Work has begun on the £4m redevelopment of the Arnold Market Place site.
Gedling Borough Council today confirmed that contracts have been signed with developers G F Tomlinson to begin preliminary works on the site from this week.
The company, who previously built the council’s iconic Café 1899 at Gedling Country Park, will begin preparing the site by removing old hoardings and excavating the ground to start laying out the foundations for the new building.
The project in Arnold Town Centre will receive the most significant investment it has ever had with up to £4 million allocated to the project as part of the council’s plan to revitalise the centre and create a new space that will help boost visitors to the town centre and support local businesses.
The plans include the construction of a new landmark building, between the existing Methodist Church and King George V Park.
A two-storey building will frame the new market place as well as create a new eastern gateway into Arnold Town Centre.
PICTURED: Work gets underway of the redevelopment of Arnold’s Market Place (IMAGE: Gedling Borough Council)
A new public space will be created as a central focal point for the Market. The new building will provide seven small outlets for local independent businesses with flexible space above, which could be used for a variety of commercial options.
Funding for this project will come from the council’s capital programme budget, boosted by a successful bid for £1.25 million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund that supports town centre improvements.
The project will create around 40 new jobs through business employment and through the construction of the new buildings.
The building has been designed by Maber Architects, who specialise in landscape and master planning services. The council is also working with local designers on the branding and naming of the building, which is likely to be announced in the next month.
The building is expected to be completed by spring 2022.
Health inspectors discovered human waste, blood and dried food on the floors and walls of a mental health hospital in Arnold.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated The Priory Hospital ‘inadequate’ and placed it in special measures following the inspection in March.
The inspection was said to have taken place after anonymous sources reported poor hygiene and gaps in patient safety measures at the independent hospital for adults.
The CQC told the BBC they also found found dirty toilets and a bag of urine that had been left for several days.
Dr Kevin Cleary, from the CQC, said standards of cleanliness were “well below what people should be able to expect”.
A Priory Group spokesman told the BBC that ‘a significant amount of work has taken place since the CQC visited in March’
They said they have now improved procedures, governance, and staff training so we deliver consistently high-quality, safe care.
“This work has been overseen by a new hospital director and senior management, and we already have a significantly improved environment for our patient, the said.
“We provided assurance to the CQC that effective and rigorous systems around safety, hygiene, and infection control are in place.”
The CQC told the BBC that ‘if there was insufficient improvement, it would use its enforcement powers to protect patients and hold the hospital leaders to account’.
Seven knives have been seized by the Gedling South Neighbourhood Policing Team during weapon sweeps in parks across the borough.
Team members seized the blades from various places after carrying out weapons sweeps in Jubilee Park, Standhill Park, Brick Yard Estate and Conway Road Park in Carlton. They also searched Stoke Lane and Gedling House Woods in Gedling
Of the four knives recovered, three were handed to police by a member of the public after they had been found hidden in a park in the Brick Yard Estate. The fourth was found by police hidden behind a tree in Jubilee Park.
The team also went into Netherfield and Carlton conducting a mixture of plain clothes and uniform foot patrols, as well as visiting the retail park in relation to reports of anti-social use of vehicles.
Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Becky O’Connor said: “In support of the national Operation Sceptre campaign we have spent a lot of time out of foot completing weapons sweeps, conducting stop and searches of people and vehicles and focussing our attention on the areas that the public have told us are concerns for them. This has included doing regular patrols of Conway Road Park, Jubilee Park and Stoke Lane after dark.
“Whilst we were in Jubilee Park on Tuesday (27 April 2021) the team went ‘off road’ and managed to climb a bank and drop down under the railway bridge where the public have told us that there are often groups behaving anti-socially and using drugs. We did find evidence of this and have fed this back to our partners in a bid to tackle this issue.”
Yesterday (Thursday 29 April 2021) the team was back out and about in their community focussing on crime hot-spot areas.
