Small World

Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Redcar Ian Swales attended a family wedding recently and found he is now related to Gateshead Councillor Elaine Earl! Ian's nephew Simon married Elaine's daughter Kelly in a ceremony at Gretna Green. Elaine achieved a great result in last May's elections narrowing beating Brenda Clelland, wife of David Clelland, Labour MP for Tyne Bridge.

CHRISTMAS REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS

Redcar and Cleveland Council is reminding residents of changes to its normal refuse and recycling collections over the Christmas and New Year period.

There will be normal collections up to and including Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, before the revised schedule comes into operation, returning to normal on Tuesday, January 6.

Check your normal collection, with the revised date in brackets:

Thursday, December 25 (Monday, December 29)
Friday, December 26 (Tuesday, December 30)
Tuesday, December 30 (Wednesday, December 31)
Wednesday, December 31 (Friday, January 2)
Thursday, January 1 (Saturday, January 3)
Friday, January 2 (Monday, January 5)
Tuesday, January 6 - return to normal.

*Remember you can recycle your real Christmas tree by placing it out for collection on your green waste collection day or take it to our Household Waste Recycling Centres at Warrenby and Dunsdale, Guisborough Forest and Walkway or the Somerfield supermarket car park, Saltburn.

*Remember to recycle your Christmas TV guides, catalogues and newspapers in your blue bag.

*Remember you can put your Christmas cards - non-glitter - in your clear plastic bag or take them to participating primary schools from January 2-January 31.

*Remember to recycle all your party cans and bottles in your green box.

*And remember, you can log on here for details of how to recycle this Christmas.

Lib Dems demand more funding for Fire Service

A former firemen who is now a councillor is drawing attention to the effects of funding cuts on Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Liberal Democrat Councillor John Hannon, who was elected to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council in October, will put a motion to a Council meeting next week demanding more funds from the Government for the fire service.

The Cleveland Fire Brigade received a very poor financial settlement from the Government earlier this year. The fire crews continue to provide an excellent service, but the financial pressure will continue to be a problem in the future.

Councillor Hannon commented:

"Just by chance I was in the vicinity when a serious fire broke out in Wykeham Close in Redcar on 25 November. At the time I arrived there were two fire appliances from Redcar. Smoke was billowing out of the roof, all windows and doors and into next door’s roof void. The other bystanders were saying there were people inside. I realised that two teams of firefighters had entered, one from the front and one from the rear with breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

“This only seemed to leave four firefighters outside, the officer in charge, breathing apparatus entry control officer, pump operator and the second pump operator driver. This situation since the reduced staffing levels concerns me and the general public very much, and has been discussed at local community meetings.

“The officer in charge obviously requested more help and a third appliance was sent from the neighbouring Grangetown station, with a journey time of about six to seven minutes. On their arrival two more firefighters entered the building as there was obviously still a lot of work to be done inside. If the manning levels were nine firefighters instead of eight this would take the pressure off the others. This additional person (hydrant man) would be dealing with the hydrants, first aid and communications, as well as forming part of a third breathing apparatus crew if required, before the third appliance arrived.

“The firefighters did a great job, as did staff from Coast & Country Housing and some of the neighbours.”

Free parking in Council's safe car parks

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is celebrating four more of its car parks receiving national awards for their safety, and offering motorists free parking after 2pm from Monday, December 1 till Christmas Eve at all long and short stay car parks across the Borough.

The four receiving the Park Mark status are West Dyke Road, Redcar, Graffenburg Street, Redcar, Walkers Row, Guisborough and Dawson House, Redcar, bringing the total up to 13 for the Council.

The Safer Parking Scheme is an initiative of the Associations of Chief Police Officers and the British Parking Association aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities.

Safer parking status, Park Mark®, is awarded to parking facilities that have met the requirements of a risk assessment conducted by the Police, which include measures to deter criminal activity, anti-social behaviour and reduce the fear of crime in each car park.

The Council already has nine car parks with the status, including Windy Hill Lane, Marske, three in Guisborough; Belmont House, Fountain Street East and Fountain Street West, three in Redcar; Kirkleatham Street, Redcar & Cleveland House and Seafield House and two in Saltburn; The Pier and Cat Nab.

Seven Wonders of Yorkshire

What are your man made seven wonders of Yorkshire and your seven natural wonders? The Yorkshire Ridings Society are doing a feature in The Ridings newsletter in which it seeks to find out what people think are the seven wonders in the real county.

Ours are as follows:

York Minster

Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge

Humber Bridge

Castle Howard

Guildhall, Hull

Leeds Town Hall

Scar House Dam

Brimham Rocks

Malham Cove

High Force

Aysgarth Falls

Flamborough Head

Roseberry Topping

Hornsea Mere

New Yorkshire White Rose Flags

The Yorkshire Ridings Society has obtained a supply of the "New" Yorkshire Flags as follows:

5' New Yorkshire White Rose Flag 100% polyester with two brass eyelets: £4.00
3' New Yorkshire White Rose Flag 100% polyester with two brass eyelets: £3.00
16"X10" New Yorkshire White Rose Car Flag 100% polyester with plastic bracket: £1.85
18"X12" New Yorkshire White Rose Hand Flag 100% polyester on dowel: £1.50

Please add 52p postage for one item or 80p for two or more items.

Orders can be sent to:

YRS Products
39 Essex Close
Redcar
Yorkshire
TS10 4BY

Please make cheques payable to Yorkshire Ridings Society

Cycle Links to School Funding for two Redcar Schools

Redcar and Cleveland Council is writing to residents in the vicinity of Cartmel Road following a successful funding application to Sustrans for the Links to School Project to implement a number of cycle routes to school in the borough. Two schools benefitting from the implemention of a route are Lakes Primary and Ryehills Secondary:

The Letter reads as follows:

A recent successful funding application has allowed Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to design and implement a number of school cycle routes in the area. Although primarily designed to serve particular schools, they will also benefit the residents and visitors to the area too.

The Lakes Primary School and Ryehills School link will run from the existing cycle route on Plantation Road to the south to connect to NCN1 on Corporation Road to the north. A further link to the east will run from near Lorton Road, under the subway and alongside Redcar Lane to Ryehills School.

In order for the off road cycle route to access Lakes Primary School it has been requested by the school that we utilise the footpath adjacent to Cartmel Road. To assist in this request, and to ensure we comply with current regulations on the widths of cycle paths, the school have offered to transfer a strip of land to the front of their palisade fencing for the route.

