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Drink-drive warning as police step up patrols in Gedling borough during Christmas party season

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Drink-drive warning as police step up patrols in Gedling borough during Christmas party season

Drivers in Gedling borough who get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol are being warned they will be targeted as the force steps up its patrols in the area.

Officers will be actively targeting those who drive after both drinking and taking drugs as party season and Christmas festivities begin.

Nottinghamshire Police has launched its month-long campaign this week to ensure drivers face justice for putting other people’s lives at risk by getting behind the wheel after either drinking or taking drugs.

The force is supporting the national campaign run by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) which launched on 1 December.

Every driver involved in a road traffic collision or found to be committing a traffic offence can expect to not only be stopped but breathalysed by the police in an effort to crack down on drink and drug-drivers – and can expect to be hauled before the courts where they could face fines, driving bans and even prison sentences.

The campaign is a reminder to road users that driving under the influence of drink and drugs is totally unacceptable and places other road users and the public at risk of being killed or seriously injured and hurt.

Inspector Clare Gibson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are actively on the hunt for drink and drug drivers on our roads over the Christmas period.

Breathalyzer

“This includes proactive patrols at relevant times as well as in the morning as those who drink the night before may still find themselves over the limit the next day.

“We are routinely carrying out operations to catch those driving whilst drunk and having taken drugs but we understand that during the festive period that people may be more tempted to jump into their car after indulging in Christmas festivities.

“Our message is if you have taken drugs or had a drink do not drive as you are placing not only your own life in jeopardy but also other innocent people’s lives.”

If you are found to be driving or attempting to drive above the legal limit or unfit through drink run the risk of six months in prison, an unlimited fine, and a driving ban of at least one year.

Anyone who causes death while drink driving can face up to 14 years in prison.

During last year’s campaign (1 December 2020 to 1 January 2021) Nottinghamshire Police arrested 198 drink and drug-drivers during the month-long campaign.

Of these 105 related to drink-driving and 93 to drug-driving.

The force responded to 49 road traffic collisions of which 14 of these included drug-drivers and 35 drink-drivers.

The highest breath reading taken during the month-long campaign was 153 micrograms – which is more than four times the drink-drive limit.

The driver was hauled up in front of the courts after being involved in a minor road traffic collision and received a 16-week prison sentence suspended for one year along with being disqualified from driving for four years and four months.

The advice to those wanting to enjoy a drink over the festive period is to use a taxi company, nominate a designated driver or use the public transport on offer throughout Nottinghamshire.

Anyone who suspects that someone is driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is asked to try and discourage them from getting behind the wheel.

But if they won’t listen people are advised to call 101, or 999 if there is an immediate risk to life or property. You can also call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Catch of tomorrow: Here’s what our future fish suppers could like if plastic pollution continues

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Catch of tomorrow: Here’s what our future fish suppers could like if plastic pollution continues

Imagine tucking into a hearty portion of fish and chips, or a comforting fish pie, but instead of eating fish, you’re confronted with dirty, discarded plastic.

This stark warning of whole fish replaced by plastic waste could well be a reality by 2050, when research predicts there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans.

Research data from PADI AWARE Foundation, which works with scuba divers across the world to remove plastic waste from the seas, reveals that the average person still buys more than three SUP water bottles every week – an eye-watering 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic bottles are bought across the UK each year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste.

The research also reveals that there are over eight million pieces of plastic entering our seas each day; it estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic in the ocean for every square mile, with the majority (80%) of that plastic coming from the land. 

Virgin Pure has teamed up with the environmental charity and recreated four recipes as a wake-up call to all bottled water buyers: Golden Beer-Battered Fish with Chips, a seafood Linguine, a traditional Fish Pie and a Seafood Paella to the same quality standard but with one additional standout ingredient replacing the majority of the seafood in each: plastic.

All the plastic used in the dishes has been retrieved from the ocean by PADI Aware Foundation, meaning it’s the exact plastic rubbish that’s being dumped into the world’s oceans which causes serious issues for marine animals and the environment.

These plastics are not only ingested by animal life, but through the water we drink and the food we eat. In fact, researchers believe that between 10 and 30% of fish in any sample will be contaminated with microplastics.

Danna Moore, Global Director, PADI AWARE Foundation adds: “We hope this campaign helps bring to life just how severe the problem is, and encourages people to do better, get involved in ocean conservation and cut down on single-use plastic bottles. Whether you are a certified diver, a fisherman or a small child building a sandcastle at the local beach, the declining health of the oceans affects us all.