Sgt O’Connor added: “The team has worked incredibly hard this week balancing demand as well as the proactive work in support of Operation Sceptre. I would like to thank them all for their tireless work and commitment and also thank members of the public for their continued support as we continue to tackle knife crime by working together.”
A popular level crossing in Burton Joyce has been temporarily closed due to ‘repeated misuse’ and 16 near misses in two years.
Network Rail took the decision to temporarily close the Chestnut Grove footpath level crossing following an incident over the weekend.
The firm say passenger and freight trains travel on the busy line between Nottingham and Newark at speeds of up to 60mph. They cannot stop quickly or swerve out of the way and you can’t anticipate when the next one is due.
Network Rail’s community safety team have visited local schools in the area to raise awareness of using level crossings safely and warn children about the dangers of deliberately misusing them.
Before the decision to close the crossing was made, Network Rail was planning to carry out work this summer to improve safety.
Teams will be installing wicket gates closer to the railway, so it is easier for people to make a decision on whether it is safe to cross. CCTV will also be installed, and the crossing surface will be improved.
PICTURED: Access to the crossing on Chestnut Grove (IMAGE: Google Maps)
Once this work is complete, the level crossing is expected to reopen and the behaviour of those using it will be monitored to find out whether further action is needed.
Vinny Briggs, route level crossing manager, said: “Safety is our main priority and over the last few years we’ve worked to balance this with the needs of the community in Burton Joyce. We’ve seen too many incidents at Chestnut Grove footpath level crossing where people have misjudged or misused it and we have taken the decision to close it.
“It’s never safe to hang around on a level crossing or trespass on the tracks. Some people don’t seem to realise just how much danger they are putting themselves in.
“Once the level crossing reopens, it is vital that people concentrate, pay attention to the warning signs and cross safely and directly.”
Anneliese Dodds spoke about the importance of supporting the high street yesterday during a visit to Arnold town centre where she was joined by local Labour election candidates.
Labour’s shadow chancellor was shown many of the improvements currently taking place in the borough’s capital.
Ms Dodds also inspected the work now underway to regenerate Arnold’s Market Place.
She was joined on the walk by Labour Arnold candidates Michael Payne, John Clarke and Michelle Welsh, who are all hoping to keep their seats and continue representing the town at Nottinghamshire County Council meetings.
While on a walk of the town, Labour’s shadow chancellor was also asked for her views on how the panemic had impacted the high street and what could be done to ensure it thrives in the future.
She told Notts TV: “The way that so many of us shop in changing and it is different. Our high street will look and feel different in the future.
Carlton East candidate Nikki Brooks, left, shows Labour’s shadow chancellor the good work taking place at Netherfield’s Food Bank (PHOTO: Twitter/Anneliese Dodds)On the campaign trail in Netherfield (PHOTO: Twitter/Anneliese Dodds)
We’ve got to be backed by an activist government that has really got to be supporting our high streets and unfortunately, under the Conservatives they seem to be very hands off. They are not willing to grapple with those big issues.
“Labour has set up a commission on the high streets and why we’ve got a five point plan to really deal with those problems so the high streets can thrive.”
The government has set up a £675 Future High Street fund and bids were put submitted for a share of the pot for Arnold and Carlton but they weren’t selected for funding.
Following her visit to Arnold, Ms Dodds was joined by Carlton East Labour candidate Nicki Brooks for a walk around Netherfield.
She was shown the impressive work being carried out by the town’s Food Bank during her visit.
Ms Dodds also joined the candidates out on the campaign trail in the town and knocked on doors calling on residents to support Labour in the upcoming election.
She said: “There was a lot of support for Nikki Brooks on the doorsteps.”
The local elections take place next week. Check out our guide on all you need to know to make sue you cast your vote
Severn Trent say they need to close Westdale Lane East between Adbolton Avenue & Ramsdale Road, NG4 3NA. to aid the repair
‘There may be an increase in traffic around this area during peak times and we’re really sorry if this impacts your journey today.’