Whilst this proposal meets with our requirements, there is an existing section of hedge alongside the pavement on Cartmel Road that will need to be removed to allow the necessary cycling width to be provided. It is proposed that the hedge be replaced, and that the new hedge be planted on either side of the fence either facing the houses or within the school grounds.

The letter will also include details of how to make comments on the proposals and where to send them. We will be pleased to pass on any comments we receive before 24th November.

Liberal Democrat Calendar 2009

Redcar Liberal Democrats, have produced the Liberal Democrat Calendar 2009.

This A5 black and white calendar features famous Liberals and Liberal Democrats from the past and present. It also features Liberal Democrat Conference dates, Liberal Democrat organisations, with contact details, and County days for those counties which have them.

It is priced at £1 plus only 52p postage no matter how many copies you order.

It is ideal to give to friends as a stocking filler.

Copies can be ordered as follows from:

Gold Printing Society
39 Essex Close
Redcar
Yorkshire
TS10 4BY

Please make cheques payable to Gold Printing Society.

North Riding of Yorkshire lapel badges

The Yorkshire Ridings Society has a new line in lapel badges. We currently only have North Riding badges. They are priced at 30p each plus 34p postage regardless of how many you order.

Please order from:

YRS Products
39 Essex Close
REDCAR
Yorkshire
TS10 4BY
Tel: 01642 487557
Or email: Glynis

Please make cheques payable to Yorkshire Ridings Society and add 50p per order to cover postage.

Special offer on Yorkshire Rose Lettercards

Buy 5 lettercards with envelopes for only 30p with only 50p postage per order regardless of whether you order one or one hundred.

Order from:

YRS Products
39 Essex Close
REDCAR
Yorkshire
TS10 4BY
Tel: 01642 487557
Or email: Glynis

Please make cheques payable to Yorkshire Ridings Society and add 50p per order to cover postage.

Redcar and Cleveland Council memory stick went missing

A computer memory stick, which contained personal and bank details about Council staff and members, went missing last week.

It eventually turned up; we are told, locked away in a cupboard. The police had been called in and a letter was about to be sent to all staff and members asking them to inform their banks.

The incident is being taken very seriously and an investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events. The memory stick was not encrypted and was part of the back up system for the Council’s payroll system.

Have your say on designs for Redcar seafront

Redcar and Cleveland Council is delighted at the public's response to looking at five shortlisted designs that can transform Redcar seafront.

Design professionals from all over the world have been drawing up a vision of how the seafront can be regenerated in a competition organised by the Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The Council, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, want the final winning design to be the perfect complement to the Agency's proposed new sea wall.

Now after hundreds have been attracted to the Council's exhibition bus in Redcar High Street, the Council is extending the viewing time, switching the exhibition to the foyer of Redcar's Central Library from Thursday, November 6.

Staff will be on hand to answer questions every day from 2pm-4pm for the duration of the exhibition, which will end on Saturday, November 15.

True Yorkshire Credit Crunch Calendar 2009

The 2009 True Yorkshire Calendar is on sale now, priced at only £1.00. This year's 'credit crunch' version is A5 black and white. It contains East Riding dialect sayings and features villages from all the Ridings throughout. It also notes County days for those counties which have them.

Copies can be ordered as follows from:

YRS Products

39 Essex Close

REDCAR

Yorkshire

TS10 4BY

Tel: 01642 487557

Or email: Glynis

Please make cheques payable to Yorkshire Ridings Society and add 34p per order to cover postage.

Action on parking chaos in Corporation Road

Over the past couple of weeks we have taken up residents’ concerns about people attending the new Redcar & Cleveland College and parking in Mersey Road (pictured), Locke Road and Corporation Road, close to the junction.

Below is the latest information on the efforts to resolve the problem quickly:

The works to the college entrance and the junction will be complete by 20th November. Demolition of the existing building, which prevents the old car park from being used, commences on 14th November. This will enable construction of the second half of the car park to be complete by the end of March.

The college has created a temporary car park for approximately 115 cars behind the new building.

Redcar & Cleveland Council is considering implementing waiting restrictions on Locke Road to its junction with Corporation Road. Other measures will be considered if the parking situation is not resolved by the temporary car park within the college site.

Election campaign scoops award

Redcar Liberal Democrats have won the Lib Dem Northern Region's Award for Best Election Campaign for the Kirkleatham Ward By Election.

The award was presented by Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell, at a ceremony which took place on Saturday 18th October at the Regional AGM and Conference in Gateshead.

Pictured (above) receiving the Best Election Campaign Award are left to right: Cllr John Hannon, Andrew Stunell MP, Ian Swales and Cllr Chris Abbott.

Lib Dems up from 5th to 2nd in South Bank

Labour have hung on to their South Bank stronghold in the By Election held on 16th October but 18 years old Toni Meir (pictured) moved the Liberal Democrats into second place, up from fifth place at the last Council Elections in May 2007.

Liberal Democrats followed their spectacular victory in Kirkleatham Ward two weeks ago by securing 22.1% of the vote, which is up by 12.3% since May 2007, a swing of 6.45% from Labour to the Lib Dems. The By Election was caused by the resignation of Labour Councillor Pearl Hall. The Tories came last with only 59 votes.

The result.

Marilyn Bramley (Labour).... 652 (49.9; -0.6)
Toni Meir (Liberal Democrat) 288 (22.1; +12.3)
Bernard Collinson (BNP)..... 206 (15.8; +1.4)
Oz Sadiq (Independent..... 101 (7.7; -7.3)
Joan Bolton (Conservative 59 (4.5; -5.8)

Turn out 27.6%
Majority 364
Lab hold
Swing 6.45% Lab to LD
Percentage change is since May 2007
Based on highest placed candidate for each party in 2007.

This result shows the Liberal Democrats are making all the running in Redcar Constituency and are clearly the only alternative to Labour.

We've picked Opik!

The Abbott family, Chris, Glynis and daughter Kelly, have cast their votes for Lembit Opik in the election for Party President.

The choice wasn't difficult as the other two are totally unknown establishment types and will probably, like current President Simon Hughes, never set foot in Redcar. Lembit last came to support us in Redcar during the 2001 General Election, when he spoke at Stan Wilson's adoption meeting as Parliamentary Candidate.

