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Tony Cave: It’s un-fare to fine passengers travelling from Carlton who can’t get ticket

Tony Cave
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Tony Cave: It’s un-fare to fine passengers travelling from Carlton who can’t get ticket

Annual station usage figures 2018/19

2017/18 figures shown in brackets, and the percentage increase/decrease over 2017/18 is given. CARLTON 54,632 (54,316) +o.6%. An increase of only 316 (7,738). Unofficially, but more accurately, the total at Carlton was around 81,000. Numbers were affected by the 11 weeks of improvement works at Derby station in Summer 2018, when we lost a lot of Derwent Valley Line passengers. However, currently Carlton must be around the 100,000 mark as you will see from the next item. NETHERFIELD 9,150 (8,650) +5.8%, an increase of 500, but again, probably higher. (908). Other local stations. BURTON JOYCE 16,084 (16,270) -1.1%. LOWDHAM 72,494 (67,308) +7.70A. THURGARTON 3,462 (2,156) +60.6%. BLEASBY 7,426 (8,014) -7.3%. FISKERTON 37,102 (32,822) +13%. ROLLESTON 6,6o8 (6,418) +3.0%. NEWARK CASTLE 802,590 (767,493) +4.6%. NEWARK NORTHGATE 960,922 (918,903) +4.6%. RADCLIFFE 9,674 (8,850) +9.3%. BINGHAM 77,128 (69,102) +11.6°4.

Carlton Station news

UN-FARE- A consequence of so many using Carlton is that all the fares cannot be collected. One regular passenger travelling to Leicester could not get a ticket and did not have time to get one at Nottingham. However, on the London train when he asked for a ticket, he was issued with a penalty fare, and although he challenged this, as it wasn’t really his fault, it wasn’t a valid reason.

On most local services, if you haven’t been able to get a ticket, say you got on at Carlton or Netherfield and there shouldn’t be a problem. On London services it is different. I know many people are put off using Carlton because of this very reason. A ticket machine is needed.

Unofficial passenger numbers – These must now be near the 100,00() mark for the year. On five days (20-24 Jan.), 204 joined the 08.08 to Matlock and 11 alighted. In 2019 it was 130 on and 16 off. Another record on Wednesday, 29th Jan. when exactly 100 joined and alighted the 5 trains between 08.02 Newark and 09.05 Matlock.

Capacity problems – Overcrowding on the 17.26 return to Lincoln has led to some avoiding this service. There are now three coaches sometimes, Problems with Clifton Bridge has resulted in more using the trains.

Over 4 days (10-13 Feb.) 206 joined the 08.08 Matlock (40, 52, 56, 58 – a record). On 14th it was cancelled owing to a train failure. On 12th we had 28 on the 09.05 Matlock and 120 on the 5 trains (08.02-09.05). Wed. 19th Feb. (Half term holidays) 136 got on and off 9 trains (08.02-11.08). In 2018 it was only 71. Since 1st Jan no single units have been used for our services, with 2 coaches being the minimum. A few lines in Lincolnshire and the Derby to Crewe service can still have single coaches, but not for too long, if all goes to plan.

Confusion – Passengers regularly turn up at Carlton thinking they are at Netherfield station. if you see anyone looking confused, ask where they are going. One person went to Netherfield for Bottesford, thought he was on the wrong station, went to Carlton, was sent back to Netherfield, just missing the 08.51 and had to trudge back to Carlton!

Netherfield Station news

More, please – There are only three trains calling ta the station on winter Sundays, one is the 13.23 to Liverpool. On 16th Feb. I was informed that this train had 3 people join and 12 alight. One of the questions I am always asked is “When are we going to get more trains at Netherfield?” I am hoping that the timetable changes in December will see more trains calling.

Engineering work – Engineering work is affecting Sunday trains on this line in the next few weeks. Check before you travel.