Tom Stazicker, CEO of Virgin Pure, said: “None of us want to be consuming plastic, visible or not. Our products filter out harmful substances like chlorine, rust and microplastics that are commonly found in regular tap water, giving a better reason than ever before for people to stop buying bottled water. We’re delighted to be supporting the work that PADI AWARE Foundation does by partnering them, and proud to be able to offer a solution for those who want to kick the plastic bottle habit for good.”

To donate to PADI Aware Foundation, visit: https://netdonor.net/page/81717/donate/1

Gedling MP Tom Randall speaks out on Covid vaccine passports plan before crucial vote next week

David Bratton
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Gedling MP Tom Randall speaks out on Covid vaccine passports plan before crucial vote next week

Gedling MP Tom Randall appears to have sided with furious Tories who are planning to rebel against Boris Johnson’s controversial vaccine passports plan for nightclubs and football matches.

Johnson’s Plan B measure was announced during a press conference on Wednesday (December 9) and has since been torn to shreds by Tories who are believed to be gearing up to rebel when it comes to a crucial vote next week.

The new measure, if introduced, would see people being required to show they’re double-jabbed or have tested negative when attending clubs, stadiums and festivals.

It’s believed around 60 Tory MPs could revolt against the PM when vaccine passports are tabled in the Commons next week.

Randall took to social media yesterday to voice concerns over passport plans.

In his post he cited the findings of a report carried out by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee (PACAC).

The Gedling MP has been part of the committee since early 2020.

Vaccine

He wrote: “Earlier this year the Committee looked into Covid certification (or ‘Covid passports’) to see how effective they might be.

“We took evidence from various groups, including clinicians, hospitality and leisure industry representatives, and civil rights groups.

“Our inquiry found that the Government has so far failed to make the scientific case in favour of the system. The Committee found little evidence that the introduction a Covid-status certification regime would actually increase public confidence. I still hold this view.”

His post got a positive response from constituents who called on Mr Randall to vote against the plans next week.

Francesca Di Monamy wrote: “Thanks for this, Tom. Please vote against this and any other measures that try to coerce UK citizens into unwanted medical procedures.”

Louise Allison posted: “I hope that means you’ll be voting no Tom. They’re discriminatory and it’s a slippery slope. I’m pro-vaccine (my baby has just had his 12 week childhood immunisations today) but absolutely pro choice.”

Nottinghamshire County Council leader and Mansfield Conservative MP Ben Bradley yesterday confirmed he will vote against the Government’s new Covid restrictions and believes reintroducing further measures is a “slippery slope”.

Mr Bradley is another backbench Conservative MP speaking out against the measures.

He said: “Precautions are one thing but when you start to restrict peoples’ freedoms, like with vaccine passports, you need pretty good data and evidence to support it.

“There are clearly risks and there always will be risks for as long as there is Covid, but we can’t keep turning the taps on and off.”

Carlton Hill property searched and Class A drugs found after parcel gets intercepted at airport

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Carlton Hill property searched and Class A drugs found after parcel gets intercepted at airport

A property in Carlton Hill has been searched and a man has been arrested after ten kilograms of class A drugs were discovered when authorities intercepted a package at an airport.

Border Force colleagues made the discovery after the parcel came into Heathrow Airport, and once they learned it was destined for Nottinghamshire, local officers were on the case.

A search was then conducted at a property in Carlton Hill and officers recovered a quantity class A drugs and cash.

A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of importing class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Detective Inspector Mike Ebbins, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We work really well with our partners overseeing the borders and when there is intelligence suggesting that imported drugs are headed for Nottinghamshire we act on this.

“Drugs can have a serious impact on our communities and they can be linked to wider and serious organised criminality.

“Our proactive work, both in Nottinghamshire and linking in with our border agencies, means we can be one step ahead and stop any such activity in its tracks. As a result of this, a quantity of class A has been recovered and is out of circulation, and a man has been arrested.

“We continue to make enquiries and would encourage anyone with information or concerns about criminal activity in their areas to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.”

Water supply issues affecting parts of Arnold

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Water supply issues affecting parts of Arnold

Water supply issues are affecting parts of Arnold as emergency repairs are carried out by Severn Trent Water.

The NG5 area is the area affected by supply issues.

The water provider said they hope to have the issue resolved by 4pm this afternoon.

A Severn Trent spokesman said: “There is currently an issue in the area and the team are working hard to fix it as soon as they can.

“This may cause your water to run at a lower pressure than usual or have no water at all.

Once it’s fixed your water may appear slightly discoloured or bubbly – but it’s nothing to worry about.”

Colwick firm among companies named and shamed for not paying minimum wage

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Colwick firm among companies named and shamed for not paying minimum wage

More than 200 firms have been named and shamed by government for not paying their staff the minimum wage – including one based in Colwick.

The firms range from high street names to sole traders, according to the Department for Business.