We like Lembit, he is high profile and is a household name. He was identified as being the most Liberal in the Parliamentary Party and like us he defended Charles Kennedy to the bitter end.

Lembit has worked hard for the Party and he deserves to be President. He is a likeable guy, intellegent and tough when he needs to be.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY HAS LICENCE TO THRILL

Redcar and Cleveland Council has invested in a licence to thrill for its spectacular Fireworks Night display on The Stray at Redcar on Wednesday, November 5.

The display, featuring 15,000 aerial fireworks, will be fired off in a secure area on The Stray car park, starting at 7.30pm, against a background of eight James Bond film music scores.

Organiser Steve Illidge, director of Highlight Pyrotechnics, explained: "In the opening sequence, we've got several litres of petrol ejected into the air on fire, creating large rolling balls of flame fired in time to the 007 theme.

"When we play From Russia With Love, there will be huge red hearts appearing in the sky whilst thousands of pink comets are fired over 30 metres into the night sky - it fits beautifully with the tempo of the track.

"The final flourish is Live and Let Die - one of the best tracks for fireworks - and the final salvo is made up from hundreds of brocade shells which will turn the entire sky to silver!"

Other featured soundtracks in the 25-minute display are On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger, Casino Royale and the latest Bond, Quantum of Solace.

A stretch of the Coast Road will be closed to traffic from 5pm, reopening at approximately 9pm. The Council is organising a free park and ride bus service from the Majuba Road car park, with four 26-seater minibuses starting a shuttle service from 6pm.

Child Poverty figures a disgrace says Ian Swales

New figures released by the Campaign to End Child Poverty show that over half the children in Redcar constituency are growing up in poverty.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Redcar, Ian Swales said "these figures are a disgrace. Nine years after Tony Blair pledged to end child poverty in a generation things seem to be going in the other direction.

Studies show that children who grow up in poverty are likely to become poor adults. Social mobility is getting worse through Labour policy decisions. For example the introduction of student tuition fees means fewer children from poorer backgrounds are now going to university.

With the poor paying more of their income in tax than the rich and the gap between poor and rich being wider than under Margaret Thatcher, Labour politicians should hang their heads in shame."

The figure for Redcar constituency is 52%.

Memories of campaigning for the Liberals in Redcar during the early 1960's

We received the following from John Stevens Liberal Candidate for Cleveland in 1964:

Many congratulations on a wonderful result! It set my time clock going!

May I indulge myself in a little flight of memory?

I became PPC for Cleveland in 1960 after helping to form Darlington Young Liberals. Cleveland Division covered Eston Redcar Guisborough Loftus and the Villages down to Hinderwell.

It was fairly lonely at the Parliamentary level but I did kick off the Redcar Liberals on a pretty successful run of local Govt wins - the most surprising of the results that I recall being a very near miss in Dormanstown. Labour had a real fright there as they were used to majorities in the thousands. There were at that time (pre-reorganisation) 6 Town Wards and we won three! This was, I think, in 1962. I lived in Mersey Road (No 126)

One oddity was that I met (at the age of 30) some old boys of 80+ in Eston who had worked for Herbert (Lord) Samuel who was Home Secretary in the great reforming Administration of 1907. I wrote to Lord Samuel who was then very ancient, asking him to the Liberal Annual Dinner in Redcar. He had to decline because of "the infirmities of old age" - I wish I'd kept his letter..... but what a tenous rope of history it all makes!

I polled about 12,000 (17%) which in 1964 was a fairly good result for Libs. (Lab (Tinn) gain from Tory (Proudfoot) My agent was Steve Cooksey from Leeds

Moved South 1965 with my then work and left politics to bring up my family: was a Founder Member of SDP and served 16 years on Colchester BC retiring in 2000 (my wife is Constituency Chairman)

Back in the Sixties a schoolteacher called Hargreaves was Hon Sec: John Fletcher was Chairman (His Dad was N Y CC Chair): My memory for names is not great but one or two of your (very much!) older members may remember our campaigning days in Redcar - there was a good sense of breaking new ground - and Lib Dem progress since the Sixties has been great! Please pass my very good regards to anyone who may have a memory of those days!

And thanks again for that good by-election and for stirring my memory so well!

John Stevens

Partners in action in Newcomen Ward

Redcar and Cleveland Safer Communities Partnership is launching an action-packed week of activities in Redcar's Newcomen ward from Monday, 13th October - with help from police horses, police motorcyclists and the Fire Service.

The 'Not in My Neighbourhood Week' event involves the Council and its partners in a range of activities, including a Bring Out Your Dross (BOYD) invitation as part of a clean-up operation, multi agency patch walks and high visibility patrols from the Council's Community Protection Officers and Police.

The BOYD takes place on 13th October and residents in the following locations can place bulky waste out for free collection between 8.30am and 1.30pm only:

The Meadows

Place unwanted items at the garage site to the rear of 23 The Meadows.

Malham Gill

Lingholme

Rosgill

Please place unwanted items at the kerb side near to your property

ensuring that you do not obstruct the footpath/highway.

Rubble, soil and asbestos will not be collected.

A 'Meet the Partners' day is being organised at Newcomen Primary School on Tuesday 14th October where pupils have the opportunity to meet one of the Council's Anti-social Behaviour officers, the police horses, police motorcyclists and the Fire Service.

The Council is also hoping to raise awareness in the lead-up to Bonfire Night, urging the public to contact Trading Standards on 01287 612490 if they think someone is illegally selling fireworks or raise the alarm if they see a bonfire that needs to be removed by ringing a 24-hour hotline on 0800 0131 357.

Lib Dems condemn Independent support for Labour

Posted by Chris:

Council officials have moved East Cleveland Independent Councillor David Williams’ seat in the Council Chamber over onto the Labour benches.

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council have urged Councillor Williams to reconsider his decision to join with Labour.

The Labour dominated ruling group on the council lost its majority following a crushing defeat at the hands of the Liberal Democrats at the Kirkleatham byelection last week.

But now Cllr Williams has joined the Labour-dominated ruling group in order to save them.
Cllr Williams was elected last year as a member of the East Cleveland Independent Party to represent the Westworth ward (Charltons, Boosbeck and part of Guisborough). The party ran a heavily-anti-Labour campaign and had an agreement with the Liberal Democrats that the parties would not stand against each other.

With Labour’s support falling by 170 votes in the Guisborough byelection, and crashing through the floor by 16% in Kirkleatham, it is clear that the people of the borough want them out.