Severn Trent say they aim to have issued ‘fixed by 2pm’.
Some customers say they their service has returned.
Carlton le Willows Academy website released a statement confirming they are “closed to all students for the rest of the day” because of the “district-wise disruption to water supply”.
A burst water pipe on Lambley Lane has left hundreds of people in the borough without water or experiencing low pressure this morning.
A spokesman for Severn Trent Water said: “We can’t apologise enough for the inconvenience to anyone affected by the burst pipe this morning, as we know how important it is to have water right now.
“One of our larger pipes has burst on Lambley Lane, in Gedling and we have teams on site digging to excavate the pipe, so we can start repairs. Our engineers are also going to be moving water around our network, operating valves, and using tankers to help get the water back on as quickly as possible for everyone.
“We’re also going to be arranging for bottled water to be delivered to our most vulnerable customers.
“Again, we’re really sorry about this and it will be our absolute priority to make sure that everyone’s water is back on as quickly as possible.”
Residents in the NG3, NG4 areas are affected, with a full map of the areas impacted below.
Some have reported complete water loss, while other residents are experiencing low water pressure from their taps.
Some schools in the area are also contacting parents to inform them about plans to close due to the lack of water supply.
This Severn Trent map reveals which areas have been affected
Which schools are open or closed?
Both Phoenix Infant School and Priory Junior School in Gedling have informed parents they won’t be opening today.
A Facebook post from Friends of Phoenix PTA read: “Due to having no water our school is unable to open. If this changes we will update you soon as we can.”
Stanhope Primary and Nursery School are closed but ‘are hoping to open for an afternoon session’.
A spokesperson for the school contacted Gedling Eye and said: “Pupils should access remote learning via our usual learning platforms”
Parkdale Primary School is closed. A spokesman said: “School is closed for the morning. We have no water due to the ongoing supply problems. Next update re the afternoon session at 11:30am.
Carlton le Willows informed us they will be open today as ‘local drops in water pressure are not affecting the school’.
Willow Farm Primary School remains open as ‘they still have water supply’.
Gedling Access Road team ‘aware of issue’
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire County Council said: “The Gedling Access Road team are aware of the Severn Trent Water pipe bursting overnight and the impact this is having on the local area.”
“Rest assured, Severn Trent Water are out on site and partners are supporting them through their repair works, in order to resolve this issue.”
Advice from Severn Trent Water
The water supplier has been contacting people in the area affected by text.
They say’ There is currently an issue in the area and 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 this is nothing to worry about. To fix it run your cold water tap slowly (about a pencil thickness). Wait for 20 minutes and your water should then be clear.
This is a breaking news story and updates will appear here
Police raided a property in Woodthorpe this morning (April 28) as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of illegal drugs in the area.
More than a dozen officers leapt from police vans in a carefully coordinated raid in Weaverthorpe Road at around 6.20am.
The raid was supported by specialist financial investigators, members of the Gedling Operation Reacher Team and tactical support officers.
Dramatic footage taken from the scene shows a large double front-door being forced open and a suspect being led away from the scene.
A quantity of cash, mobile phones and financial records were seized from the address.
A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and has since been released under investigation.
Sergeant Matt Sisson, of the Gedling Operation Reacher team, said: “This morning’s raid was part of an ongoing investigation and is indicative of our wider efforts to make life as difficult as possible for people who we suspect to be involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs.
“Cracking down on drug related crime is a key community priority for us and we will continue using the considerable resources we have at our disposal to ensure that all leads are investigated and that resolute enforcement action is taken where we believe it to be necessary.
“I hope that this morning’s raid will provide reassurance to local residents about our determinations to pursue our investigations. The good news is that the sustained increase in police numbers and resources mean we have more time to pursue these types of proactive activities and to act on any intelligence that we receive.”
TSB is reminding customers in Netherfield that banking services will still be available elsewhere in the town after the local branch closes.
