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60,769 potholes repaired in Gedling borough over five years

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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60,769 potholes repaired in Gedling borough over five years

New figures have revealed that 60,769 potholes were repaired across Gedling borough over the past five years.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Nottinghamshire County Council found 476,043 potholes were repaired countywide between 2016/17 and 2020/21, with 100,074 fixed in the most recent financial year.

This is a 64 per cent rise on the 61,063 repairs undertaken by the authority in 2016/17.

Figures show 2018/19 was the most prominent year for damaged roads, with 114,517 repairs completed in 12 months. A further 92,952 repairs were conducted in 2017/18 and 107,437 were made in 2019/20.

Roads in the Newark and Sherwood district were the most frequently visited by Via East Midlands, the council’s highways contractor, with 147,752 potholes repaired over five years.

The Muskham and Farnsfield division racked up the highest total by ward area, at 30,904, which is more than the 28,437 repairs conducted across the entire borough of Rushcliffe over the same five-year period.

There were a further 39,732 repairs in Broxtowe, 46,248 in Ashfield, 48,590 in Mansfield, 60,769 in Gedling and 104,515 in Bassetlaw between 2016 and March this year.

Councillor Bruce Laughton (Con), deputy leader of the authority, represents Muskham and Farnsfield, the ward with the most repaired potholes in Nottinghamshire.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “One of the reasons why I’ve got more potholes than everybody else is because I’ve got more roads, it’s the second-largest rural division in the county.

“It’s an issue we work through with regular reporting, and the maintenance of potholes was a significant issue on the doorstep at the last election.

“Having more potholes than Rushcliffe comes as a huge surprise, but I have my parishes trained well and working all the time to feed information to Via East Midlands.

PICTURED: Potholes on Oakdale Road (IMAGE: Gedling Eye)

“We recognise it’s an issue right across the whole county, we’ve got to do something about it as there’s no doubt the electorate will hold us accountable if we don’t sort it out.”

The FOI also revealed the authority spent £21,426,727.42 on reactive pothole and patching repairs during the five-year period, equating to about £45 per job.

Analysis in the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) annual local authority maintenance survey found that, on average, pothole repairs conducted by councils in England in 2020/21 cost £55.90 per job.

Planned works cost about £41.68 on average, but this figure rose to £70.45 for reactive repairs.

The level of council spending has sparked alarm from opposition councillors, who describe the authority as doing repairs “on the cheap”.

Cllr Lee Waters (Ash Ind) represents Hucknall South in County Hall.

He said: “Unfortunately, because of strategic, political decisions taken by the county council, our workers have the reputation of dodgy, cowboy builders. These figures prove they are being forced to do jobs on the cheap.

“Let me be clear, I’m not criticising council workers here, nor the sub-contractors they use.  It is the process they use to fix potholes.

“That’s why we have the worst roads in the country.”

The Conservative administration created its ongoing, cross-party highways panel as one of its first actions following May’s election victory.

The panel meets regularly and has since requested independent reviews be undertaken by both the Local Government Association and an independent consultant.

Members of the committee are currently looking to see whether different methods could be used to improve the way roads are repaired countywide.

Gary Wood, head of highways and transport on the council, said: “Since 2016, we have repaired over 476,000 defects including potholes to keep roads and pavements safe for the travelling public. But in addition to this, we have invested over £70 million in road resurfacing schemes throughout the county.

“We remain committed to ensuring the best value for money and the best standard of repairs to our highways.

“In May 2021, we announced we would be setting up a cross-party highways review panel to look at all aspects of our highways maintenance.

“This includes road inspections, improvement programmes and funding, maintenance treatments, and repair techniques.

“All our current repair techniques, including those used to fill potholes, are under review by our highways review panel.”

The council was asked how many potholes it repaired on more than one occasion during the five-year period, and how many requests were made to fix the same pothole following a previous repair job.

The authority could not provide this information but stated it finds the “failure rate is very low” for its repair jobs. It added many cases of potholes reappearing are “due to the existing material around the area where the initial pothole was repaired subsequently failing”.

However, Cllr Tom Hollis (Ash Ind), independent spokesperson on the transport and environment committee, questioned the council’s response.

He said: “We find it very hard to believe the council doesn’t hold the figures for revisiting potholes. We’ve asked for this on multiple occasions and been told this data is unavailable.

The data did, however, reveal the number of general requests for pothole repairs countywide has been on a gradual rise since 2016.

