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Strike action could disrupt rail services from Gedling borough stations to Lincoln Christmas Market

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Strike action could disrupt rail services from Gedling borough stations to Lincoln Christmas Market

East Midlands Railway bosses have said that dates for proposed strike action from train managers and senior conductors over safety fears has been “specifically selected” to disrupt Lincoln Christmas Market.

Extra services normally run from Carlton and Burton Joyce stations to Lincoln during the weekend of the market to cater for large numbers of passengers from the borough attending the popular event.

But East Midlands Railway say some staff are now planning to strike during the event due to separate disputes about safety, pay and conditions, a union has said.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said negotiations with East Midlands Railway (EMR) failed to resolve ongoing issues.

Staff last went on strike in the spring and summer but further action was halted during talks.

RMT said the rail company had imposed new working arrangements for train managers on the new Class 360 trains, which run between Corby, Northamptonshire and London St Pancras.

The union believes the new arrangements are “unsafe”.

Senior conductors are also in a dispute with the company over pay, conditions and contract issues.

Strike action is set to take place on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4.

In a letter to stakeholders, EMR said it was ‘disappointed and surprised’ by the strike threat and was preparing its fourth offer to RMT to resolve the dispute.

The letter states: “Threats of such action are particularly unhelpful at a time when talks were reaching a critical stage. They are designed to cause disruption to customers returning to rail travel and will undoubtedly impact businesses who are still struggling with the effects of the pandemic.

EMR claimed the proposed strike dates were “specifically selected” to disrupt to Lincoln Christmas market, adding staff are working on contingency plans to protect services that weekend.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said the Union has been left with no choice but to again propose strike action for train managers and senior conductors.

He said: “It is astonishing that after weeks of negotiations, during which in good faith we suspended industrial action and believed progress was being made, the company has failed to make offers in writing to bring these disputes to a close.

“The strike action will send management a clear message that their utter contempt for the negotiations and their hard-working staff is totally unacceptable.

“The union remains available for talks in both disputes.”

Lincoln Christmas Market is taking place from December 2-5.

The traditional Christmas Market, which sits in the heart of Lincoln, has grown from just 11 stalls to now over 150.

Concern over low bus use in county after the pandemic

Anna Whittaker (LDR reporter)
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Concern over low bus use in county after the pandemic

There is concern over the low usage of buses in Nottinghamshire following the pandemic.

Passenger levels are rising but are only at 65-70 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers, reports show.

Concessionary use is recovering “more slowly” at 55 to 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Councillors voiced concerns over the numbers during a Transport and Environment Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council on November 17.

It comes as the authority is set to bid for Government funding to improve bus services in the area.

It is estimated that £98m is needed from the Government for the plans, with the authority matching it with £42m in funding.

Councillor John Willmott (Ind) said: “It is concerning that only 65-70 per cent of the passengers are at pre-pandemic levels. Concession levels down to 55 to 60 per cent is pretty low for the pensioners.

27_Carlton_bus

“It is very concerning to us all. Many are saying they won’t use the buses because of the mask situation. It is a serious situation that needs to be addressed.

“Every day the amount of people still catching the Covid virus is unbelievable.

“I welcome this bid which includes proposals to improve bus services, simplify fares and tickets, install more real-time displays and improve accessibility at bus stops.”

The council is set to put its Bus Service Improvement Plan to Government for funding towards services in Nottinghamshire.

A total of 3,500 people responded to a survey about the bus service and passenger priorities were to see more frequent services, easier to understand information, better bus stops, lower fares multi-operator tickets and better journey times.

Improvements include more reliable services, ticketing options for young people and those seeking work and making buses more accessible.

There are also proposals for more bus lanes, improved bus shelters, CCTV cameras at bus stops, and marketing campaigns to encourage more bus use.

The changes are subject to approval of Government funding.

Councillor Penny Gowland (Lab) added: “People who need these buses most are either going into transport poverty or being priced out of buses which is not good.

“Hopefully this investment might help to reverse some of that.

“It would be really helpful if the council could consider a windows and masks campaign because it is true, not many people are wearing masks on buses.

“It is great to see investment in this area and I encourage everybody to use the bus.”

Chair of the meeting Councillor Neil Clarke (Con) said: “This is an incredibly comprehensive plan. It is not helped by the last couple of years with Covid, bus services have been thrown into some element of disarray.

“Let’s hope things can get back to some normality so we can use the buses in a more comprehensive way to help save the environment.