The branch on Victoria Road will close tomorrow (April 29).
The banking giant say that alternative arrangements have been made for customers not wanting to bank online only.
A spokesman for TSB told Gedling Eye: “This will doubtless be disappointing to TSB’s customers in Netherfield. However, alternative banking provision is available to local residents at post office branches nearby.”
PICTURED: TSB branch on Victoria Road in Netherfield closes on Thursday
The nearest post offices to the closing TSB bank, Netherfield branch are:
Netherfield Post Office –42 Victoria Road, Netherfield, Nottingham NG4 2HG
Carlton Post Office – 78 Station Road, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 3DA
Darley Avenue Post Office – 93 Westdale Lane, Carlton Nottingham
The bank said each of these branches offers banking services – including deposits, free cash withdrawals and balance checks, as well as offering face-to-face access to government services, bill payment, foreign currency, travel insurance and, of course, postal services.
They added there are currently 2,000 free-to-use ATMs installed across the UK post office network also.
A spokesman added: “Post offices are proving vital to retaining people’s and business’s access to cash as the banks continue to desert the high street in order to cut costs and increase their profits.
“Every post office plays a vital role within the heart of the local community. Post offices provide a reliable and essential service which has continued at a high standard across the whole of the UK throughout the pandemic.”
A burglar smashed a window before climbing through into a house in Netherfield and stealing a woman’s handbag.
David Carey broke into the address in Deabill Street before running off during the early hours of November 7, 2020.
The victim and her partner were confronted by Carey after hearing the window smash. He fled with the bag which had a purse inside containing bank cards, toiletries and a quantity of cash.
Police swiftly responded to the report and arrested the 37-year-old later that morning.
Following an extensive investigation some of the stolen goods were recovered in a nearby road and Carey was forensically linked to these items.
Carey, of HMP Nottingham, was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to burglary. He was jailed for 20 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 19 April 2021.
Detective Constable Christopher Copley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Burglary in itself is an incredibly intrusive crime, but coming face to face with an offender makes it even more traumatic.
“We know burglary is a blight on our communities but I want to reassure people that we treat all reports seriously and will investigate offences, support victims and work tirelessly to get offenders behind bars.
“Nottinghamshire Police has dedicated burglary teams in place which continue to work collaboratively with other specialist police teams to drive down burglaries and target offenders.”
Tackling and reducing burglary is among the key local policing priorities now being focussed on by police teams in the Gedling borough.
This ongoing work will involve involved the Gedling Neighbourhood Policing Team, Gedling Reacher Team and Special Constables conducting a mixture of plain-clothed and high-visibility patrols in burglary hot-spot areas and increased patrols.
Gedling Neighbourhood Policing Team inspector Chris Pearson said: “We want to send the clear message that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in the Gedling borough and we will continue to target offenders who persist in causing harm and misery in our communities.
“We are continuing to work closely together with our partners at Gedling Borough Council to tackle issues that our local residents and businesses have told us matter most to them.
“We understand the significant detrimental impact burglary can have and I’d like to reassure people that we will take robust action against those responsible for committing such offences and seek justice for victims.”
On May 6, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will elect their local representatives.
In Nottinghamshire, the electorate will choose their Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) – the voters’ representative aiming to hold local police services to account – and local councillors.
Local council elections in England and Wales use the first-past-the-post system.
The ballot paper will list candidates for their respective wards, and voters can vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies.
Police and Crime Commissioners are elected using a slightly different voting process.
Voters will rank their two favoured candidates as a first and a second choice.
If a candidate wins 50% or more of the first-preference votes, they win outright.
Alternatively, all but the top two candidates are eliminated, and the second-preference votes of eliminated candidates are reallocated to the surviving candidates.
The candidate with the highest resulting total is elected.
Paddy Tipping (Labour) won a convincing victory in 2016 with 47% of the vote. His Conservative rival, Tony Harper, accumulating 28%.
