If you’re thinking of travelling by train to Skegness this weekend, the advice is – don’t.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) is urging passengers not to travel to Skegness or other Lincolnshire destinations this weekend to help protect the local communities.
Trains to Skegness run daily from Netherfield Station.
EMR has said it will be enforcing social distancing on trains to and from Skegness this weekend. This will reduce capacity by approximately 80% and as such, passengers who still choose to travel will be required to queue in the station and may face a wait of several hours to board a train.
There will be no additional trains or bus services provided.
The train firm said this approach was in line with Government advice on the use of public transport – it should only be used by key workers or those who have absolutely no alternative means to make essential journeys, such as to and from work.
PICTURED: Passengers can board services to Skegness from Netherfield Station (IMAGE: Gedling Eye)
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Potential passengers are also reminded the vast majority of attractions and facilities in Skegness remain closed, including public toilets, parking, restaurants, hotels and other amenities.
Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are very proud to serve Skegness and during normal times we would do all we can to help encourage travel and support our local communities.
“Unfortunately, these are far from normal times and we have to take appropriate measures.
“We are helping to support our local partners to reflect their very clear message to potential visitors – now is not the time to visit. So please, stay away and protect the local communities of Skegness and Lincolnshire.”
Charlotte Goy, Interim CEO at Visit Lincoln, added: “At the moment we must work together to protect the Lincolnshire community and not overwhelm local services. It will be worth it, Lincolnshire is looking forward to welcoming you back when the time is right”.
Council chiefs have revealed they are working on plans to reopen borough libraries this July.
Inspire, who run local libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, have now been tasked with ensuring that some branches may start reopening from July 6.
Staff have been informed they will start return to library premises in the coming weeks to make the necessary preparations to welcome visitors within government guidelines.
Peter Gaw CEO of Inspire said, “The priority will be staff and customer safety, which means we will have to operate in a different way with a reduced service, limited capacity in buildings, additional cleaning measures and guidelines in place for social distancing.
“We will be having a phased approach to resuming a face-to-face library service. A limited loan, information and ICT service will be on offer, with each library having a specific, pre-set visitor capacity which will allow people to distance themselves and be safe”.
Cllr John Cottee, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities & Place Committee said: “I’m really pleased that we are now in the planning stage of opening physical sites again to help support the needs of our communities during this difficult time”.
Inspire, who deliver culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council will issue more details about which libraries will be open, opening times and range of services in the coming weeks.
Nottingham City Transport will introduce some additional bus services for people in Arnold, Carlton and Mapperley as demand increases as more people return to work as current government restrictions are gradually lifted.
The extra services will begin operating from Sunday, May 31.
Government advice remains that people should not use public transport except for essential journeys and that people must not travel if they are unwell, show any COVID-19 symptoms or are living with anyone who is self-isolating.
The additional borough services are:
· Lilac 25: City to Arnold via Carlton, Westdale Lane and Mapperley
· Lime 56: City to Arnold via Sherwood and Plains Estate
· Lime 59: City to Arnold via Arnold
· Purple 87: City to Arnold via Sherwood and City Hospital
Improvements will also be made to existing services:
Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Marketing Manager said, “Bus users in Nottingham have followed the government’s advice exceptionally well in recent months. The number of people travelling on our buses has been 90% lower throughout lockdown and was broadly the same last week, even after the Prime Minister’s announcement on May 10, 2020.
“We are conscious though that as restrictions may relax further in the next few weeks, we need to provide some additional capacity”.
Timetables for these additional services are available at nctx.co.uk and in the NCTX Buses app, with an updated Timetable Booklet in production, which can be requested by calling 0115 950 60 70 and will be posted out to customers.
Last week, the Department for Transport issued “Safer Travel Guidance for Passengers” which included advice for people to wear a facial covering on public transport, where social distancing is not always possible. The full guidance is available at https://www.nctx.co.uk/safertravel and all customers must familiarise themselves with the guidance before using NCT services.
To keep customers safe on board buses, NCT continues to follow an enhanced and rigorous cleaning regime, paying additional attention to the parts of buses that are most commonly touched, such as doors, poles, bells, card readers.
Employees are being provided with access to wipes, gloves, facial coverings and hand sanitiser as well as regular guidance and reinforcement about the expectations and requirements on them whilst at work.
On board buses, some seats have been closed off to support social distancing and customers are encouraged to use window seats only and sit a row away from people they do not live with, where possible.
There is currently no planned date for when additional services or a full service will resume.
Nottingham City Transport said it continues to review and follow government guidance and is closely monitoring usage levels on a daily basis and will make further announcements on this in due course.
Calls have been made by residents in Gedling borough to introduce medals recognising the bravery of healthcare workers, volunteers and carers fighting coronavirus.
Gedling MP Tom Randall was asked to raise awareness of the calls in the House of Commons by constituent Elizabeth Gull. He asked a question to Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the possibility of starting up a scheme during PMQs yesterday.
Mr Randall, who was elected as the constituency MP in December’s General Election, said: “My constituent Elizabeth Gull has proposed the creation of a medal for NHS workers and others to recognise their distinguished service in their work against coronavirus.