A total of 9,990 requests were made to the authority in 2016/17, rising to 13,011 in 2017/18. By March this year, it rose to 14,875 over 12 months.

In total, 63,693 requests were made for potholes to be repaired over the five-year period, with Newark and Sherwood again at the top of the list with 13,095.

A further 10,995 requests were issued in Ashfield, with Rushcliffe residents requesting slightly fewer at 10,079.

Broxtowe residents made 9,391 requests, with 8,101 in Gedling, 6,568 in Bassetlaw and 5,464 in Mansfield.

The outcome of the cross-party highways panel is expected to be reported to the transport and environment committee in the coming months, outlining what the authority will do to fix what councillors describe as its “broken roads”.

Gedling Borough Council joins with local authorities across Notts to seek deal for devolution

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Gedling Borough Council joins with local authorities across Notts to seek deal for devolution

Councils across Nottinghamshire have revealed their vision in seeking a devolved ‘county deal’ from Whitehall.

The nine Nottinghamshire local authorities say they are working together to tackle a series of issues relating to the county’s economy, as well as plans to address climate change.

They intend to seek devolution from the Government, which would bring “much-needed investment” into the county and grant more decision-making powers on important, council-led issues.

It comes as part of the Conservative Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, with ministers revealing an intention to offer more options of devolution to local authorities.

Devolution hands more power on issues including healthcare, transport, planning and development, and brings investment from Government to spend on localised projects.

A document released ahead of a key cross-council meeting next week has set out the plan for a Nottinghamshire deal, with the councils revealing their vision to “improve the lives of all Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents”.

The bid is hooked on five priority areas, including education and skills, transport, land and housing, economy and infrastructure, and the environment.

The councils plan to increase skill levels and create a better-equipped workforce, create more support into employment and accelerate actions in the Government’s Skills for Jobs white paper.

Better public transport, walking and cycling are also on the agenda, alongside improved infrastructure and connectivity countywide.

To address issues with the environment, the councils will look to maximise investment into green and blue infrastructure, create improved waste management services for residents, support woodland and biodiversity, invest in flood alleviation and accelerate net-zero carbon emission targets.

There are plans for a more “coordinated investment” in the county’s wider infrastructure, for towns and the city to be regenerated, to increase full-fibre and 5G connectivity, support businesses to work “faster and more efficiently”, and to utilise the East Midlands Development Corporation to provide more inward investment.

The councils also plan to offer more affordable housing and to reduce social isolation and health and social care costs.

It comes alongside the priority of the visitor economy and heritage, support for youth services and adolescents, investment in community safety, and public sector ‘reform’.

However, the document states this does not require “additional tiers of government or the creation of a regional or local mayor”. It does not, however, specifically rule out local government reorganisation.

County Hall Nottingham
PICTURED: County Hall

Key council leaders will discuss the plans at a meeting of the City of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Economic Prosperity Committee, on Friday, October 29.

This committee will be used to drive forward investment plans and guide the bid for devolution moving forward.

Councillor Ben Bradley MP (Con), leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The right devolution deal would enable us to deliver economic and social prosperity across our city and county.

“We would use any powers to grow the private sector by attracting investment in jobs and make sure the skills needed to match the sectors that invest in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“The long-term result would be to create jobs, raise living standards and restore local pride. Devolution is also an opportunity to improve public services.”

Cllr David Mellen (Lab), leader of Nottingham City Council, added: “Local leaders want what’s best for local people and we share common ground on a number of key issues.

“The challenges we face are immense, and partnership and collaboration are critical to improving both the long-term future of communities and the day to day lives and prospects of local people.”

The document states all nine councils are on board with the plans, with more detailed plans to be formulated in the coming months.

It is expected to draw off other plans, including the East Midlands Freeport proposals and whichever form HS2 takes in the region.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in August how some leaders and academics were sceptical of a potential devolution deal.

Council officials were urged to make sure it was “done right” and maximised opportunities for “all corners” of Nottinghamshire, including areas such as Bassetlaw which has closer ties to the South Yorkshire region.

The documents state councils will seek the support of other partners, including Nottinghamshire Police, the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, local universities and the NHS, to implement and guide a potential devolution package.

There are also plans to work with neighbouring counties, including Derbyshire and Leicestershire, to encourage further devolution and “work in a complementary way” on inter-county projects.

MP Nadia Whittome calls for urgent measures to be put into place to support women after suspected spiked needle attacks in Notts

Gedling Eye Reporter
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MP Nadia Whittome calls for urgent measures to be put into place to support women after suspected spiked needle attacks in Notts

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome has called for urgent measures to be put into place to help support victims after local police confirmed they are now investigating 12 allegations of people being spiked with a needle in city nightclubs.