The political landscape in 2021 – after the U.K.’s exit from the EU and the beginning of a global pandemic – is unrecognisable from that of 2016, however.
Despite recent revelations regarding the sometimes questionable conduct of current and ex-Tory grandees, the Conservative Party continues to enjoy a buoyant position in the polls as Keir Starmer struggles to recover from Labour’s Corbyn years.
A week ago, polls projected a gap between the two largest Westminster parties resembling that seen betwixt Margaret Thatcher and Michael Foot in 1983 after the former’s landmark Falklands victory.
Naturally, this has resulted in optimism amongst local Conservative ranks as the PM seeks to rectify Theresa May’s horror show in 2017.
Nottinghamshire Tories have been speaking of a promising amount of positive reception, with representatives being stopped in the street and receiving thumbs up with beeps from passing car horns.
The question is, however, to what extent will this translate to votes and a consequential swing towards the blue team from what is usually a very strong performance from their red chief opponents?
The gap between 2016’s PCC candidates was considerable, and it would take a huge upturn in Conservative fortunes in Nottinghamshire for their candidate, Caroline Henry, to claim victory.
This turn towards the Tories, however, is not only conceivable and likely, but has already occurred.
In 2019, trademark simplistic messaging from Dominic Cummings – and adroit management from various campaign organisers – ensured the virtual demolition of Labour’s ‘Red Wall’, including in the East Midlands.
Gedling MP, Tom Randall, was a beneficiary of this.
Momentum from this success will most likely survive into May, resulting in larger numbers crossing Conservative boxes.
Be that as it may, it is indeed common for some areas to prefer different parties for national and provincial governance, and some Nottinghamshire residents may choose to stick with or regain faith in local Labour representatives.
The deeply partisan Brexit issue, used by Johnson in order to garner huge amounts of appeal from Nottinghamshire’s usually Labour supporting ‘Leave’ voters, has been replaced by criticism of the PM’s indecisiveness and seemingly endless lockdowns.
Boris Johnson and his party’s candidates are embracing an Atlee-esque aim to ‘build back better’ after such huge affliction has been dealt to communities by the Coronavirus pandemic
This has been accompanied by care home and exam blunders, amongst others, from the government, in addition to the highest overall death rate in Europe.
Although macabre, these may still play into Labour’s hands.
Starmer is also currently attempting to push the topic of ‘the return of Tory sleaze’ after the leaking of dodgy texts from David Cameron and Boris Johnson, a talking point that the public is responding to according to the party’s researchers.
Despite these damaging factors, the Conservative’s trump card is a genuinely world leading, as opposed to a far from “world beating” test and trace system, vaccination rollout. This positivity and a slow return to normality will be on elector’s minds when they decide who to support.
Boris Johnson and his party’s candidates are aiming to consolidate this hope by embracing an Atlee-esque aim to ‘build back better’ after such huge affliction has been dealt to communities by a catastrophic international and national crisis.
In this case, inflicted not by a world war but by a viral killer invisible to the naked eye.
Labour councillors are catchable but, with a strong historical foundation of support, Conservative campaigners must go at full throttle.
Moreover, a recent spate of robbery and burglary in Arnold, resulting in additional police patrols, compliments Mrs Henry’s emphasis on a larger police presence.
Her party leader, of course, has also pledged an additional 20,000 recruits nationwide.
This will also please those concerned about the safety of women and girls following the death of Sarah Everard in March.
Paddy Tipping will also emphasise police presence, but hard-line policies on law and order are always relatively more associated with his rivals.
Notwithstanding this, Mr Tipping’s 2016 lead is larger than those of his councillor colleagues and will be harder for Mrs Henry to surmount.
The Labour PCC candidate has come across as clearly passionate about racial inequalities.
One must not forget the Green Party within this tussle of the usual giants.
Concerns regarding climate change have proliferated since 2017, resulting in more votes for candidates nationwide – particularly within younger metropolitan areas – though whilst most likely still not attaining a huge number of seats.