Hardly surprising considering they have led the council down from a 4-star “Excellent” rating to merely “Adequate” whilst increasing council tax by the maximum they could get away with.

If Cllr Williams thinks that propping up a failed Labour administration is what the voters of Westworth put him there to do, then he has badly misjudged the situation. I urge him to reconsider.

Redcar Council has £6m in Icelandic banks

In response to a question by Lib Dem Councillor Irene Curr, Redcar and Cleveland Council's Labour Leadership have issued the following statement:

Redcar and Cleveland Council is one of a number of councils that has deposited money with Icelandic banks.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Councillor Peter Scott said: "There will be no immediate difficulties for the Council as a result of the banks' collapse.

"This is, of course, an unwelcome development, and the position is still unclear but there is no immediate detrimental impact to Council services.

"I strongly support the Local Government Association's call to the Government to guarantee Redcar and Cleveland's cash thus avoiding any negative effects on our taxpayers, and I shall be working closely with our officers to that end."

The Council has £6m with two Icelandic banks - £4m is not due to be repaid until February and £2m in May, 2009.

Lib Dems storm to victory in Kirkleatham Ward

Liberal Democrats have won the Kirkleatham Ward By Election for Redcar and Cleveland Council putting control on a knife edge.

The Labour/Independent Coaliton have now lost their majority on the 59 seat Council.

Lib Dem Candidate, John Hannon (pictured front/centre), stormed to victory, by taking the seat from Labour with a majority of 545 votes. The full result is as follows:

John Hannon (Lib Dem) - 1031
Paul Dixon (Lab)............... 486
Brian Mundy (Con)............ 204
Dawn Castle BNP............. 106
Turnout 36.8%

Composition of the Council now is:
Labour 27 (with by election on 16th October in Labour ward).
Lib Dem 14
Conservative 11
Independent supporting Labour 2
Independent 5

MEP backs Toni

18 years old Toni Meir has been selected for South Bank Ward in the By Election to be held on 16th October. Tina is pictured between North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall and Redcar's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Ian Swales

Redcar and Cleveland Council is currently Labour controlled by one vote with two by-elections pending in Labour held Wards. Kirkleatham Ward polls on 2nd October and South Bank Ward on 16th October.

980,000 Lib Dem voters read the Daily Mail

Posted by Chris:

I was interested to read the posting by Mark Pack on Liberal Democrat Voice about why he reads the Daily Mail. I was surprised to learn that 980,000 Lib Dem voters read the paper. I thought I was the only one.

My reasons for reading the Mail are nothing to do with the political coverage, though I do wish they gave more balanced coverage to the Lib Dems. I like the Coffee Break pages with a choice of eight Sudoku puzzles and a crossword that I can actually do. I always go straight to the Questions page were I often find very interesting answers to questions submitted by readers. The only thing Glynis likes about the paper are the recipes but still buys it for me every morning. The sports coverage is good too.

If it is true that 980,000 Lib Dem voters read the paper then it is time this was reflected in the editorial content of the paper and it was drawn to the attention of the nasty-pasty columnists who seem to have nothing but snide remarks to make on the rare occasions that Liberal Democrats are mentioned.

Changes to Kerbside Recycling Collections

The following information is being distributed to residents in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland by letter.

From Wednesday 1st October, the kerbside recycling collection service will transfer from an external contractor to the Council.

This transfer will mean a slight change to the way we collect your green box (glass and cans) and blue bag (paper).

From Wednesday 1st October, two vehicles will collect your recycling. One will collect your glass and cans and a second vehicle will collect your paper (these two collections will take place on the same day).

Please take your green box and blue bag to the front of your property by 7am as usual for collection and do not remove until both the green box and blue bag have been emptied by our collection teams.

Please note your collection day will remain the same.

The advantage of changing to this new method is that both vehicles (similar to refuse wagons) can carry more. This means less travelling time for the wagons as the number of trips to unload is significantly reduced. It also reduces the risk of contamination resulting in better quality recycling products.

The Council is committed to improving service delivery and customer satisfaction, should you require any further clarification regarding this matter then please do not hesitate to contact the Council’s Contact Centre on 01642 774774, or email contactus@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk. Further details are also available on the Council's website: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Labour MP Vera Baird's fit of pique

The Liberal Democrats By Election campaign in Kirkleatham Ward, Redcar, received a boost yesterday from an unlikely source - Labour MP Vera Baird.

Lib Dem campaigners fell about laughing when they read a letter from the out of touch MP that was published in the Evening Gazette.

Obviously miffed by an item in Focus she complains that we referred to her office as the 'Justice Department' and claims we need to do our homework better. We made the reference simply because it was clearer and shorter English than her official title Solicitor General in the Attorney General's office.

Why would a Government Minister bother to write a letter about that? Clearly she was rattled because we exposed the fact that her Department had "sneaked in new rulings increasing the likelihood of criminals -even murderers - serving only half their sentence."

The leaflet she refers to was distributed in Kirkleatham Ward and not Guisborough as she claimed in her letter. Ms Baird should know, really, that Guisborough is not in her constituency and the Lib Dems did not even have a candidate in the Guisborough By Election that took place on 11th September.

Lib Dems give youth a chance at South Bank

The South Bank Ward By Election has provided Liberal Democrats with an opportunity to introduce 18 years old Toni Meir to front line line campaigning. Toni (pictured) may be the youngest ever candidate for Redcar and Cleveland Council.

"I am delighted that we giving a young person a chance. Toni would be an excellent advocate for South Bank and I am sure that she will do very well for local residents," said Ian Swales the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar.

The By Election takes place on 16th October.

That Clegg Speech

Nick Clegg's speech was excellent but who were all those Colonels and QCs that have been appearing on the platform all week?

Winter times for Household Waste Recycling Centre

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres at Warrenby and Dunsdale will be reverting back to their winter timetables from the 1st October until 31st March 2009.

The winter timetables are as follows:

Warrenby
Weekdays: 1pm - 5pm
Weekends: 8am - 5pm

Dunsdale
Weekdays: 8am - 12.30pm
Weekends: 8am - 5pm

Items accepted at the two sites include asbestos, brick/rubble, car batteries, electrical goods, gas bottles, mattresses, waste oil, scrap metal, soil, textiles, tyres and wood.

