Guider Ann Douglas said: ‘We’ve an exciting programme starting in September and already have lots of new projects planned, but to make it all happen we need another adult volunteer who is prepared to get involved. If you’d like to come along to meet the team, or just have a chat about the role, then please do get in touch.”

Anyone interested in helping to run 1st Gedling Rainbows is invited to contact Helen Norton, Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Commissioner for Porchester District, via porchesterDistrictGuides@outlook.com  or call Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s county office on 0115 987 7220.

Elsewhere in the county, enquiries about volunteering with Girlguiding in Nottinghamshire at all levels are always welcome.

County Commissioner Jackie Brocklehurst said: ‘To put it bluntly, more adult supporters are vital if units are to continue offering such a breadth of activities to so many youngsters.

“As well as enjoying the company of like-minded adults and helping young people get the most out of life, our volunteers benefit from training, mentoring and invaluable experience – all of which come in very useful in other contexts.”

For details, explore www.girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk

Have say on future of offering gluten-free foods on NHS to patients in Gedling borough

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Have say on future of offering gluten-free foods on NHS to patients in Gedling borough

People in Gedling borough are being asked to take part in a consultation on whether the NHS should stop offering gluten-free foods on prescription.

Health commissioners from the four Greater Nottingham Clinical Commissioning Groups state that £176,488 is spent on prescribed gluten-free foods each year across the areas they serve.

The six-week consultation will run until Thursday, July 26 and commissioners are asking people to complete a short survey to help them to understand what they think about the different options.

Some gluten-free foods like bread and flour are currently available on prescription for people who have coeliac disease – a common digestive condition triggered by the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Prescriptions for gluten free foods have been available on the NHS for more than 30 years. Over the past few years, the availability of gluten-free foods has increased dramatically and at much more competitive prices compared to 30 years ago when choice was limited.

A spokesman for Demand for NHS services continues to increase. Therefore we need to look at everything we do to ensure the NHS locally uses its funding appropriately and fairly. To make sure that we are making the best use of NHS money, we are reviewing some of the services we provide. This means sometimes we need to make difficult decisions about what services can be funded.

Healthcare

Dr Hugh Porter, GP and clinical lead for NHS Nottingham City CCG said: “Gluten is not essential to people’s diets and many basic foods such as vegetables, potatoes, meat and rice are naturally free from gluten. Many gluten free alternatives are also now widely available to buy in supermarkets and health food shops.

“Given the ever-growing pressures on NHS services and budget, we must ensure we get the best value for taxpayers’ money.  We do understand the proposals to limit, or withdraw,  gluten free foods on prescription may have an impact on some patients with coeliac disease and that’s why we are keen to hear as many views as possible to help inform our decision.”

Patients registered with a GP in areas served by Nottingham City, Nottingham North and East CCG, Rushcliffe CCG and Nottingham West CCG are being asked to give their views about the options being proposed by health commissioners, which are:

1) Limit prescribing for all patients in Greater Nottingham to four units of long life bread and/or flour per month. This will mean that the same prescribing model is in place across the south of the county, including the city. It is the closest model to the national guidance and provides savings for the CCGs while still enabling gluten-free food to be available on prescription.

2) All Greater Nottingham CCGs to stop all gluten-free prescribing, with the exception of for children, who will be able to receive up to four units of long life bread and/or flour per month. This would provide a more significant saving for the CCGs while still allowing gluten-free prescribing for children.

3) All Greater Nottingham CCGs to stop all gluten-free prescribing.  This would mean the same restrictions will be in place across Nottinghamshire (except Bassetlaw). It provides the greatest financial saving for the CCGs.

People can have their say online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GN-gluten-free or by calling 0115 883 1709 for a printed copy or to complete over the phone

Debate calls over plans to scrap borough and district councils

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Debate calls over plans to scrap borough and district councils

A council leader in Nottinghamshire has called for a debate over proposals revealed last week which would see Gedling Borough Council and other local district and borough authorities scrapped

The Conservative leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Simon Robinson, has said there has not been any debate or discussions about a plan to scrap district and borough councils.

Mr Robinson said he is not opposed to the idea in principle, but the districts need to be better informed about the proposals.

He said he had met the minister for local government, James Brokenshire, last week, who had stressed that a consensus would be needed between district councils and the county council for any plan to be taken forward.

It is believed Councillor Robinson is the first Nottinghamshire council boss to speak to the newly-appointed minister about the plans. The minister is understood to be ‘considering’ a letter from the county council requesting a meeting.

Councillor Robinson also said ‘there has not been any dialogue’ between districts and the county about the plans.

He was speaking after the Conservative leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Kay Cutts, said she wanted to ‘get on with’ plans to dissolve the smaller district councils and create one, larger council – known as a unitary authority.

She said it was needed to remove duplication, save taxpayers’ money, and plug the financial demand caused by ever-increasing social care bills.

Speaking about meeting the Government minister, Mr Robinson said: “He would need an agreed solution between districts and the county, because there just isn’t the time or appetite to deal with a feud between districts and the county.

Cllr-John-Clarke
FIGHT: Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke is against plans to scrap borough and district councils

“The other big issue is that any unitary solution would require parliamentary time, and with Brexit that is in very short supply.”

Mr Robinson said he favours looking again at how local government is set up.

He added: “My view is that local Government does need re-organisation, but there needs to be planning and debate.

