Survey seeks views on attracting shoppers and visitors to Redcar

Residents and visitors to Redcar are being asked for their views on the market, seafront attractions and concessions as well as events and festivals in the town as part of a drive to attract more shoppers and visitors.

A consultation process is under way seeking views on:

*       relocation of the market to the precinct area near the Town Clock

*       moving the market day from a Wednesday to a Friday

*       events and festivals to create a vibrant town centre

*       business opportunities for seafront attractions and concessions.

To comment on the proposals:

*       complete an on-line questionnaire by visiting: 

*       email 

*       telephone 01642 495359

*       write to: Regeneration Services, Redcar & Cleveland Council, Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 1RT.

The deadline for comments to be submitted is Monday 14 January 2013.

Redcar Lib Dems campaign for recognition of local hero

Liberal Democrats in Zetland Ward are campaigning to get a plaque erected in a local park to honour a local hero - Redcar's Sir Rex Hunt.

Born in the town's Laburnum Road in 1921, Rex Hunt joined the RAF near the end of World War Two flying spitfires in India. After serving his country in Uganda, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Vietnam, he found fame as Governor of the Falkland Islands during the 1982 Argentinian invasion and the war that followed.

He was knighted in 1982 and continued as Governor after the war until 1985. He later returned to the north-east, living near Stockton until his death on November 11th 2012.

Local Councillor Ron Harrison said:

"Rex Hunt's service to Britain over a period of more than 40 years including WW2 & the Falklands War, during which he displayed cool diplomatic skill and great courage before being taken prisoner, make him one of Redcar's heroes."

"Now that he is gone, we are determined that his name will live on in his home town. We are therefore looking to get some sort of plaque or other memorial built in one of Zetland Ward’s parks in his honour."

Councillor Josh Mason added:

“It’s really important that we remember those who have contributed to Redcar’s rich history and culture. And provide a lasting monument to local heroes, past and present.”

Redcar's refurbished groynes will be restored to their original height

Here is the reply I got in response to my question about the height of the refurbished groynes shown in the above photograph taken and originally posted on Facebook by Philip Chisholm.

Dear Cllr Abbott

Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your enquiry.

Mark Hopgood, Team Leader Technical Projects has received the following response from Steve Dunning:

The groynes at the Stray had ceased to retain sand effectively due to the missing groyne boards and piles. The accepted scientific method states that for groynes to retain sand they should be no higher than 500mm above up drift sand levels, any higher than this and they cause scour which reduces sand levels. Incidentally this is the same method that was used when the groynes were installed in the 1960's

In line with this all groynes are to have the boards and piles repaired to fill in any gaps, and are to be reduced in height to 500mm, or 2 groyne boards, above up drift sand levels. The sand levels will be monitored and, as and when the sand returns, the boards will be gradually built back up to their full height.

The excess boards are being taken to a secure storage area and any extra boards will be sourced through the EA timber procurement framework.

Funding for the work is in place as part of the Redcar Flood Alleviation Scheme and will be made available to the Council as needed

Mark Hopgood

Team Leader Capital Projects Team