Theresa's March - More Pics

Theresa's march for peace on our streets

Posted by Chris:

I took part in Theresa Cave's 'Peace on our Streets' March through Redcar today with John Hannon (pictured centre), Liberal Democrats Candidate in the Kirkleatham By-Election. Also pictured (front) is our 8 years old Granddaughter, Charlotte (front) who also took part, along with 4 years old Daniel who is not pictured. Daniel took the event very seriously and marched the whole way just like a soldier.

People attended to support Theresa from Sunderland and Leeds and it ended in front of Redcar Town Clock with speeches and music.

DISMAY AT LOSS OF FOUR STAR STATUS

Liberal Democrat Councillors on Redcar and Cleveland Council have expressed dismay at the loss of the Council’s Four Star Excellent Status following the latest Audit Commission Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

The previous Lib Dem led Coalition worked its heart out for four long years to progress the Council from Two Star ordinary to Four Star Excellent and in 16 short months the new administration has dragged us back down again.

“I am dismayed at this performance. It is like being relegated from the Local Government Premier League. With the huge amount of Council Tax that local people have to pay the very least they should expect is for us to retain our Excellent status. But instead, all the chaotic Labour Administration has produced is “Performing Adequately.” Adequate is only one step up from inadequate. This means the Council has definitely lost its Four Star Excellent status.

The Audit Commission say that the Council must 'speed up delivery' of its services, it is not linking finance to service delivery and there is a 'need for robust delivery plans'.

Prospective Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Ian Swales said: "It now looks like our Labour Council is being run just as badly as the Labour government"

Where does the Labour Candidate live?

Four candidates have been nominated for the Kirkleatham Ward By-Election for Redcar and Cleveland Council, on 2nd October.

Lib Dem challenger, John Hannon, pictured above, is the only candidate who lives in the Ward and appears to be the only one who actually lives in Redcar.

The Tories have chosen Brian Mundy who lives getting on for three miles away in Wilton Village and the BNP have put up someone who lives over six miles away in Guisborough.

But the biggest mystery is where does the Labour Candidate Paul Dixon live? He has put his address as 39 Cypress Road, Redcar, more than two miles away on the other side of the town from Kirkleatham Ward, but he is not registered to vote there. If YOU know please contact us by clicking on the comments button below.

Roman remains found in a farmers field near Loftus

Redcar and Cleveland Council is inviting the public to step back in time a staggering 1,600 years to see how the Romans laid the foundations for a settlement with fantastic views over the North Riding countryside.

Freelance archaeologist Steve Sherlock, whose painstaking work in a farmer's fields near Loftus uncovered evidence of Anglo-Saxon royalty last year, has returned to the site - and been able to go even further back in time in the latest dig.

Aerial photographs first guided Steve's Iron Age research project to the location in 2004, showing evidence of an Iron Age enclosure, then last year, the site revealed 109 Anglo Saxon graves, dating back to the seventh century.

A hoard of brooches, pendants and beads was also uncovered in superb condition and a gold brooch - a bracteate - will go on show in a special display at Redcar's Kirkleatham Museum this week.

Steve, who has been helped by volunteers from Teesside Archaeological Society, is thrilled and surprised by the look-out station, discovered just inches below the surface.

An open day on Sunday, September 7, from 10.30am-4pm, including guided tours at the site will clearly show visitors the entrance to the building, a cobbled road leading to the entrance and the stone foundations.

Sunday's open day will also feature a craft session for people to paint a clay replica of the brooch, then have it glazed while they tour the site on a visit, expected to last 20-30 minutes.

To reach the site, drive to Loftus Town Hall, turn on to North road, then right on to Micklow Lane, following the narrow road and then veer right on to Street House. Parking on the grass verge, opposite a row of terraced cottages, is limited.

YRS raises £558 for Redcar Lifeboat

The Yorkshire Ridings Society (YRS) raised a bumper £558 from the sale of silk white roses on Yorkshire Day, Friday 1st August. All proceeds go to Redcar Lifeboat Station.

YRS were assisted by members of Redcar Ladies Lifeboat Guild and Finlay’s Newsagents in Eston.

What a waste of money sending Labour to represent the Council

Above is Labour Leader Councillor Dunning's report from his attendance at the Steel Alliance meeting in the House of Commons at which he represented Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The report appears on pages 245 to 247 of the Business Papers for the Cabinet Meeting to be held on 2nd September 2008.

Councillor Dunning is naive if he thinks that this report is good enough to justify him representing a Council that is responsible for spending hundreds of millions of pounds on behalf of the public.

The Council attends meetings and conferences all over the country. It is important that the Council gets value for money. It is supposed to provide us with an opportunity to share ideas, learn about the latest initiatives. We expect to receive a serious report that informs us about what new ideas he has brought back to improve things for RCBC and what policy changes may affect our area.

Instead what we receive from Councillor Dunning is a juvenile report about who he bumped into on the railway station and who he sat with at the table. There is nothing of any substance.

This report, like previous reports from Councillor Dunning, is simply not good enough. It is a clear indication that Councillor Dunning is struggling to provide effective representation on behalf of the Council Taxpayers.

TV RECEPTION INTERRUPTED BY HOSPITAL BUILDING SITE IN GREENHOW WALK

Posted by Glynis;

Elderly residents in Greenhow Walk, Redcar have experienced various problems as a result of the building site for the new hospital.

Intermittent loss of TV signal is being caused by the timber site boundary wall being so close to the bungalows, and about the same height as the residents' TV aerials.

Residents have been disturbed by loud banging as early as 7.30am

Vandalism and anti social behaviour has been caused by local youths attempting to enter the compound.

I have been working with John Hannon and Ian Swales in an attempt to deal with the problems and make life easier for residents.

We approached the Primary Care Trust (PCT), who are responsible for the site and they promised to carry out a door knocking exercise. We understand they have already taken steps to deal with the early morning noise problem.

Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar, Ian Swales (pictured right) said: "The PCT also informed us that youths breaking into the building site could risk serious injury as the site is a very dangerous place."

John Hannon (pictured left), Prospective Lib Dem Candidate in the Kirkleatham Ward By Election said: "They have promised us that a new CCTV system, with direct lines to the police, is to be installed,

"Any unauthorised intruders will be picked up and identified by this hi-tech equipment."

Have your say on road safety in Roseberry Road

Concerns have been expressed regarding the safe operation of the PUFFIN crossing on Roseberry Road, Redcar.