“It is important we can promote public transport and reduce the usage of cars as much as we can.”

He added: “Some people are still fearful of getting on the bus because of those health reasons.

“It is still a very difficult situation.”

The committee unanimously approved plans to submit National Bus Strategy documents to the Government.

Police investigation launched after suspected arson attacks in Bestwood Village

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police investigation launched after suspected arson attacks in Bestwood Village

Police are looking to speak to two men in connection with suspected arson attacks in Bestwood Village.

Officers received reports of the fires in the early hours of Tuesday morning (November 16). 

The first fire in School Walk was spotted by the drone team and was able to be extinguished quickly.

A further fire in Bestwood Village was also discovered that involved construction machinery.

Police say they are now looking to track down two men who they believe may have information that will help them with their investigations around the fires – which they believe were started deliberately . 

Both men are believed to be aged between 20 and 30, with one man described as wearing a dark jacket, jogging bottoms and walking with a distinctive limp. 

The second man was wearing a hooded gillet and grey jogging bottoms. 

Detective Sergeant Matt Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are trying to track down two men who we believe may be able to help us with our investigations into these suspected arson attacks. 

“Thankfully no one was injured during these fires and with the quick work by officers and working alongside Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service the fires were extinguished without hurting anyone. 

“We don’t believe that residents are under any threat but would like to reassure people that there will be an increased police presence as our enquires continue. 

“But we would like to urge anyone who may have witnessed anything or has any information to come forward to help us with our investigations.”

Watch manager Tim Marston of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Investigation Team said:  “A considerable amount of Police and Fire resources have been deployed as part of our joint investigations, including the use of our regional hydrocarbon detection dog and handler.

“The fire investigations have now been completed and have concluded that these fires were started deliberately.  Our findings have been shared with our police colleagues to assist with the ongoing investigations.

“Deliberate fires can have a significant impact on businesses, homes, communities and the environment, even endangering life.

“Businesses and residents can help protect themselves from deliberate fires by making sure that combustible items and rubbish are not stored against buildings.  We urge them to check their security precautions, such as the effectiveness and condition of perimeter fencing, gates, locks, CCTV and lighting, and to park vehicles in a secure location.

“We would urge anyone who knows anything about these incidents to contact Nottinghamshire Police.” 

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 22 of 16 November 2021.  

These residents in Carlton and Gedling are reaping the rewards from greener heating with reduced household bills

Gedling Eye Reporter
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These residents in Carlton and Gedling are reaping the rewards from greener heating with reduced household bills

Residents say they are reaping the rewards from a new eco-friendly heating system being installed at properties across Carlton and Gedling.

So far 50 homes and bungalows managed by Jigsaw Homes Midlands have been fitted with air source heat pumps (ASHPs) over recent weeks.

The social housing provider aims to fit the pumps in 83 properties in total as part of the £1.5m upgrade project.

So far, almost 50 properties on Foxhill Road, Rushchliffe Avenue and Emerys Road have had the heat pumps successfully installed, along with new radiators and a hot water cylinder to replace outdated storage heaters. A smart system to control the pumps is also in place – and residents say they could not be happier.

Lillian and Trevor Hallan of Foxhill Road were one of the first to have their heat pump fitted.

“We couldn’t wait to have this new system fitted” said Lillian.

“It used to be freezing in the house in winter and I got to the point where I actually wanted to move because I couldn’t stand the thought of another winter and being cold.

“It has been brilliant so far and it only took a day and a half for them to come and fit everything. Everything is set for us, we don’t need to do anything with it. I don’t need to put the fire on – or a hoody – anymore. It’s brilliant and we are really happy.”

The ASHPs, from manufacturer Vaillant, are one of the most economical and eco-friendly heating solutions currently available. They work by extracting thermal energy (heat) from the outside air and converting this into heating and hot water. 

They are designed to work in cold temperatures and are suitable for all homes but need to be located outside a property. They need electricity to run, but 75% of the energy is generated from outside air, meaning only 25% is required from electricity. Crucially, they safeguard homeowners against fluctuations in energy prices.

The pumps help to reduce emissions and CO2 impact on Jigsaw’s properties, but will save residents money on fuel bills too.

Resident Geoff Taylor also of Foxhill Road said his smart meter had already shown a reduction in his heating bills, even though he has the heating set to a higher temperature for the benefit of his wife who suffers from ill health. 