One of them was Matalan Retail in Knowsley, Merseyside, which underpaid 16 workers by £1,634.48.

Another prominent firm on the list is professional services firm Mitie, which owed 91 of its staff £17,893.98.

Locally, Quad Joinery Contractors Limited, which is based on Colwick Industrial Estate, was the only firm listed.

The released figures show they failed to pay £7,223.25 to 1 worker.

Houses of Parliament

The 208 companies listed have had to repay what they owe staff – and face big financial penalties of up to 200% of what they underpaid their employees.

The underpayments happened between 2014 and 2019 and government investigations into the firms finished this year.

Minister for labour markets Paul Scully said: “Today’s 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

“With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don’t be a scrooge – pay your staff properly.”

The current minimum wage and living wage rates in the UK are:

  • Apprentices: £4.30 an hour
  • Under-18s: £4.62 an hour
  • 18-20s: £6,56 an hour
  • 21-22s: £8.36 an hour
  • Over 23s: £8.91 an hour

Covid: Map reveals worst hotspots for coronavirus in Gedling borough over seven-day period

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Covid: Map reveals worst hotspots for coronavirus in Gedling borough over seven-day period

The latest data released by the government shows the areas which have the highest Covid rates in Gedling borough.

The Home Office figures below show the case rate per 100,000 people for the seven–day period ending on December 3.

The biggest increase was in Burton Joyce and Lambley with cases up by 94.

The biggest drop was in Calverton and Woodborough with total cases down by 29.

The most cases over the seven-day period were in Gedling South which reported 60

You can see the details for each Government-defined neighbourhood in the borough in the list below.

Seven–day rates are expressed per 100,000 population and are calculated by dividing the seven day count by the area population and multiplying by 100,000.

Arnold Town

Total cases 35 (down by -1)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 578.9

Bestwood Village

Total cases 57 (up by +23)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 948.7

Burton Joyce and Lambley

Total cases 94 (+69)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 1,474.7

Calverton & Woodborough

Total cases 55 (down by – 29)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 586.6

Carlton

Total cases 49 (up by +1)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 478.1

Carlton Hill

Total cases 55 (up by +31)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 776.5

Covid sign Arnold

Daybrook

Total cases 37 (up by +18)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 535.2

Gedling North

Total cases 51 (down by -10)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 623.4

Gedling South

Total cases 41 (-21)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 457.7

Mapperley & Porchester

Total cases 62 (up by +19)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 716.8

Mapperley Park

Total cases 37 (down by -2)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 429.3

Netherfield & Colwick

Total cases 52 (down by – 2)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 682.8

Ravenshead & Newstead (Including Linby and Papplewick)

Total cases 29 (down by -5)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 458.0

Redhill

Total cases 46 (down by -8)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 642.4

Woodthorpe & Arno Vale

Total cases 48 (-14)

Case rate per 100,000 people is 474.3

Prime Minister announces Covid restrictions with move to ‘Plan B’

Anna Whittaker (LDR reporter)
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Prime Minister announces Covid restrictions with move to ‘Plan B’

Tighter Coronavirus restrictions are being brought in as the Government attempts to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the new restrictions – otherwise known as ‘Plan B’ – during a press conference on Wednesday evening (December 8).

The new rules include work from home guidance from December 13, further rules on wearing masks and ‘Covid certification’ being required in indoor  spaces where crowds gather.

It comes after 568 cases of Omicron were detected in the UK, which scientists have classed as a ‘variant of concern’.

One of the first cases of the variant, which is thought to be more transmissible, was detected in Nottingham on November 27.

The government previously said Plan B would be implemented “if the data suggests the NHS is likely to come under unsustainable pressure”.

Plan B includes requiring people once again to work from home if they can, from Monday, December 13, as well as:

Covid sign Arnold
  • Introducing mandatory double vaccine-only COVID-status certification in nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather
  • A legal requirement to wear face coverings in certain other settings such as theatres and cinemas
  • Communicating clearly and urgently to the public that the level of risk has increased, and with it the need to behave more cautiously.

Mandatory Covid certification – involving showing an NHS app Covid passport – will come in for indoor venues such as nightclubs in a week’s time. This requires the holder to have received at least two Covid vaccination jabs – or to demonstrate a recent negative lateral flow test.

Mr Johnson said: “It is the proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B in England so we slow the spread of the virus, to get yet more boosters into arms and understand the answers to the key outstanding questions about Omicron.”

But Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “As ever, ministers have been too slow to protect us against the virus. We should’ve been mask wearing on transport and working from home if possible already.”

The announcement follows a week of controversy for the Government after reports of a  staff Christmas party at Downing Street in December 2020.