“I’m not saying that what would come out of that wouldn’t be some sort of unitary system, but you don’t start with the solution and work backwards, and I think that is what Kay Cutts is doing.

“My starting point is always going to be what is in the best interests for the 120,000 people who live in Rushcliffe.

“There are significant challenges both at district and at the county, and there needs to be much closer working between councils.

“That could be unitary or the metro strategy which the city and Gedling are talking about.”

Another scheme which has been put forward by Nottinghamshire leader Kay Cutts is for four East Midlands counties and three East Midlands cities to work closer together in a ‘strategic alliance’.

Speaking about this plan, Mr Robinson, who represents the Edwalton Ward for the Conservatives, said: “I’m absolutely in favour of the whole area getting together. I think it’s key for the investment in the big ticket items, and for infrastructure, and I absolutely support that.”

A spokesman for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We welcome authorities working together to boost the economy and improve services for people.

“We will consider all proposals once they have been submitted by local authorities.”

Vandals cause £20k of damage to Carlton play area and park

Gedling Eye
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Vandals cause £20k of damage to Carlton play area and park

A community has been left without access to a popular play area and park in Carlton -thanks to mindless vandals.

Gedling Borough Council has today announced that they have been forced to temporarily close Carnarvon Grove Play Area and Cavendish Road Recreation Ground until the damage to safety flooring is repaired.

The parks will remain closed until repairs can be carried out.

(PICTURE: Gedling Borough Council)
(PICTURE: Gedling Borough Council)

A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “Unfortunately, due to over £20k worth of vandalism to safety flooring at Carnarvon Grove Play Area and Cavendish Road Recreation Ground we’ve had to close the two parks temporarily.

“We are very sorry to have to do this but we had no choice due to the damage caused.”

  • If anyone has any information about who did this, please contact the Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teenager sentenced for knifepoint robberies in Mapperley

Gedling Eye
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Teenager sentenced for knifepoint robberies in Mapperley

A teenager has been sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing three youths at knifepoint in Mapperley.

He was also sentenced for carrying a knife following a shooting in St Ann’s.

The boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, and another offender followed three boys as they left a restaurant in Woodborough Road, Mapperley, on December 27, 2017.

They approached the boys, one of whom was asked what they had to give to them.

The offenders walked off empty-handed but a short time later they approached the same group of teenagers in Robinson Road and asked them ‘what have you got for us?’

After one of the group replied ‘nothing’ the defendant produced a machete from a bag and waved it towards them.

They searched the three victims who were told to empty their pockets. The offenders took a small quantity of cash from them before running off.

The defendant was arrested at home on February 22, 2018 after being identified from CCTV.

Nottingham Youth Court heard that the same defendant also pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and possessing cannabis after being detained by armed officers in St Ann’s on 4 June 2018.

The officers, who had attended a shooting in St Anns Well Road, saw the boy running away from the scene as they searched the area. He was also seen hiding behind a wall.

After he was detained the boy told the officers that his friend had called him, saying he’d been shot, so he armed himself with a knife from home and went to the area to help his friend.

Officers found a knife, which the boy had discarded, in a sheath on the floor next to the wall.

When the boy was searched by officers they found four small bags of cannabis and he was further arrested.

He was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders’ institute when he appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday 27 June 2018). He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Speaking after his sentencing City Chief Inspector Donna Lawton, the Force’s knife crime lead, said: “We will always do all we can to ensure perpetrators of violent offences are placed before the courts and we always strive to ensure the best possible outcomes are reached.

“As a community we are stronger when we work together. We want to work together with parents, community groups, schools, health services, local councils and other agencies to make it clear that carrying a knife should never be seen as acceptable and our lives are better without them.

“There is no need to carry a knife in Nottinghamshire. Those who do choose to carry a knife will be at much greater risk of coming to harm, and may have the very knife that they were carrying used against them.

“Knives destroy more than just a life. The real impact of carrying a knife is felt by entire families and ultimately our communities.

“We constantly review how we can do the best we can to make Nottinghamshire even safer for you – and we know education plays a big part in that. For that reason we are reintroducing Schools and Early Intervention Officers into schools across Nottinghamshire to help educate youngsters about positive life choices, including steering clear of weapon-enabled violence.

“We also have a dedicated Knife Crime Team – the only dedicated Knife Crime Team outside of the Metropolitan Police – which is continuing to make Nottinghamshire safer by taking weapons off the streets of Nottingham.

“We all have a part to play in tackling and reducing knife crime. To be our most effective we also rely on public support.

“We would urge people to keep talking to us and give us any information they have about crimes that impact on them. The more information we have the better equipped we are to put the resources where they are most needed.”

For more information and advice visit https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/knife-crime

Police probe break-ins at two properties in Woodthorpe

Gedling Eye
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Police probe break-ins at two properties in Woodthorpe

Police are appealing for information after two properties in Woodthorpe were broken into overnight earlier this week.

A garage and an outbuilding at two neighbouring properties were broken into on Albermarle Road overnight between June 25 and 26.

Woodthorpe_bike
PICTURED: A Intuitive Gamma Hybrid Bike, like the one above, was stolen from a property in Woodthorpe

Items were taken from within the building, including a black & grey Intuitive Gamma Hybrid mountain bike.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “If you witnessed these incidents or have any information, please call us.”

You can contact police on 101 quoting incident 261 of the 26th June or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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