The ideal solution to the concerns regarding the pedestrian crossing and the exit from Roseberry Square shops would have been a vehicular exit via the adjacent development onto Low Farm Drive and to this end the Highways section have been chasing the developers to consider this as a viable option when designing their scheme.

Unfortunately, the developers concerned do not see this as a reasonable solution in the best interests of their development and have therefore refused to consider a link up to the car park. The Council can not condition them to undertake this however but will continue to pursue it with them.

2 options have been put forward by Highway officers who are requesting views by 31st August:

Option 1.

Create a signalised junction of Mersey Road and Roseberry Road to allow for pedestrian crossing movement and remove the existing pedestrian crossing.

Concerns associated with this option are the delay to traffic at a junction that does not warrant signal control. Cars will therefore be delayed unnecessarily whist waiting for the lights to change 24X7. The cost of the woks is £120,000 with ongoing maintenance costs does not provide good value for money

This option is not recommended

Option 2

Maintain current entrance/exit and measures implemented via the risk assessment

Following the implementation of measures identified through the risk assessment

1. Re-alignment of traffic signal head on crossing lights to face
towards car park exit.
2. Hoods on signal head changed to expose more of the individual signal
from a more acute angle.
3. Erect warning signs for traffic exiting car park.
4. Ad-hoc monitoring of crossing by highways staff.

This has resulted in the risks being reduced to an acceptable level.

Evening Gazette's superb Yorkshire Day picture gallery

Ace photographer, Doug Moody of the Evening Gazette, has put together a suberb selection of pictures from the Yorkshire Day Parade at Guisborough. They really illustrate the colour and fun of this proud day for the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland. They also show, from the faces of the huge number of people who turned out to watch the Parade, that being part of Yorkshire is something special.

Click here and be amazed.

Yorkshire celebrations at Thornaby

Thornaby held its Yorkshire Day celebrations with a community event on Thornaby Green, which started with a service at the ancient St Peter's Church. There was a wide variety of stalls and entertainment for all the family. Chris was invited to open the proceedings with a reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity. The Yorkshire Ridings Society stall raised £40 from the sales of Yorkshire products and over £60 for the Thornaby Town Mayor's Charity. Local residents were invited to have their photograph taken in front of the Yorkshire flag for display in Thornaby Library. Chris had his taken with Stockton Borough Councillor Eileen Craggs.

The event was organised by the newly formed Thornaby Yorkshire Day Society, who with help from Thornaby Town Council, put on an excellent show which can only grow. More pictures will follow in a few days. Pictured are members of the new society reading Thornaby's own 'Five Lamps' poem.

Top Blogger Iain Dale helps our campaign

Posted by Chris:

A big thank you to leading Conservative blogger, Iain Dale, for allowing me a guest spot on his blog to promote Yorksire Day and the campaign for real counties.

Yorkshire Day at Cloughton

Yorkshire Cricket legend Brian Stott was guest of honour at the annual Cloughton Yorkshire Day Garden Party.

The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity is read.

Yorkshire Day at Redcar

Ian Swales and Glynis provide the entertainment whilst the Yorkshire Ridings' Society and Redcar Ladies Lifeboat Guild sell white roses to raise funds for Redcar Lifeboat.

Glynis recites 'The Council Cat' by HB Whitehead, whilst granddaughter Charlotte listens in.

Yorkshire Day at Guisborough

Who is that guy behind the Mayor? Could it be George Dunning Labour Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council wearing a white rose? Wonders will never cease. Picture by Cllr Val Halton.

Lib Dems on parade. Third right. Cllr Margaret Wilson, Cllr Irene Curr, Cllr Mary Ovens. Centre, in front of flag, Cllr Madge Moses, flanked by her son and daughter-in-law. Picture by Cllr Val Halton.


Chris and Glynis carry the flag. Picture by Cllr Val Halton.

The Lib Dem Chain Gang. Just some of the Lib Dem Mayors, Mayoresses and former Mayors pictured in the grounds of Guisborough Priory.

The largest gathering of Civic Heads in the world at Guisborough today to celebrate Yorkshire Day.

Phew what a shower!

Well it did rain but the storm reached us a little later than predicted:

Outside our front door

The garden pond

Wear your white rose with pride tomorrow at 4pm in Redcar High Street

The Yorkshire Ridings Society are holding their annual Yorkshire Day reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at 4pm near the Town Clock in Redcar High Street.

There will also be readings of light hearted Yorkshire poetry. If you have a poem that you like or have written please come and read it.

Ridings Society members and the Redcar Ladies Lifeboat Guild will be in the High Street, during the afternoon, selling silk white roses at £1 each. All proceeds will go to Redcar Lifeboat. They will also be in Guisborough High Street in the morning supporting the Yorkshire Society (a different organisation), who are holding their annual Yorkshire Day Parade, church service and lunch. This is the first time that Redcar and Cleveland Council have hosted the event for the whole county.

It's going to rain!

Redcar and Cleveland Council have received an Early Alert of a possible extreme amount of rainfall that could affect our area between 14.00 hrs on Thursday 31st July through to 03.00 hrs Friday 1st August, 2008.

This downpour may lead to surface water flooding. The Council activated their Adverse Weather Plan and have resources on standby. They will be closely monitoring conditions over the next 12 hours.

Well that's OK then but we hope it clears up in time for the Yorkshire Day events tomorrow.

UPDATE 17.10: Not much rain yet but it's overcast and getting cooler.
UPDATE: Woken up at 03.50 by the most enormous crack of lighting

Pictures from the Yorkshire Flag Registration Ceremony at Hull today

The Beverley Brass Band provided the music.

The Flag Institute present a copy of the Flag Registration Certificate
to the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Elaine Garland.

The Lord Mayor unfurls the newly registered flag.

Roger and Chris Sewell before they set off to walk from Hull to York with the flag.

Yorkshire Ridings' Society President, Judith Anderson (left)
and Chris Sewell display the Yorkshire flag.

Yorkshire Mayors parade in Guisborough

Redcar and Cleveland Council is ready to welcome a total of over 40 Lord Mayors, Mayors and Council chairmen, resplendent in their civic robes, from all over Yorkshire to a colourful day of celebration for Yorkshire Day in Guisborough on Friday, August 1.

The Yorkshire Society chairman, Keith Madeley, said: "The civic day will see the largest gathering of civic heads in one place on one day anywhere in the world!"

