North Shore footbridge
The large arch of the new footbridge was lifted into place courtesy of the UK's largest mobile crane and now sits alongside its smaller sister arch forming the main pedestrian and cycle link between Tees Valley Regeneration's North Shore development and both Teesdale Business Park and Durham University's Queen's Campus. You can watch a video of the lift or view the web cam via the Tees valley Regeneration website. There is a link to the website in the external links section of this page.
New Opportunities for Stockton Businesses
A new website to help local private and public sector organisations work together has just been launched. The Stockton Business Forum Website (stocktonbusinessforum.co.uk), which is free to all Stockton based businesses to register and access, provides a web portal to all tender opportunities publicised by Stockton Borough Council. The Business Forum will use the website to keep local businesses up to date on a wide range of opportunities, to contract with the Local Authority and expand the working partnership between the local Business Community and Public Sector Bodies.
The website should make it easier for local businesses and public sector organisations to communicate with each other and improve the services they provide to the public. An additional feature of the website designed to promote Stockton business, called Business Finder, allows members to advertise their services along with key contact details, again free of charge.
Stockton businesses can register now at www.stocktonbusinessforum.co.uk.
Free Swimming for the Under 16's and over 60's
From 1st April 2009, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in conjunction with Tees Active Ltd will be offering FREE swimming to the U16's and Over 60's of the borough through the Governments FREE Swimming Initiative.
The Free Swimming Initiative was announced in June 2008 as the centrepiece of the Governments plan to ensure a lasting sporting legacy from the London 2012 Games and Paralympic Games.
Further details will follow in the New Year.
New Northshore Footbridge is named Infinity Bridge
The new footbridge between Durham University Campus and the North Shore is now in place. The distinctively designed curve of the footbridge now creates a unique reflection in the River Tees forming the mathematical symbol for infinity and lending itself to the name.
Don't miss out on free bus travel
Tees Valley residents, eligible for free concessionary bus travel, need to be aware that old style bus passes will no longer be valid after Tuesday, September 30.
From October 1 bus drivers will no longer accept old-style passes, which will be withdrawn and returned to the issuing local authority. Passengers would then need to pay the full adult fare for their journey until they receive the new national pass, with no refunds possible.
Bus users should check that they have the new English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passes, which were introduced from 1 April. These are white credit card size plastic cards with a red rose in the top left corner and photograph on the left hand side.
The new English national travel scheme gives everyone over 60 and those with a qualifying disability free bus travel anywhere in England using local bus services. Anyone still using old-style passes issued before April needs to apply to their council for a new pass before the approaching deadline.
Neither the Tees Valley authorities nor bus companies want anyone to miss out on free bus travel. We urge everyone who hasn't yet done so to make sure they get their new English national pass before the deadline. Newly qualified residents simply have to register with their local council.
People who would like further advice or information should contact their local council. Each council has a helpline to advise residents:
Stockton-on-Tees - (01642) 528499
www.stockton.gov.uk
Darlington - (01325) 388799
www.darlington.gov.uk/Transport/Concessionary
Hartlepool - (01429) 523337
www.hartlepool.gov.uk
Middlesbrough - (01642) 729700
www.middlesbrough.gov.uk
Redcar & Cleveland - (01642) 444973
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Community Skips
The community skips are available only for residents of the ward to use and will be available on
Monday 8th December at the junction of Dorset and South Roads
New Secondary School for Norton
Initial consultation has taken place regarding the future of secondary schooling in the borough. The consultation leaflet distributed throughout the borough made no reference to the possibility of a new school in Norton. At a packed public meeting in Norton School parents gave powerful and emotional reasons why a new school should indeed be based in Norton. At the meeting, and also at a Governors' meeting, Cllr Steve Nelson who also represents Norton South promised that he would ensure that the option of a new school in Norton would be seriously considered.
We are delighted to report that the proposals being put to Government to secure £150m of funding include just that; a brand new school in Norton. With all the talk of school "closures" we think that the real good news of a fantastic new facility for our children is getting lost. We would also stress that the proposed "closures" of both Blakeston and Norton Schools in no way should be seen as a negative reflection on them and the education they provide. Both have produced good results, up considerably on last year's, and both add educational value to their pupils well in excess of that achieved by schools in the so-called "leafy suburbs".
Once the proposals have been to Government there will be a further round of consultation but we both hope, expect and will fight to ensure that the new school for Norton option will be the one that gets the go ahead.
Albany House Site
We are looking to get a solution to the fence situation that will hopefully satisfy not only the residents of Spalding and Boston Walk but also the new residents on the site. We have personally contacted the Chief Executive of Tees Valley Housing and will meet on site soon with relevant parties to find a solution.
Cheshire Road Planting Scheme
At the request of residents we asked Care For Your Area to put in a planting scheme involving rose beds and this has now been done.
Anti Social Behaviour
At a recent ward surgery on Albany a number of residents attended to complain about youths hanging about causing problems. The local Police Team and Council Enforcement Officers were present also and after the meeting the Ward Police Team handed out a number of ASB13 letters to youths which involved their parents being made aware of their children's behaviour. In addition one Tristar tenant has been evicted as a result of various episodes of ASB. Our other ward councillor Steve Nelson recently attended a meeting of Swainby Road residents with similar concerns. The message everywhere is clear. The law abiding silent majority must play their part in identifying and reporting ASB and crime and all parents need to ask the question "what are my children doing tonight?"