The MP said she was waiting to hear from Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and also the Home Secretary after writing to them and sharing her concerns following a rise in spiking reports across Notts.

Spiking injections, also known as needle spiking, take place when an unsuspecting person is injected with drugs using a needle.

Victims of needle spiking have reported discovering a painful pinprick on their body after blacking out.

Sarah Buckle, a second-year student in Nottingham, fears she was spiked while on a night out in the city recently.

She told Sky News she spent 10 hours in hospital after becoming severely sick and woke up to a bruise on her hand.

She said: “I woke up and realised my hand was developing a bruise and it had a mark in it,” she said.

“The nurses told me ‘it seems as if you’ve been spiked possibly by a needle’. I immediately just thought about HIV, hepatitis, that’s gone straight into my body.

“I just felt physically sick that it was in my system.”

Nottinghamshire Police have now reassured the local community that any reports of spiking are being robustly investigated and taken seriously.

They revealed they have received 44 spiking reports dating from 4 September 4, 2021, with 12 of these have alleged spiking by something sharp as opposed to a traditional method of contaminated alcoholic drinks.

The first of these 12 were reported on October 2, 2021.

They said the figures have increased throughout October with the largest number of reports being made last weekend (October 15).

So far reported offences have taken place on different days at different venues and are not believed to be targeted to one specific city venue.

Following the reports, MP Nadia Whittome, who is MP for parts of Mapperley, now wants police and the Home Secretary to do more to protect women.

She told BBC Newsnight: “I’ve written to the police and crime commissioner in Nottinghamshire, asking for an urgent update on investigations.

“I’ve written to the Home Secretary asking her to work with me on a national strategy on this and I’ve organised a meeting in Nottingham of local stakeholders, women who have been affected and the student unions as well so we can draw together a list of demands to take to police, nightclubs and the Home Secretary because it’s really important that women who have been impacted by this have a say in what the solutions are.

Newsnight host Emily Maitlis asked the Nottingham East MP what she thought the solution should be.

Whittome replied: “From the early conversations I’ve had and the some of the things that might help is quick access to collection of evidence so there can be a quick and thorough police investigation.

“We need more training for staff like bouncers and bar staff and also proper support for women afterwards because if you’ve experienced sexual violence after being spiked then you will be able to access sexual violence support services, but if you don’t and if you are certain you haven’t been [sexually assaulted] then there is very little support available.”

Covid: Map reveals worst hit areas in Gedling borough over seven-day period

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Covid: Map reveals worst hit areas in Gedling borough over seven-day period

The Government has again updated information revealing how many cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Gedling borough neighbourhoods over a seven-day period.

The Home Office figures below show the case rate per 100,000 people for the seven–day period ending on October 16.

The biggest increase was 15 in Papplewick.

The biggest drop was Burton Joyce and Lambley, which was down by 26.

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 22

Case rate per 100,000 people is 383.9

Bestwood Village

Total cases 21

Case rate per 100,000 people is 349.5

Burton Joyce and Lambley

Total cases 31

Case rate per 100,000 people is 486.4

Calverton & Woodborough

Total cases 48

Case rate per 100,000 people is 511.9

Coronavirus
Infections are on the rise in most areas

Carlton

Total cases 35

Case rate per 100,000 people is 341.5

Carlton Hill

Total cases 27

Case rate per 100,000 people is 381.2

Daybrook

Total cases 21

Case rate per 100,000 people is 303.8

Gedling North

Total cases 44

Case rate per 100,000 people is 537.8

Gedling South

Total cases 60

Case rate per 100,000 people is 669.8

Mapperley & Porchester

Total cases 34

Case rate per 100,000 people is 393.1

Mapperley Park

Total cases 21

Case rate per 100,000 people is 243.7

Netherfield & Colwick

Total cases 40

Case rate per 100,000 people is 525.2

Ravenshead & Newstead (Including Linby and Papplewick)

Total cases 54

Case rate per 100,000 people is 644.9

Redhill

Total cases 26

Case rate per 100,000 people is 363.1

Woodthorpe & Arno Vale

Total cases 54

Case rate per 100,000 people is 533.6

Latest number of Covid cases in Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Latest number of Covid cases in Gedling borough

Coronavirus infection rates have fallen in Gedling borough, according to the latest figures released by Public Health England (PHE) last night.