New bridge and station? – Problems with Clifton Bridge, which will take until the end of the year to rectify, shows the need for another bridge over the Trent. One suggestion is for a bridge from Radcliffe to Colwick crossing near the railway bridge. If this was combined with a new Park & Ride station (Netherfield Parkway!) to the east of the A612 road bridge, it would help to relieve pressure on the roads in the Nottingham area. However, other sites have been suggested, and Nottingham City Council say “Our focus is on providing viable alternatives to using cars to get into the city.” So surely more train services are one of the solutions.

News in brief…

Train service changes from 2020 – The Newark to Matlock service is planned to be replaced by a Newark to Crewe service. Although the times at Carlton will be different to those at present, the Crewe trains will still call at Beeston, Attenborough and Long Eaton, giving them an extra train each hour, so continuing our useful cross city service. Matlock services will start from Nottingham. Leicester to Lincoln trains will be extended to Grimsby every 2 hours. More weekday evening trains are to run to Newark Castle from Nottingham and Lincoln. The absence of a train around 20.30 from Nottingham to Carlton causes a lot of inconvenience to local passengers returning from long journeys.

Check train times – When checking your app to see how your train is running, on Newark to Matlock trains you can check the previous working one (Matlock to Newark) to see if this is on time. For example the 09.05 to Matlock is formed off the 07.56 Nottingham to Newark. If this train is more than 5 minutes late there is a good chance the 09.05 will be a few mins late. Or if it is cancelled, then 90% of the time the 09.05 will be. It doesn’t work on the 07.11 and 08.08. Trains after the 09.05 have more time at Newark, so a 10 min. late train to Newark will probably return from Newark on time.

Station adopters meeting – This took place on Fri. 14th Feb. at Derby. I was unable to attend, but Francis and Mark went and Mark sent me some notes he had made. Station improvements are planned with additional seating, cleaning, cycle and car park upgrades planned. Carlton car park has been identified for attention. Ticket Vending Machines are being rolled out over the next 2+ years. 9 unstaffed stations will become staffed. Other changes to London services will be detailed next time.

50 years since Colwick Marshalling Yard closure – Mon. 13th April marks 50 years since the closure of the yards and train crew depot. It will be commemorated in Netherfield by banners and panels and an event at The Crossings Social Club (adjacent Carlton station) on Sat. 11th April, between 10.00 and 15.00, where it is planned to have model railways, photographs and memorabilia displays etc., and a place for retired railway workers to meet. In Feb. 1970 I was working in the Time Office at Nottingham station when I received a letter from the Divisional Office headed ‘Proposed closure of Colwick Marshalling Yard and Train Crew Depot’. It read, ‘I regret you will become displaced under the above proposals. So on 13th April, 1970 I transferred to Toton Train Crew Office as a clerk on the Front Desk (where the train crews signed on). A number of train crews also moved there from Colwick and Kirkby, which also closed at the same time.

In other news – It is planned to have more seats on Nottingham to Birmingham and Cardiff trains from May. Over 5,000 additional seats per week on these and Birmingham to Leicester train services

A feasibility study has shown that there would be significant economic benefits in re-opening a line to passenger trains between Mansfield and Toton (HS2) via Pinxton. The next stage is to ask the public their thoughts on the scheme.

New sportswear shop which raises funds for schools charity opens its doors in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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New sportswear shop which raises funds for schools charity opens its doors in Netherfield

A new charity shop selling sports clothing and equipment has opened in Netherfield town centre.

Brighter Futures Through Sport officially opened its doors last Saturday (February 22) with former Forest striker Jason Lee and Gedling MP Tom Randall being invited down to cut the ribbon.

The new store sells sports equipment and clothing at lower prices and helps raise funds for the sporting scheme.

You can find the new store on Victoria Road near Carlton Station.

The Brighter Futures Through Sports charity has now helped just over 300 children throughout schools in Nottingham, Newark and Derby.

Their qualified and trained mentors provide and support children identified by schools to be failing academically.

They have been running for two years and continue to grow. 