PICTURED: An air source pump in operation on the outside of a home
PICTURED: Lillian and Trevor Hallan of Foxhill Road were one of the first to have an air heat pump fitted at their Carlton home.

“We need to have it higher for her, but it’s still cheaper than what we were paying before. It was easy to set to the time we want it to come on and go off again and I would never go back to the old storage heater system.”

Before work started on the installation, residents were invited to attend a special demonstrator roadshow at the Rushcliffe Avenue Community Centre. They got to see how the air source heat pumps work and to meet the team, including from sustainable refurbishment, building and maintenance specialists J Tomlinson Ltd who are carrying out the installation work.

The homes were identified as being suitable for the heat pumps during an energy efficiency improvement survey by Jigsaw Homes which included a range of measures including loft, cavity wall or external wall insulation, replacement of older windows or doors.

And now, residents at all 83 properties will also be offered a 6kw solar panel system to be fitted on the roof of their homes following a successful bid by Jigsaw Homes Midlands from the ECO innovation fund.

Danny Wyre, head of asset management at Jigsaw Homes Midlands said: “We know that many of our residents are keen to do more for the environment and we want to help them save money on fuel bills where possible.

“The day-to-day running of some of our homes was creating more carbon emissions than we would like and we wanted to work with our residents to improve on this – but it has to be right for them as well. 

“That’s why it’s great to hear that so many who have had the new system installed are so pleased with it and how it has made such a difference to their lives – and pockets. With the addition of the solar roof panels, this will make their homes even more energy efficient.”

Jigsaw Homes Midlands have worked with J Tomlinson Ltd Resident Liaison Officer who will continue to be on hand to keep residents informed on the installation process and use of the heat pumps.

Ant Newton, Regeneration Director at J Tomlinson said: “We have worked closely with Jigsaw to help identify and deliver low carbon and sustainable energy solutions to future proof homes. We want to make sure that residents are informed and happy and that we can support Jigsaw’s aim of reducing their carbon emissions and environmental impact.”

The work to install all 83 Air Source Heat Pumps is expected to be completed by mid December.

East Midlands Railway on hunt for new apprentice train drivers from Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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East Midlands Railway on hunt for new apprentice train drivers from Gedling borough

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched a recruitment drive in a bid to to attract apprentice train drivers from across Gedling borough to its team.  

The train operating company is keen to encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for the roles – which will be based at its depots in Nottingham and Derby.

The apprenticeship scheme is open to people aged 21 and above and involves a 12-month programme that blends theory and practical work in the classroom with practical skills development – such as; cab rides and signal box visits.

Successful applicants will have access to world-class facilities at EMR’s training academy where classroom learning is underpinned by state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) that replicates real life railway situations.

EMR also has a cab simulator so apprentices can learn about train driving in a variety of different circumstances and conditions within a safe environment.

Paul Griffin, head of drivers for EMR, started working on the railway in 1995, he said: “The role of a Train Driver is unique and challenging, but it is rewarding.

“I have worked in many roles within the Driver function, from a Driver on Central Trains to a Driver Mentor and Depot Manager. I have been in my current role as Head of Drivers since August 2019.”

Kate Holden, HR Director for EMR said: “At EMR, we currently employ just over 600 drivers and to fulfil our fleet rollout, we need drivers to operate the trains across the network.

“One of our major challenges is encouraging a more diverse driving workforce. We’ve been working to increase the number of females applying for our driver roles, with open evenings aimed specifically at women, as well as tackling the unconscious bias through blind screening.

“We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and ages and we’d urge anybody interested in a career in any of these driver roles to check out our website.”

Closing date for applicants is Sunday, November 28 2021.

Lidl pay rises will make it UK’s highest-paying supermarket

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Lidl pay rises will make it UK’s highest-paying supermarket

Lidl is set to become the UK’s highest-paying supermarket when it issues pay rises to staff next March.

The discount supermarket chain has stores in Arnold, Mapperley Park and Netherfield.

It now plans to increase its minimum pay for employees to £10.10 an hour, with rates of up to £11.40 for more experienced workers.

The he increase recognised “the hard work and dedication of frontline colleagues during the last 18 months of the pandemic”.

Earlier this year, Morrisons became the first UK supermarket to pay at least £10 an hour.

In a statement it said: “Entry-level wages will increase from £9.50 to £10.10 an hour outside of London and £10.85 to £11.30 within the M25 from March 2022, with colleagues earning up to £11.40 and £12.25 respectively, depending on length of service,” Lidl said.