60 new cases were reported, which is a drop from 80 reported during the previous twenty-four hour period.

613 new cases were reported across Nottinghamshire, which is slightly up on the 604 recorded the day before.

The figures for other areas of Nottinghamshire are as follows, with the number in brackets showing the previous day’s number :

Ashfield 72 (82)

Bassetlaw 96   (90)

Broxtowe 53 (48)

Mansfield 37 (55)

Newark 70 (67)

Nottingham 126 (99)

Rushcliffe 99 (83)

Sajid-Javid
PICTURED: Health secretary Sajid Javid (PHOTO: PA)

The figures were reported on the day Sajid Javid rebuffed calls to trigger England’s ‘Plan B’ for Covid despite warning cases may hit 100,000 a day.

The Health Secretary repeated his warning from July that cases could reach the milestone after a surge in recent days.

Yet he said it was not yet time to make face masks compulsory again in some public spaces – or demand vaccine passports in nightclubs.

He told a No10 press conference it was right to hold back on Plan B, because pressure on the NHS isn’t “unsustainable” yet.

That was despite the NHS Confederation begging for a “Plan B plus” to avoid the nation stumbling into a “winter crisis”.

Some 7,891 Covid patients are in UK hospitals after a steady increase over the summer.

Factory-built homes plan approved for Rolleston Drive site in Arnold that was destroyed by fire

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Factory-built homes plan approved for Rolleston Drive site in Arnold that was destroyed by fire

A new development of 131 factory-built low-cost homes – one of the largest of its kind in Nottinghamshire – is now underway in Arnold after planning permission was granted by Gedling Borough Council.

The new modular homes will be built on land in Rolleston Drive.

The land previously housed council offices that were gutted by fire back in 2017.  

After the fire, the land was cleared and concreted over.

But it will now get a new lease of life after plans for the homes got the green light last week.

The Homes England-backed scheme will deliver 45 two-bedroom homes, 73 three-bedroom homes and 13 four-bedroom homes – all of which will made available for either shared ownership or low-cost rent.

The new homes will be manufactured by ilke Homes at their 250,000 sq. ft factory in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, before being delivered to Rolleston Drive.

They will be constructed in phases consisting of 15 properties at a time and transported to site. The first homes are expected to be in place, tested and handed over in May 2022 with all 131 homes ready by summer 2023.

The houses are being manufactured for Jigsaw Homes, who will eventually own and operate the scheme.

The new development, is one of the largest modular schemes to be funded through the Affordable Homes Programme by the Government’s housing agency,

Factory built homes
PICTURED: AN example of factory-built homes, with similar ones arriving to the site in Arnold early next year
Rolleston Drive in Arnold
PICTURED: AN aerial view of the site on Rolleston Drive
Jigsaw-homes-rolleston-drive
PICTURED: Joanne Bonnington, assistant director of development at Jigsaw Homes Group and John Hickman, development director (Midlands) at ilke Homes at the Rolleston Drive site

It is Jigsaw’s first foray into delivering factory-built houses as part of its sustainability strategy and plans to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Garnet Fazackerley, operations director of development at Jigsaw Homes Group said: “This is an incredibly exciting project and one that will potentially change the way we look at development in the future.

“Not only will these homes be affordable and meet the local housing need but are beautifully built as well as being sustainable. 

“We are proud to be working with ilke Homes and Homes England to bring innovative housing to Gedling.”

Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, said: “This new scheme is breathing life into a site that has laid derelict for over six years, so it’s great to see work beginning on site.

As one of the country’s most forward-thinking housing associations, Jigsaw Homes Group shares our ambition of ensuring that the homes delivered are some of the country’s most energy-efficient, with residents benefitting from homes that are not only cheap to run, but also a joy to live in from day one, thanks to our manufacturing processes enabling us to benchmark quality at various points.

“Since securing the site last year, we’ve worked closely with Nottinghamshire County Council and Gedling Borough Council to ensure the development will deliver best value.”

Deputy Leader for Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “I’m very pleased to see work beginning at the Rolleston Drive site.

“This development will breathe much needed new life to this unused brownfield site, a site which had been an eyesore for local residents for a very long time.

“One of our main priorities is to redevelop vacant or underused sites to create affordable homes and provide much needed new homes to boost the local economy.  

“We will work together with our local housing providers to bring this development together to offer high quality, energy efficient and affordable housing for our residents and I look forward to seeing the works as they progress.”