Today the Prime Minister responded that he was “furious” and “apologised unreservedly” for the offence caused by footage of senior staff joking about  a party and social distancing.

Leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer said: “Millions of people now think that the Prime Minister was taking them for fools.”

Mr Johnson has ordered an inquiry into whether rules were broken.

Council panel to decide on licence application for new pub at former TSB bank in Mapperley

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Council panel to decide on licence application for new pub at former TSB bank in Mapperley

Owners of a new pub in a converted former TSB bank in Mapperley will find out whether they will be allowed to serve alcohol until 2am once the venue is open.

But several objections have been raised by the community, with many fearing the pub may blight a “quiet” area where no venues stay open beyond 1am on weekends.

Gedling Borough Council will host a licensing panel on Thursday, December 16 to review the application of ‘Old Bank Mapperley Ltd’.

The new pub will open at the site of the former TSB building on Plains Road, Mapperley, at its junction with the nearby Bonington Road, as part of a redevelopment project that also proposes flats upstairs.

In its application, the new pub is requesting a license to turn the building into a bar and restaurant. It hopes to occasionally show plays, films, sport, live music, recorded music and dance performances.

Its application states the standard operating hours would be between 8am and 2am the following day, with the pub bidding to also serve alcohol during the same period.

And the venue states it will also bring in a CCTV recording system prior to opening and will train all members of staff in the sale of alcohol, stressing it will follow “all relevant legislation” on public safety and nuisance.

But as many as 23 written objections were submitted in regards to the plans, with several concerns raised.

Drawings for the pub show it could feature a beer garden to its rear, which several residents objected to on the grounds of “public nuisance”.

TSB Mapperley
PICTURED: Former TSB branch in Mapperley (IMAGE: Google)

Terry Buttle, the council’s environmental health officer, also raised similar concerns.

In an objection letter, he said: “I have examined the plans submitted and I would like to object to the use of the outside area on the grounds of public nuisance.

“[This is] due to the potential noise levels from the use of the outside area, as these are likely to cause a public nuisance to nearby residential properties including those properties that have been proposed to the rear and above the premises.”

Others raised issues with the proposed opening times, stating no other venue stays open for alcohol sales until this hour and the majority are closed by midnight.

Objector Lynda Schippers, who lives on nearby Bonington Road, said: “The site of the premises is at the top of Bonington Road, which is a very quiet and peaceful place.

“We have a strong community spirit and a venue such as this is nothing but alarming.

“There is no other venue, restaurant, pub or bar that serves alcohol past 1am. The majority close at 12 midnight at the weekend and 11pm during the week, there is no demand for a 2am closing.”

She went on to raise noise concerns from, people leaving “at all hours”, as well as taxis driving around the area and the potential effects of alcohol on the “wrong kind of customers”.

In its submissions, the applicant said it will follow all “relevant legislation” to prevent public nuisance and will “liaise and cooperate” with responsible authorities.

It confirmed a ‘Challenge 21’ policy will be in place to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers.

Gedling Borough Council’s licensing panel will decide the application next Thursday.

Gedling MP wants urgent meeting with Royal Mail bosses over delivery issues in Carlton area

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling MP wants urgent meeting with Royal Mail bosses over delivery issues in Carlton area

Gedling MP Tom Randall has called for an urgent meeting with the chief executive of Royal Mail over ‘ongoing issues’ with postal deliveries around the Carlton area.

Mr Randall shared an email he sent yesterday to Royal Mail on his Facebook account.

He said that he was calling for a meeting after residents contacted him about postal delivery issues in the Carlton area.

Mr Randall said: ” I know that this issue is a worry for many, particularly those waiting for medical appointments and with the busier Christmas period fast approaching.

“I have previously raised this issue with the Royal Mail but problems are continuing.

“I have e-mailed Royal Mail again today for an urgent meeting to discuss the problem and I will update residents after that meeting.”

In the email Mr Randall highlights issues at the Carlton Delivery Office.

In an email to Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson, Randall wrote: “I was assured these delays are due to short-term staff absences due to Covid and that post is being delivered every other day. This doesn’t match up with what I am being told by my constituents.”

Readers in the area have contacted Gedling Eye over the past few days about postal delivery problems.

Gail Wright’s father lives in Carlton and she said he was worried about the lack of deliveries in the area.

“Dad receives a lot of mail from close relatives abroad over Christmas and he’s worried that he might not get any of these letters. They make his Christmas.”

One resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said he was now turning to digital after tickets to a concert failed to arrive on time.

“You can get tickets emailed to you but I prefer them on paper as a souvenir. They didn’t turn up on time as we didn’t get a postal delivery for a few days. I’ll now have to download them to an app as you can’t trust the mail.”

Gedling Eye has contacted Royal Mail for a response.

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