You can find out more about the charity and their at their website: http://bfts.org.uk/

Vehicles seized during busy overnight operation involving cops in Gedling

David Bratton
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Vehicles seized during busy overnight operation involving cops in Gedling

Gedling police officers have a bold message for criminals: ‘If you set out to commit crime, we will work to put a stop to it.’

The message comes after a local team of special constables took part in a night of action to crackdown on crime in the borough.

The police team carried out a number of pro-active patrols earlier in the week across the borough and stopped dozens of motorists they suspected of committing road traffic offences.

The officers also patrolled known ‘hot spot’ locations, and took ‘robust action’ against those who deliberately chose to commit crime in the borough.

In total, 25 vehicles were stop checked during the evening, of which three were seized for having no insurance.

A disqualified driver also came to the attention of the team, who was subsequently stopped, and his vehicle seized.

The 21-year-old from the West Bridgford area was also interviewed under caution by the officers and will now face prosecution for driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance.

Another motorist was issued with a Traffic Offence Report for not having a valid MOT certificate during the operation, whilst several others were given words of advice and time to fix identified defects including broken headlights, indicators and brake lights.

PICTURED: Police seize an uninsured vehicle

The team also located a vulnerable 14-year-old during their patrols, who was safely returned to parents after being found more than five miles away from his home address.

Special Sergeant Ashley Wagstaffe, who oversees the work of the volunteer police officers across Gedling, said: “These patrols come following our interactions with the public. We want to tackle issues in our neighbourhoods that affect residents, businesses and visitors the most.

“This includes illegal vehicles, anti-social behaviour and drugs.”

He added: “Often criminals use uninsured vehicles to commit other more serious crimes, and we’re determined to disrupt their criminal endeavours at the earliest opportunity.

“Our message is clear: the residents, local businesses and visitors don’t want criminals operating on their doorsteps, and nor do we.

“We welcome everyone to Gedling, but if you set out to commit crime, we will work to put a stop to it.”

In one incident during the overnight operation, two males were seen acting suspiciously in the Netherfield area.

The team followed their vehicle, which attempted to avoid them, but thanks to the officers’ local knowledge of the area, they quickly located the vehicle and occupants; two males were stop searched, and their vehicle seized – again, for having no insurance – or a driving licence.

During another, a 15-year-old boy was returned home to parents after officers witnessed him committing anti-social behaviour in the Arnold Town Centre area.

First trees planted to mark launch of community woodland project in Carlton Hill

Gedling Eye Reporter
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First trees planted to mark launch of community woodland project in Carlton Hill

The first trees that will form part of a new community woodland have been planted on Carlton Hill to mark the official launch of the project.

The scheme has been launched by the Carlton Hill Community Action Group and its volunteers were joined by park rangers from Gedling Borough Council and Councillor Alex Scroggie who all put the first trees into the ground.

Val Green is a member of the Carlton Hill Community Action Group and helped plant the first trees.

PICTURED: Park rangers plant the first trees that will make up part of the new community woodland on Carlton Hill

She told Gedling Eye: “We planted three native trees – a Cherry, a Hornbeam and a Beech. In the Autumn we will be inviting local individuals and groups to help us plant more trees and hedgerows during  National Tree Week.

“Plans for the Carlton Hill Community Woodland are being formulated over the coming months, with one idea being to make this a memorial woodland where local residents can dedicate a tree to a loved one.”

The local community are being invited to have their say on the idea or come up with suggestions for how the woodland can be used via Carlton Hill Community Action Group’s social channels.

You can find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/carlton/ on Twitter @carltonhillcag

Residents hope to raise £1.5m to build new community hub on site of GP surgery in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Residents hope to raise £1.5m to build new community hub on site of GP surgery in Netherfield

A group of Netherfield residents are calling on the local community to help them raise £1.5m to build a new community hub in the town.

Members of the Netherfield Forum want to purchase the Netherfield Medical Centre on Forester Street when the GPs move into a new purpose-built building on Ashwell Street later this year.