PICTURED: The House of Commons hear Gedling MP Tom Randall’s question during PMQs
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“I think this idea has merit. Would my right honourable friend consider a medal or another accolade in the fulness of time for those who have gone above and beyond in the last few months?
Mr Johnson replied: “We are indeed looking at the excellent suggestion made by my Right Honourable Friend’s constituent, Elizabeth and we are thinking how to recognise the work of healthcare staff, of carers and many others and we are engaging with staff and employers the the present time.”
Speaking after PMQs, Tom said “I am delighted to hear that the Prime Minster is considering a way in which to recognise the service of our key workers during this extraordinary time.
“I look forward to being involved locally in thanking those across Gedling who have volunteered to help their vulnerable neighbours, carers, nurses, doctors, paramedics, cleaners and porters”.
With the UK heading towards a significant recession, now is the time to look at scrapping district and borough councils and replacing them with one council for the whole of Notts, according to the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council.
With councils under significant financial pressure exacerbate by the coronavirus response, it was right to look now at how to run services more efficiently in the future, Conservative council leader Kay Cutts has said.
But critics have argued the timing of the announcement was ‘massively insensitive’ and that local government reorganisation should ‘absolutely not be a priority’ during the current pandemic.
The controversial ‘super council’ plan – which was fiercely resisted by district and borough councils – was shelved in 2018.
Nottinghamshire County Council
The Conservatives on the county wanted to scrap Nottinghamshire’s seven districts and borough councils – and the county council – and replace them all with one single council for the whole of Notts, excluding the city.
They have estimated it would save between £27 million and £30 million a year for taxpayers.
But opponents to the plan argue it would be costly to set up, and would erode local decision making.
Now, the possibility of a new ‘super council’ will be examined again by a new committee.
The new group will look at the council’s coronavirus response, and whether setting up a single council afterwards could help make savings needed because of the crisis.
The committee is expected to be formally set up next week.
Speaking today Conservative councillor Kay Cutts, who represents Radcliffe on Trent, said: “We’re very concerned that the economy of the county is going to suffer.
“We know there are savings annually of between £27 and £30 million every year, and if we can save that sort of money in local government then you should.
“We’ve had 10 years of austerity which seems quite pointless now because (the Government) has shelled out billions of pounds to prop up the economy and furlough workers, so clearly we have to make sure as a council that we do save money wherever we can by being as efficient as we can, but also by not having anything that’s unnecessary.
“Because the country is so short of income, there aren’t many places to go in terms of raising taxation, I don’t think the chancellor will want to do that for all sorts of reasons.
“I don’t think families can afford much more taxation and therefore we must look at the other side and say how can we spend less?”
“We have a real duty to make sure that everything we spend is necessary to provide services and not merely window dressing that makes us feel good about ourselves.”
Asked about the timing of the announcement, and the decision to include local government reorganisation in the work of the coronavirus committee, councillor Cutts said: “It’s part and parcel of the same thing.
“The epidemic has changed the way we do so many things, and it’s showed us what’s possible
Councillor Simon Greaves is the Labour leader of Bassetlaw District Council, and represents the Worksop North East ward.
He said: “There will be a huge number of people utterly bemused that in the midst of trying to respond to a global pandemic the county council is looking at local government reorganisation.
“It’s about priorities. The priority for us (Bassetlaw) is dealing with the crisis, dealing with the humanitarian effort, processing all the benefit claims and looking after vulnerable people.
“I find it utterly amazing. Why this would be a political priority right now I just have no idea. We need to be giving this pandemic our undivided attention.
“It is rank opportunism, with incredibly insensitive timing.
“People in Westminster will be scratching their heads and thinking ‘There goes Nottinghamshire again’, and this just isn’t the time for any of this.”
Councillor Jason Zadrozny is the leader of Ashfield District Council for the Ashfield Independents, and is also a county councillor.
He pledged to do ‘everything possible’ to save the district council.
He said: “We’re not giving up without a fight. You’ve only got to look at the coronavirus epidemic to see that Ashfield gets a poor deal from County Hall.
“It was only a few weeks ago that we released figures that showed that the county council had “failed the most vulnerable” through community funding.
“Then they failed to reopen our recycling centre in Kirkby while reopening others.
“Ashfield District Council has really stepped to the plate during this crisis.
“We’ve been let down by the cruel, callous Tories.
“People lent their support to the Tories in huge numbers in December’s General Election – they will feel very let down today.”
Friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man today swung in to lift children’s spirits during lockdown in Gedling.
The popular Marvel hero has today been spotted around the streets of the village, much to the delight of youngsters in the area.
The webslinger’s visit has been organised by TB Sport, which carries out sports coaching and activity camps in the area.
PICTURED: Spidey waves to residents in Gedling during his patrol earlierIMAGE: TB Sports
The firm’s founder Tom Bingley told Gedling Eye: “It’s important especially at this moment in time to keep everyone’s spirits up.
“When so many things have been paused or taken away from us this can be difficult.