Lidl

Christian Härtnagel, chief executive officer at Lidl GB said: “At Lidl, our frontline colleagues are the backbone of our business. They have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months of the Covid-19 crisis and are integral to our future success.

“We have ambitious plans to grow our business across Great Britain, and to do that we need to ensure we attract and look after the best talent at every level of our business. 

“This year we feel incredibly lucky to be in a position as a business to go even further by making this significant investment in our incredible workforce, which will make us the best paying supermarket in the UK.” 

It comes after official figures on Tuesday suggested that employers are continuing to struggle to fill roles, affecting the hospitality and retail sectors in particular.

Job vacancies hit a fresh record high of 1.17 million in October – almost 400,000 higher than before the pandemic.

Police search Jubilee Park in Gedling for weapons as part of knife crime operation

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police search Jubilee Park in Gedling for weapons as part of knife crime operation

Police have searched Jubilee Park in Gedling for weapons as part of a knife crime operation.

Officers carried out the weapon sweep at the open space on Burton Road in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Police’s Operation Sceptre.

They also searched the surrounding areas for concealed weapons and knives.

Officers were joined by neighbourhood wardens from Gedling Borough Council for the ‘sweep.

A police spokesman said: “We are pleased to report that no weapons or knives were recovered.

PICTURED: Knives handed in during the last police amnesty (IMAGE: Notts Police)

“As part of the week of action we are supporting the knife amnesty where a bin is located at Carlton Fire Station and officers will be carrying out increased high visibility patrols.

“We need people to keep giving us information about knife crime in their areas so we can help keep them safe. We all need to work together to combat knife crime and we’d urge anyone with information on knife crime in their local community to call us.”

Those with information can contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Cranksy’s Christmas crochet creation spreads festive cheer in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Cranksy’s Christmas crochet creation spreads festive cheer in Netherfield

The latest work from mystery crochet creator ‘Cranksy’ has appeared on top of the post box in Netherfield and is guaranteed to spread festive cheer around the town.

The new postbox topper, located outside the post office on Victoria Road, features Santa and a snowman.

The new topper replaces the last creation featuring poppies to mark Remembrance week.

The post box toppers have been appearing over the past few years.

elf and grinch Nethefield post box
A knitted elf and Grinch are now sitting on top of the post box on Victoria Road (PHOTO: Neil Slack)

They tend to appear overnight, which prompted locals to call the mystery artist behind the creations ‘Cranksy’ due to the similar approach to stealth artist Banksy.

Last year their was sorrow in the town when Cranksy’s Christmas creation featuring The Grinch and an elf went missing.

It was eventually returned after being found at the site of the Costa drive-thru on nearby Victoria Retail Park.

Artist behind new village sign design invited to see work on display

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Artist behind new village sign design invited to see work on display

The artist behind the designs of new village signs in Calverton was last week invited to see her work on display.

Christine Hall is an artist from Southwell and provided artwork for the new signs welcoming people to the village.

The welcome signs have been designed to reflect the history of the village with reference to farming, William Lee’s Stocking Frame and recently the coal mining industry.

Calverton artist with village sign
PICTURED: Artist Christine Hall with the new signs welcoming people to Calverton

G & S Signs of Calverton made and put up the signs

Grant funding for the scheme was received from Nottinghamshire County Council and Calverton Parish Council with an additional donation of £1,000 from Persimmon Builder.

A parish council spokesman said: “The Parish Council would like to thank all those involved in achieving these new signs, in particular Cllr Joan Inger and County Councillor Boyd Elliot.

Covid cases: Infections fall across Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Covid cases: Infections fall across Gedling borough


Covid cases have fallen across Gedling borough, the latest figures reveal.

New numbers released last night cover cases reported on Sunday, November 14.

Gedling borough bucked the trend across Nottinghamshire with figures falling. All other areas of the county, apart from Rushcliffe, reported a large rise in cases.

The number of cases reported on Sunday across Gedling borough was 39 which was down from 69 reported the previous day.

Covid-testing
Cases were down in Gedling borough

645 cases were reported in total across Nottinghamshire.

Each areas reported the following numbers (previous day in brackets):

Ashfield 86 (54)

Bassetlaw 86  (45)

Broxtowe  82 (46)

Mansfield 73 (62)

Newark 82 (74)

Nottingham 144 (139)

Rushcliffe 53 (98)

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