The men and women, some joined by civic mace-bearers, will have a traffic-free walk along Guisborough's Westgate to St Nicholas Church for an hour-long service, which starts at 11am.

Mr Madeley, a Leeds-based business consultant, who boasts his own website, said: "It's a spectacle to behold, the Mayors will all be in their regalia and we'll have mace bearers, too. It would be wonderful to have as many people as possible to line the streets waving the white rose Yorkshire flag."

The Council's Mayor Councillor Mike Findley said: "After the success of the Yorkshire Regiment's Freedom Parade in Redcar, I'm looking forward to another successful day celebrating all that's good about Yorkshire.

"We're welcoming over 200 dignitaries to Guisborough and it's right that people celebrate their heritage. I hope the people of Redcar and Cleveland will turn up and ensure the success of another great Yorkshire event."

The public are welcome to attend the service which includes the Yorkshire Day Anthem, led by opera singer Suzannah Clarke, and the reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity.

The civic dignataries, plus the High Sheriffs for South and North Yorkshire and the Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, all wearing white roses, will walk from the church up for a commemorative photocall in the grounds of Gisborough Priory in what has been an annual Yorkshire Day event since 1985.

After the photo session, timed for around 12.15pm, the civic party will leave for lunch at nearby Laurence Jackson School, with the Yorkshire-themed menu including Rydale mushrooms, herb crusted rack of lamb with minted pea filled Yorkshire pudding, parkin with raspberries or Swaledale cheese and Yorkshire blend tea.

Chance to win £100 worth of political books

Top Tory Blogger Iain Dale is preparing his annual "Guide to Political Blogging" and is asking readers to: "Email your Top Ten Blogs to toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com and have the chance to win £100 worth of political books."

Iain writes:

In early September TOTAL POLITICS, in association with APCO WORLDWIDE will publish the 2008-9 Guide to Political Blogging in the UK. It will contain articles on blogging by some of Britain's leading bloggers, together with a directory of UK political blogs, and a series of Top 20s and Top 10s. The book will be available at the Green Party, TUC, Labour, LibDem and Tory Conferences, where TOTAL POLITICS will have exhibition stands.

We're asking for your votes to decide the Top 100 UK Political Blogs. Simply email your Top Ten (ranked from 1 to 10) to toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com. If you have a blog, please encourage your readers to do the same. I'll then compile the Top 100 from those that you send in. Just order them from 1 to 10. Your top blog gets 10 points and your tenth gets 1 point.

The deadline for submitting your Top 10 is Friday August 15th. Please type Top 10 in the subject line. Or you can of course leave your Top 10 in the Comments on this post.

Once all the entries are in a lucky dip draw will take place and the winner will be sent £100 worth of political books!

The rules are simple:
1. Please only vote once
2. Only blogs based in the UK, run by UK residents are eligible or based on UK politics are eligible
3. Votes must be cast before Friday 15 August
4. Blogs chosen must be listed in the Total Politics Blog Directory.
5. You must send a list of TEN blogs, ranked. Any entry containing fewer than ten blogs will not count.
6. Anonymous votes left in the comments will not count. You must give a name

Click here to emaill in your TOP TEN BLOGS.

YRS celebrates Yorkshire's special day

Yorkshire Ridings Society events on Yorkshire Day,

Friday 1st August 2008:

YORK - Yorkshire Day celebrations in York.

10.30 Yorkshire Flag arrives at Walmgate Bar after being carried from Hull for readings of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity.

10.45 Walmgate Bar
11.33 Mickelgate Bar
12.15 Bootham Bar
12.45 Monk Bar

Then the flag will be carried into the city centre for the final reading at 1.00 in St Sampson's Square, where York City Council are organising a special Yorkshire Day event with stalls and entertainment.

REDCAR - Yorkshire Day celebrations in Redcar.

The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity ceremony and poetry readings take place near the the Town Clock in, Redcar High Street, at 4pm on Yorkshire Day, 1st August.

Members of the YRS North Riding Group and the Redcar Ladies Lifeboat Guild will be in High Street’s of Redcar and Guisborough where silk white roses will be on sale at £1. All proceeds go to Redcar Lifeboat.

Another event supported by the Yorkshire Ridings Society is as follows:

THORNABY - Saturday 2nd August 2008.

A full programme of events take place at Thornaby Green, Thornaby from 12 noon on Saturday 2nd July following a service in St Peter’s Church.

The Yorkshire Flag we registered was the one in common use - YRS

A gentleman, who designed a version of the Yorkshire Flag that is a red and white reversed out Danish Flag with a Yorkshire Rose in the centre of the cross has written to the media questioning the Yorkshire Ridings Society's right to register the traditional white rose on a blue background as the Yorkshire flag.

We asked the Flag Institute to register the traditional flag because that was the one that has been in common use for so many years. We have no wish to quarrel with the gentleman concerned. We have simply registered the white rose flag that we know has been accepted by common use for many years. There was a danger that another county might want to include a white rose in their flag and we needed to ensure that Yorkshire claimed it first.

We agree with the following statement that has been issued by the Flag Institute today:

Earlier this year the Yorkshire Riding Society (YRS) approached the Flag Institute, in the person of our Chief Vexillologist, Graham Bartram, to register the flag of Yorkshire. They had been speaking to their friend across the Pennines who had just registered the Lancashire flag. They wanted to register the traditional design of a white rose on a blue background. Graham asked if they had considered any other designs, and they had. They wanted to stick with the traditional design rather than the other Yorkshire flag they had seen, A red Scandinavian cross on white with a rose en soleil at the cross's centre. They had never seen this design flying and felt it was associated with the concept of a Yorkshire & Humberside Region/Assembly which had fallen through several years earlier. The traditional design has been made in Yorkshire for over forty years, With JW Plant in Leeds being one of the manufacturers, and that was the design they felt happy with.

The only design work Graham undertook was to come up with an official drawing of the flag. Although the basic design has been in use for a long time there has been no standardization of the rose, or the shade of blue of the background. The rose was redrawn several times until we came up with what the YRS thought was an archetypal Yorkshire Rose. The YRS also chose the shade of blue as Pantone 300 which they felt gave a bright and colourful flag.