Sainsbury’s stores across Gedling borough confirm fireworks sale ban for 2021

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Sainsbury’s stores across Gedling borough confirm fireworks sale ban for 2021

Sainsbury’s stores in Gedling borough will not be fireworks ahead of Bonfire Night next month.

The move comes as a pet charity warned over the dangers of fireworks for dogs and cats.

Sainsbury’s first stopped selling fireworks in 2019 in a move which affected all UK Stores and the retailer has confirmed this will once again be the case in 2021.

Sainsbury-sign

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We regularly review the products available in our stores and we are no longer selling fireworks based on a range of factors.

“Customers can continue to choose from a range of seasonal products, such as glow sticks and light-up spinning wands.”

The fireworks ban from Sainsbury’s has prompted praise from Dogs Trust, a charity focusing on the welfare of dogs.

The charity has urged other big retailers to do the same warning.

A spokesperson from the trust said: “Although they can look beautiful, fireworks can be very distressing for dogs when let off unexpectedly, and because they are so easily accessible all year-round, dog owners are on tenterhooks as to when their beloved pooch will next be frightened.”

Aldi said it understands the importance of animal welfare but will continue to sell fireworks in store.

Other local stores stance on fireworks…

A spokesperson said Aldi “understands the importance of animal welfare when celebrating [with fireworks] which is why our sales materials include reminders that pets should be kept safe indoors along with advice on how to make them feel secure.”

An Asda spokesperson confirmed fireworks would be on sale.

They said: “We know that many of our customers love fireworks, but we also know that some customers and their pets don’t like the noise, which is why this year we have launched a collection of low noise fireworks so that everyone can still enjoy the show.”

Tesco also confirmed it will continue to sell fireworks while Co-Op said it has not sold firework products for the past five year and has no plans to bring them back.

‘Business as usual’ for Gedling politician and councillors after murder of Sir David Amess MP

Adam Toms
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‘Business as usual’ for Gedling politician and councillors after murder of Sir David Amess MP

Gedling’s MP and Borough Council members will not be taking extra precautions after the murder of Sir David Amess MP.

The veteran MP of 38 years for Southend West was stabbed to death at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday.

The Metropolitan Police have since declared their investigation into the incident is terror related.

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, asked police forces nationwide on Saturday to review security arrangements for MPs.

Sir David Amess
PICTURED: Sir David Amess

MP for Gedling, Tom Randall, said: “While this is[…] a very important issue, I am not going to discuss the details publicly.

“Generally speaking, I’m continuing my planned activities in the constituency as before.”

Mr Randall’s last public engagement saw him visit Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a Colwick technology firm, on October 13.

In addition, a spokesperson for Gedling Borough Council said: “There are no changes to our existing arrangements for Councillors”

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, called for a “fresh start” to national politics this morning, where “hate and nastiness” are driven out.

Gedling MP Tom Randall talks to Adam Toms about tax rises, winter Covid restrictions and re-election prospects

Adam Toms
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Gedling MP Tom Randall talks to Adam Toms about tax rises, winter Covid restrictions and re-election prospects

MP for Gedling, Tom Randall, has suggested to Gedling Eye columnist and writer Adam Toms that further tax rises cannot be ruled out as the Government tackles “big issues” caused by the pandemic.

Echoing the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in recent months, Mr Randall said: “I’m for cutting taxes but it’s been a tough period and we have to tackle big issues like social care.

“There is going to be a cost to that and that will have to be financed.

“This might not be popular, no tax rise is popular, but we have to get it right. It can’t be avoided any longer.

“Social care is that big issue that needs to be tackled. It is an issue that past governments haven’t tackled.”

When asked if there may be further rise to Gedling residents’ National Insurance contributions, he added: “There is a backlog to tackle. I accept that.

“That’s why the money has been allocated in the way it has so it goes to social care. I’m confident of this.

“I’m not the chancellor of the exchequer. I don’t have all the treasury modelling.

“The levy [National Insurance] will affect people, but there are exemptions to that.

“For example, class two or three won’t pay and the richest will be paying the lion’s share.”

National Insurance classes are dependent on peoples’ annual earnings.

Those employed by an employer can choose to pay National Insurance contributions to fill or avoid gaps in their National Insurance record.

Those in Class 2 who are self-employed and earning profits of £6,515 or more a year have to pay National Insurance contributions.

Class 3 workers’ contributions are entirely voluntary.

People have to pay contributions, however, to be eligible for state pensions and Government benefits.

In September, the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “The levy will result in poorer workers paying a higher proportion of their income in national insurance.