“It’s great to see the reactions from the children and adults. I know the children I teach PE to in the area are missing school, their friends and their clubs but have also noticed that most children who are still coming to school are in Avengers and Spiderman clothing so I feel it reaches out to a lot of people and has been great fun for all. “
Spidey has made sure he follows social distancing rules on his runs.
Police have released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with an aggravated burglary and an incident of criminal damage in Arnold.
Officers are investigating one report of criminal damage in Stanhope Crescent, Arnold, at around 11pm on Friday, April 17, as well as a report of an aggravated burglary at the same property two days later at around 5.40am on Sunday, April 19.
A police spokesman said: “Two men have already been arrested and charged in relation to these incidents but officers would also like to speak with this man as part of their enquiries.”
If you recognise him or think you can help, please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 97 of 19 April 2020.
Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome is to host an online panel to hear how students are coping amid the covid-19 crisis.
The panel takes place tomorrow (May 20) and will include representatives from the Students Union and student activists.
Nadia Whittome said: “My office has been contacted by a large number of students who have been adversely affected by this pandemic.
“Many students work in the gig economy or rely on zero hours contracts because loans do not cover living costs. Their incomes have been greatly reduced and many report being unable to continue paying rent on their empty properties.
“I have organised this event to give my student constituents an opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and tell me how COVID-19 has impacted them”.
Over 150 scarecrows of all shapes and sizes have gone on display as part of the first scarecrow festival in Mapperley, which was launched to give people something to smile about during lockdown.
The scarecrows, which are doted around the town, can be found via a special Google Map and will now be on display until May 31.
The festival was organised by Mapperley-based mums Maria Narducci, Natasha Williams and Natalie Hallam.
Maria is also the Co-op member pioneer for the Mapperley store.
She said: “The response to the Mapperley Scarecrow Festival has been phenomenal.
“We had the idea to create the Festival as a positive way for the community and local businesses to come together at a difficult time and we’re amazed and delighted by the response, especially seeing how many people have viewed the map to enjoy the Scarecrows as part to their daily exercise. We’re looking forward to seeing who the public choose as the winners.”
“The Scarecrows are incredibly creative including everything from celebrities to celebrations of the NHS. There are humans, animals and mythical creatures – there’s a mermaid and a kracken!
A scarecrow of Mary Poppins
Categories and Prizes for the Mapperley Scarecrow Trail 2020
1. MOST LIKES
Judged by the public vote, by gaining the most likes for their photo on Facebook. All the photos are in the online albums in the ‘What’s on Mapperley’ Facebook group. Voting ends on Friday 22nd May
1st Prize: Family Pass to White Posts Farm
2nd Prize: £15 Gift Voucher for Razzle Dazzle Pots
3rd Prize: Perfume Gift Set from Holy Cannoli
2. BEST DRESSED
Chosen by Vernon Coaker
1st Prize: Hamper from Deli-icious
2nd Prize: Two tickets for the Haywood Road Community Centre Silent Disco and Slime Making Kit
3. BEST USE OF RECYCLED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Judged by the admin team for the event
Prize: CO-OP BIG NIGHT IN Prosecco, chocolates, popcorn, sweets and pop
A conservationist has blasted those responsible for cutting grass in an area of a country park being used by rare birds for ground nesting.
Philip Wood, who lives in Gedling, has called the decision to strim the area near the solar panels in Gedling Country Park ‘disgusting’
Mr Wood, who visits the park regularly with his wife, Linda, said if those responsible didn’t know this act would kill the rare nesting ground birds who use this area then ‘they need to be educated’.
He told Gedling Eye: “For weeks now, skylarks have been breeding in the park – their amazing song is evident of this.
“Many nest in the solar park compound, while others use the undisturbed grassland around the panels as it’s a fabulous site for ground-nesting birds. It also provides valuable food sources for the birds in the nesting season
PICTURED: The area used by rare birds in the park for nesting has been cut down (IMAGE: Peter Wood)
“The skylarks have been breeding for weeks but now the longish grass has been completely flattened with strimmers and industrial lawn mowers. The ground-nesting bird nests and their young will have been obliterated –this is a crime against wildlife.
“We are very, very sad that this has happened. We are avid park users and this is very wrong. “
Mr Wood said he thinks the cutting would be against the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which protects wild birds, their nests and eggs. It is an offence under Section 1 of the act to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
He added: “The sky today was absolutely teaming with skylarks on the solar fence and singing their hearts out in the sky but many of their families in their newly constructed ground nests have been now obliterated by ignorant people. It’s so very sad.”
A Gedling Borough Council spokesperson told Gedling Eye: “We are aware of the removal of vegetation around the solar farm at Gedling Country Park. The area is leased to Foresight Group and they are wholly responsible for the upkeep of this specific piece of land and the protection of wildlife within the perimeter.
“We have made urgent contact with Foresight to seek clarification that they made the necessary ecology checks prior to carrying out the works, such as an ecological survey and inspection of the area to make sure there were no nesting birds.
They added: “The park was created to protect the local wildlife and ecology and we take any potential breach of that very seriously. We are awaiting a response from Foresight Group and once we have established what has happened, we will be able to provide a further update.”