Another "controversy" is which way round the rose goes. There is no agreement about this in Yorkshire with some people and organizations using it one way up and others the other way up. The YRS went with the majority, the North and West Ridings of the county, where it is normally used with the sepal downwards. These parts of the county are where Leeds, Bradford, Doncaster, Sheffield, etc are located with the majority of the population. The rose is also positioned centrally so there is nothing to stop someone who feels strongly that the rose is the wrong way up flying it the other way up!

So in summary all the Flag Institute is doing is registering a traditional design that has been in use for over forty years and can be seen flying all over the country, and producing a single standard drawing of the flag for future production. The YRS did not design the flag and do not claim to have designed it, they just asked the Flag Institute to register it, which we are happy to do.

Lib Dems Call for Support for Seaside Towns

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council are calling on the borough’s MPs to support a campaign to promote British seaside holidays.

Travelodge, the hotel chain, has launched a “Save Our Seaside” campaign. They hope to open 55 new hotels in seaside locations, and claim this will create 1000 new jobs.

Two Lib Dem MPs from coastal constituencies, John Pugh (Southport) and Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) have submitted an Early Day Motion (EDM 2122) to Parliament congratulating Travelodge on its scheme.

Marske Lib Dem Councillor Margaret Wilson (pictured) is urging Redcar & Cleveland’s two MPs to sign the EDM

Cllr Wilson said:

“Travelodge have realised that reviving our seaside towns will require a partnership of businesses, central and local government and individuals as consumers.

"The Borough Redcar and Cleveland has a terrific coastline and a number of friendly seaside towns and villages. We need to improve and promote them.

“Even the Prime Minister is taking a holiday on the Suffolk coast this year, so I hope the local Labour MPs will at least be able to support this initiative.”

Ghost Walk Guide wins the North Riding Duck Race

The annual North Riding Duck Race, held on Saturday 26th July 2008 in Saltburn beck, was won by Mark Graham of Stamford Bridge, near York.

Mark, who is well known as a guide on the Original Ghost Walk of York, won the Colin Holt Cup and a gift voucher when his plastic duck No 110, named 'Harry' and just pipped Redcar's Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Ian Swales's duck, No 87, 'You Rang Mallard' by half a beak's length. In 3rd place, just a beak away, was Barbara Abbott of Harrogate (Chris's mum), with duck No 42 named 'Cheryl.'

The prize for the best named duck went to 8 years old Sophie Maycroft of Marton whose Duck No 183 was named 'Don't Forget To Duck.'

The race had been held in a slight head wind and a slow current meant the race had to be reduced in length before the ducks started to flow backwards.

I90 ducks were entered into the race, which raised just over £200 for the Yorkshire Ridings' Society's road signs campaign.

Pictures by Ruth Lince

Lib Dems Condemn Tory Footpath Cuts

Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show that North Yorkshire County Council has made severe cutbacks in maintaining the county’s public footpaths.

The Conservative-run council spent only £280k on maintaining the network last year, compared with £505k in 2005/6. The Council now employs 22 full-time equivalent staff on public rights-of-way, compared with 28 in 2005/6.

Even more worryingly, performance indicators show that only 65% of footpaths are now considered easy to use by walkers, compared with 75% last year.

The Ramblers’ Association has also expressed concern at the reduction in resources for footpath work.

Lib Dem Councillor Keith Barnes (Harrogate Oatlands) commented:

"In recent years the County Council has significantly improved the footpath network, responding positively to information from walkers. But the Council appears to be letting things slip now. There is still a lot to do. Many rights-of-way require maintenance as well as work on the large number of path diversions and creation orders awaiting resolution."

Cllr Barnes raised the issue at this week’s meeting of the Council, at which the Conservative portfolio holder conceded that the fall in performance was disappointing.

Cllr Barnes added:

“Walking is a big part of our county’s leisure and tourism industry, bringing a great deal of money into the local economy. It is false economics to let the footpath network deteriorate, especially when the Council clearly has the money.”

WH Smith - What a RIP OFF!

Posted by Chris:

Went into WH Smith in Redcar High Street today to buy a permanent marker to put the numbers on the new ducks we bought for tomorrow's North Riding Duck Race.

They had a Paper Mate W10 at £4.99. I thought that was a little steep so I went across to Wollies to see what they had. I bought the exact same Paper Mate W10 for 99p!

I went back to WH Smith because I have gift tokens that I got from my kids for my birthday and complained about the price of the maker pen. I asked how can you justify charging £4.50 when Wollies sell the same thing for 99p? I was brushed off with "well some companies charge different prices for things."

Lib Dems force changes to Larkswood Road traffic calming measures

The Liberal Democrats campaign, led by John Hannon, to get the road humps in Larkswood Road made less fierce has succeeded.

John's survey in the Kirkleatham Ward Focus showed that 72% of residents actually wanted them removed altogether and only 3% wanted them to stay. Redcar & Cleveland Council have issued the following statement today:

Redcar and Cleveland Council is ready to start work on a traffic calming scheme along a busy town road in Redcar - answering residents' concerns over accident fears.

The £14,000 scheme, programmed to start on Monday, August 18 and last two weeks, will reverse the priority of a pinch point and lower the height of the speed cushions on Plantation Road and Larkswood Road.

Consultation with the residents found overwhelming evidence that the existing measures, introduced in 1999, have met with opposition, and the Council is now confident the new arrangements will ease worries.

The Council's traffic engineers have assessed the pinch point arrangement on Plantation Road and will reverse the priority, allowing traffic heading out of Redcar to leave more easily - and cut out fumes created by queuing traffic."

'Love it, Hate it' Exhibition

Many people have said that Redcar seafront needs a facelift.

The Council has arranged an exhibition to get the views from the public – and the views from YOU – about what you would LOVE to see in a new design for the seafront – and also what you would HATE to see.

Your views will then be forwarded to the designers and architects who are taking part in the challenge to come up with a design for the seafront.

You will be extended a warm welcome by the staff who are manning the exhibition tomorrow or over the weekend – so, please take a little time to call in at the ‘Love it, Hate it’ marquee to share your ideas with them and take part in shaping the future of our town.

The exhibition is in a marquee on the seafront - opposite Woolworths and next to the Lifeguard Station – open daily 10am to 4pm.

Yorkshire flag welcomes people to Redcar

This is the sight that now welcomes visitors into Redcar by train. The Yorkshire flag has replaced the Union Flag which had worn in half over Hartgrove's Removal depot.

The Redcar Station complex also houses the constituency office of Redcar's MP, Vera Baird, who may need to be told what the flag stands for.