“For poorer non-retired households, national insurance would rise from 7.22 per cent to 7.93 per centof their gross income, compared to richer ones who would see a rise from 4.72 per cent to 5.21 per cent.”

When asked about whether now, with inflation, rising energy prices, and probable future tax rises, was the good time to cut back Universal Credit to pre-pandemic levels, Mr Randall said: “Decisions that the Government make are never easy. I get that.

“That was always a temporary rise, a Covid specific response.

“We are now sort of coming out of Covid and measures are being removed.

“The rise was always going to have a date on which it ended and we’re getting to that.

“There is support out there for people struggling such as the Household Support Fund to help pay peoples’ bills in winter.

“£5.5m has also been allocated to Nottinghamshire which will mitigate peoples’ issues.”

Regarding potential winter restrictions to combat a rise in cases of the flu and Covid-19, Mr Randall said: “I would support winter Covid restrictions if something were necessary.”

Not being drawn on the details of said “necessary” conditions, he added: “I’d be in favour of action that keeps as much of the economy and society open as much as possible.

“We value it more now we’ve sort of got back to normal.

“For example, going to the pub, restaurant, mixing with other people.

“We must protect as much of this as we can. That interaction is important for us as people”.

Mr Randall said he received “regular updates from hospitals describing ICU and patient numbers”.

“I also get the odd e-mail from a minority of people saying there isn’t a problem, that Covid isn’t an issue.

“I say to them, “you should be on my call. If you had heard the figures, you’d understand the measures we’ve taken”.

He suggested that “there will have to be an assessment as to where the point of further restrictions would be”.

The Prime Minister said Covid-19 still presented a risk when outlining his winter plan in September. 

He outlined a ‘Plan A’ and a ‘Plan B’.

Plan A includes protection from vaccines, maintenance of Test, Trace and Isolate, public advice, and aiming to help “vaccinate the world”.

The plan also says that “a Plan B[…] would only be enacted if the data suggests further measures are necessary to protect the NHS”.

The Government has not so far defined what the hospitalisation or death figures would have to be to trigger “Plan B”.

Mr Randall said, “the vaccination program has weakened the link between cases and hospital admissions.

Two years ago we could only dream of. Appreciated step forward we’ve made.

The metrics seem to be ok at the moment. Just had letter for booster. Reiterate sign up when people do get that. That’s helped us, a fantastic success.

When asked about a report by MPs released last week which found that the Government made “big mistakes” which cost “thousands” of lives during its response to the pandemic in 2020, Mr Randall said: “The Government dealt with a very difficult set of facts.

“It was an event throng on them suddenly involving every aspect of daily life. Big decisions had to be made really quickly.

“It’s not easy making these decisions. In due course there will be public inquiry.

“I would challenge anybody to say that they could have made significantly different or better decisions.

When asked about the next General Election, he added: “I’m ready any time subject to re-adoption from Gedling Conservative Association, of course.

“I don’t see any trouble there.”

He did not offer a prediction as to when the next election might be.

He said: “It could be at any time. As long as it’s not next week

“In the next few years, possibly.”

Taxi driver ‘threatened with knife’ by customer who demanded cash in Carlton

Gedling Eye
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Taxi driver ‘threatened with knife’ by customer who demanded cash in Carlton

A taxi driver was reportedly threatened with a knife in Carlton by a customer who demanded money. 

The driver picked up the passenger from a taxi rank in Lower Parliament Street before taking him to Tesco Superstore in Carlton Hill in Carlton at around 10.20pm last night (October 16).

When they arrived, the customer asked to be taken to a different location instead. The taxi driver asked the fare to be paid upfront but the customer refused.

The taxi driver said he would only move off if he was paid some cash. 

According to the taxi driver’s account, the passenger then produced a knife and demanded money.

The taxi driver then opened his door to get out and the passenger did the same. The taxi driver then jumped back into his vehicle and locked the doors before driving away.

Police were called and a suspect was quickly located. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and taken into custody.

Detective Constable Clint Gloyn, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This incident would have been terrifying for the taxi driver and I am pleased officers were able to detain a suspect within minutes. 

“An 18-year-old man is now being questioned in connection with the attempted robbery but I would ask that anyone who has any information to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“If you have any information, footage or witnessed the incident, please do not hesitate to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 776 of 116 October 2021. 

“I’d also like to reassure local residents that the force takes all reports of knife-related offences extremely seriously.

“We understand that incidents like this can be concerning for communities and if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to speak to one of our local officers in the area.”

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