They then hope to knock down the current building, which was constructed especially to house a doctors’ surgery, and build a new community hub for young people and families.

The new centre would replace the Netherfield Loco on Victoria Road.

PICTURED: The Loco Centre

The team has so far raised £30k, and hope to hit their first target of £230k that would allow them to buy the medical centre.

The rest of the funds would be spent on demolishing the existing site and constructing the new hub.

Tina Simpson is the treasurer of the Netherfield Forum and is leading the funding drive.

Mrs Simpson said: “We want to build a centre to fit the needs for children, young people, families and all our community which has utilities to suit the ever-changing needs of the times we live in. “

“The brand new multi-functional Children’s, Young Persons’ and Families’ Centre would be situated adjacent to St George’s, Netherfield. It would offer all the clubs and activities currently at Loco, and also many more in the future.”

A crowdfunding site has now been set up to help the group reach their fundraising target: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ChildrensYoungPersonsFamiliesCentreNetherfield

Mrs Simpson added: “We have a vision and determination to make a difference for those who live in the area. Our children our our future, we want to inspire, give hope and show you can achieve with a Let’s do it and we can do attitude. “

Council tax support scheme set to continue

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Council tax support scheme set to continue

A scheme that reduces the amount of council tax paid by the most vulnerable people in Gedling borough looks set to continue in 2020/21.

Councillors have approved continuation of a Council Tax Scheme that protects the borough’s working age families on low incomes from being landed with a bill they are unlikely to be able to pay.

The local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which replaced the previously nationally funded Council Tax Benefits Scheme, gives councils the powers to award between 80% and 100% reduction in Council Tax to working age families who are on low incomes. Government required councils to protect pensioners in their local schemes but did not give working age families the same protection.

Gedling Borough Council adopted a full 100% scheme back in 2013, despite funding from the Government having been reduced year on year until it cut funding entirely in 2019/20. The continuation of Gedling Borough Council’s local scheme prevents thousands of working age families across Gedling from being landed with an additional Council Tax bill.

Gedling Borough Council is now one of a few councils in the country who continue to provide a full scheme that protects working age families, as well as pensioners, despite the council becoming the worst affected council in England because of government funding cuts.

Latest official Government figures show the council has seen a reduction of 21.3% in its core spending power since 2015 ranking it at 359th out of 359 councils in England.

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said:

“Our local Council Tax Reduction Scheme protects well over 3,500 families in the borough from being landed with an unexpected bill as a result of cuts and reforms by central government. The Government rightly chose to protect pensioners when they introduced changes to Council Tax benefits back in 2012 but they decided not to give the same full protection to working age families. Gedling Borough Council decided to protect working age families and pensioners and I’m proud we’ve decided this protection will continue as we move into the eighth year of this scheme.

Gedling Borough Council is officially the worst affected council in England in terms of reduction in its core spending power since 2015 as a result of central Government cuts but we’re determined to do all we can to protect working age families from being landed with additional large bills at a time when they’re already having to deal with rising living costs.’

Pot-holey moley! Resident mocks council for carrying out ‘truly awful’ repair work to Arnold road

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Pot-holey moley! Resident mocks council for carrying out ‘truly awful’ repair work to Arnold road

A resident in Arnold has taken to social media and mocked a council after they carried out what he described as ‘truly awful’ repair work to a street blighted by potholes.

James Street was recently resurfaced and repaired by Nottinghamshire County Council, but their efforts weren’t appreciated by one resident who quickly slammed their efforts on Twitter.

In a tweet over the weekend @Russiankareoke wrote: “Congratulations on the truly awful job done resurfacing James Street in Arnold’ and posted a photo of the job.

He had attributed the work to Gedling Borough Council, but they were quick to point out that the work had been carried out by their county counterparts who are responsible for all roads in Notts.

Nottinghamshire County Council swiftly responded after the criticism online.