Norton South's Police Team
We are pleased to welcome on board Darren Lake the new Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for the ward. Darren alongside PC Paul Lockwood and PCSO Graham Clyburn make up the ward police team. To discuss any ward "law and order" issues with them please ring 302930 or else pop along to one of our ward surgeries, which are also attended by the police team.
Land Behind Corals Bookmakers
Residents complained to us about the state of the land behind Corals on Norton Road. After contacting the owners they have now put up a metal fence, which will stop further dumping. They have also said that they will tidy up the land.
Minor Environmental Schemes
As ward councillors we are allocated a relatively small budget each year to spend on minor schemes such as parking lay-bys, planting schemes, dog and litter bins etc in the ward. Our last allocation was spent on extra parking in Leicester Road and Surrey Road. If you have any thoughts on what we might spend it on this financial year please let me know.
Speed Surveys
We often get requests for speed calming on roads. The first step is to do a traffic speed survey. We have had this done for Albany Road, Cheshire Road and Hallifield Street. The surveys show that 85% of all traffic across all three roads averages well under 27mph and the fastest 15% are averaging 33mph on Albany Road, 30mph on Cheshire Road and 28mph on Hallifield Street. The police would not consider any enforcement action on streets averaging fastest speeds of under 35mph. Unfortunately there will always be a few idiots on our roads but as the figures show these are fortunately the exception rather than the rule.
Great North Park/A19 Cycle Way Tidy Up
We have had a litter pick carried out along the GNP. On the A19 cycle way the contractors working for Autolink will reinstate soon the damage they have caused to the grass. We have also got them to remove the fencing they piled there.
Alleygate Update
After securing funding for alley gates in the Trent/Derwent/Victoria/Salisbury area we have done the same for alleygates in the Larkhall, Windmill, Mount Pleasant Rd, Grove Terrace, Prospect Place, Hallifield/Edgar/Butler Street areas too.
These schemes will be done over the next three years on a highest priority first basis. We would therefore stress that, as always, residents must report all incidents of crime or anti social behaviour so these roads get gates as soon as possible.
Sarak/Hills Site Update
Delays to the start of building the new homes on the site have been caused by developers having to meet pre-start planning conditions. They tell us that they are very keen to get on site to start the remediation work needed and hope to do so soon. We have also established that there is no registered owner of the old rail track behind Milburn Crescent containing tonnes of ballast used as ammunition by local yobs. We continue to explore options.
Road Resurfacing
We are pleased to report that the resurfacing scheme roads for this year in Norton South are Albany Road and Dovedale Road. Unfortunately only so many roads in the borough can be done in each financial year but we will be pushing for further roads in the ward next year.
Housing Update
Tristar Homes tenants on Albany and throughout the borough are currently being consulted on the future of the Council's housing stock. A few years ago we were able to secure funding to improve council properties on the estate after decades of neglect. We are now looking at options for the future that will allow us to bring in more funds to make sure the aspirations of our tenants continue to be met.
North Shore Development
The North Shore Development is an exciting and ambitious project that will transform Stockton's Riverside. The development includes plans for new apartments and homes alongside a new hotel and leisure facilities as well as commercial offices and retail space, all in a high quality environment with modern layout and design. A consultation event took place earlier this year at the Stockton Library. Development on the site is anticipated to start in the Summer of 2009. Development of the North Shore bridge commenced in the Autumn of 2007. You can see the web cam of the bridge works at the Tees Valley Regeneration web site together with the latest news, aerial photographs and plans.
Parking Lay-bys
We are happy to report that additional parking bays will be provided at Surrey Road shops. In addition a few extra spaces will be provided at Leicester Road.
No to fortnightly refuse collections
This issue has been in the national news a lot recently and we have had a number of residents asking what the position is in Stockton. We can categorically state that there are absolutely no plans to introduce fortnightly refuse collections in the borough.
Dog Dirt
I have been asked by some residents to remind the small minority of irresponsible dog owners to clear up after their pets. I know that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and see this for myself on a regular basis. However, the selfish and lazy minority continue to show that they really don't "care for their area". We have again asked the Council's Enforcement Officers to monitor local "hot spots".
Now you hear it now you don't!
We were asked by residents near the Malleable Club and also club goers themselves if we could sort out the drain cover on Norton Road. Every time a car went over it, it made a loud, irritating noise that annoyed a lot of people. Anyway we have had it fixed thus proving it isn't just the big issues that improve people's quality of life.
Dalton Grove Path
Following a full clear up of the path leading off the Grove last year we have had the bushes etc cut right back.
Tees Valley Bus Users Forum
On the 25th February 2008 I chaired the first Tees Valley Bus Users Forum which was held at the Swallow Hotel in Stockton. Representatives from all of the Tees Valley Local Authorities, the Joint Strategy Unit and principle bus operators were there together with bus users to discuss issues facing bus users across the whole of the Tees Valley Bus Network and the Network Improvements scheme. The meeting was well attended by bus users representing rural interests as well as those of the different towns that make up the Tees Valley. It is hoped that another forum can be scheduled for the summer of 2008. I will publicise the date here as soon as it becomes available.
Discover Historic Norton
Stockton Council's Parks and Countryside Team has worked closely with Tees Archaeology to produce a series of leaflets celebrating the history of Norton, Yarm and Cowpen Bewley.
The leaflets are packed with information, pictures and maps to guide walkers around many of the interesting historical features still evident in the three areas.
Each leaflet contains a map of the area with start and finish points and the walk route clearly marked on it.
Leaflets are available in libraries, Tourist Information Centres, Stockton Council reception areas and at Country Park visitor centres. You can also download a copy from the bottom of this page or contact the Parks and Countryside Team on (01642) 526871.