A spokesman for their Highways Departments said: “The carriageway has been micro surfaced, which is a protective seal coat which extends the life of pavement.

“It is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion blended with finely crushed stone for traction.

“This is a cost-effective method to renew the road surface and seal minor cracks and other irregularities.”

Pupils climb aboard donated bus which will be soon transformed into unique learning space at Arnold school

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Pupils climb aboard donated bus which will be soon transformed into unique learning space at Arnold school

Pupils in Arnold today got to climb aboard a retired bus recently donated by a city transport firm that will soon get a new lease of life as a learning space at their school.

The bus, which is arrived yesterday (February 24) at Coppice Farm Primary School, was a former training vehicle for Nottingham City Transport and will soon be transformed into a classroom.

The transport firm donated the bus following a twitter appeal from the school’s deputy head teacher Donna Quarless.

She told Gedling Eye: “It all started back in May 2019 when I saw a tweet by a school in the south of England celebrating the arrival of their double decker library bus. I commented saying that my school would love to have a bus and tagged in Nottingham City Transport (NCT).

“Adam from NCT then messaged me back and I explained a bus would give us some desperately needed extra space – and what a brilliant, exciting classroom it would be.

“Amazingly, in September Adam then got back in touch with the amazing news that a fleet of training buses were being ‘retired’ and asked if we wanted one! We were delighted.”

A pupil puts the donated bus through its paces (IMAGE: Coppice Farm)

Since then lots of work has taken place between staff at the school and NCT preparing the bus for its arrival yesterday.

The school are now busily fundraising to help pay for its conversion.

Donna said: “We have now received a very generous donation to our bus fund by the grandparents of two of our pupils and today ERF Electricals  and Stirland Paterson have come on board to provide all electrics, furnishings, floorings and signs. Cris Brawn, a brilliant set designer at Nottingham Arts Theatre has also offered his services – it’s all systems go!

She added: “It’s such an exciting project and the bus is going to make such a massive impact on our learning here at Coppice Farm.”

NCT marketing manager Anthony Carver-Smith said: “Following a record breaking year of investment, with 77 brand new buses entering service with Nottingham City Transport in 2019, we had a small number of buses to donate to the local communities we serve.

“After one of our bendy buses was transformed in to a school library in Chilwell a couple of years ago, donating one to Coppice Farm Primary School for another exciting school project was an obvious choice, particularly as the bus was used to teach bus drivers how to drive and will now have a new life teaching young people in Arnold.”

Police launch operation to crackdown on shop thefts at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police launch operation to crackdown on shop thefts at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield

Police officers have launched a new operation to crackdown on shop thefts at a crime hotspot in Netherfield.

Officers will be carrying out regular patrols to reduce the number of shop thefts at Victoria Retail Park.

Working with partners at Gedling Borough Council and retailers, Operation Quartz aims to quickly identify offenders on the site and look to disrupt their efforts.

PICTURED: Victoria Retail Park

The operation is being carried out by the Gedling South Neighbourhood Policing Team.

It was discussed during Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping’s recent visit to the community after being identified as a crime priority be retailers .

A combination of uniformed and plain clothes officers are currently conducting patrols around the retail park to target criminals operating in the area.

Sgt Ebbins from Gedling South Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Shop thefts remain a policing priority for the Gedling area and we will continue to work with our partners to stop offenders operating on our patch”.

Police appeal to find missing man from Carlton

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police appeal to find missing man from Carlton

Simon has now been found safe and well

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for a missing man from Carlton.

Simon Wilson, 52, was reported missing from the Carlton area on Tuesday (25) at 9am.

PICTURED: Simon Wilson

Simon is described as average build, 6ft 2 tall and bold. He has a really short grey beard. Simon was last seen wearing a black baseball cap with red writing, a dark blue fleece jacket and dark blue tracksuit bottoms.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “If you have seen Simon or know where he might be, please call us on 999, quoting incident number 359 of 25/02/2020. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”

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