Your polling stations for Thursday's election

Please use the link below to see who your candidates are for the local government election to be held this Thursday, 2 May 2013 from 7am to 10pm. 

Details are also given of the polling station you will use to cast your votes.

Simply go to the table for the Blackhalls Ward and match your election number (shown on your polling card) to the relevant polling station. If you have a postal vote and haven't yet returned it by post you can take it along to the polling station on Thursday if you prefer.

http://content.durham.gov.uk/PDFRepository/NoticeofPollCounty.pdf

Please remember that you will be electing 2 county councillors so you will have 2 votes.

Pot holes in Hesleden and Station Town

I have passed reports to the highways department at county hall this morning of pot holes at Hazel Drive in Hesleden and on the road between Front Street and the former community centre in Station Town.

In light of the depth and number of pot holes in these areas I have asked that repairs be carried out as soon as possible.

Fence repairs completed at Blackhall Rocks

As a result of my contact with the highways section at Durham County Council the repairs to the fence between the Phoenix service station and Beech Avenue at Blackhall Rocks were completed last week (see post dated 17 April for background details).

Only by being vigilant and proactive in reporting incidents of damage and disrepair can we ensure that our villages are maintained to a decent standard. If you have any similar issues in your neighbourhood to report please contact me in the usual way.

The newly renovated Black Path

If you haven't had the opportunity recently to take a walk along the Black Path, linking Blackhall Colliery with Blackhall Rocks and High Hesleden, now would be a good time to do so following its recent surface upgrade.

For a number of years the pathway had become broken and uneven leaving it unsightly and dangerous to use so last year, along with the parish clerk, I contacted officers at Durham County Council and asked if they would be prepared to fund a refurbishment scheme to bring the path back into full use.

They recognised our argument that the Black Path was essential in joining our communities together and also in encouraging people to exercise more often. They agreed to the request and the results are now there for all to see (please see previous posts dated 6 November 2012, 17 January 2013 & 7 March 2013 for background details).

The recently resurfaced Black Path at its highest point, looking south towards High Hesleden

Fly-tipping at Middle Street, Blackhall

Once again I have had to report another incident of fly-tipping in the rear yard of a property in Middle Street (see previous posts dated  20 August 2012 & 10 January 2013 for further details).

I have reported this property for clearance several times since last summer and the landlord complies each time, only to allow the yard to be filled with junk again within a week or so! 

On this occasion I have asked the neighbourhood wardens to request the landlord to secure the property to prevent a recurrence. However the council cannot enforce such actions, ultimately it is up to the landlords discretion whether to make the property safe or to continue to fork out for clearance costs every few weeks.

Either way, I think the landlords failure to take effective long-term action is unacceptable given the environmental and visual impact on neighbours in the surrounding streets.

The now familiar scene of rubbish in the rear yard of 29 Middle Street

Environmental improvements at Hillcrest Place, Hesleden

Last week I reported that landscaping works at the former garage site at Hillcrest Place in Hesleden had begun (see post dated 16 April for background details). 

This work was carried out to address the concerns of residents nearby that the old wall was unstable, unsightly and posed a safety threat to children in the area.

Works to grade the grass slope and to reduce the height of the wall are now completed. The slope has been reseeded and further works to erect a short safety fence either on the wall or on the grassed area above are to begin soon. 

Further fly-tipping at Deneholme, Blackhall

I reported earlier this month about fly-tipping on Deneholme bank and on the beach nearby (see posts dated 3, 12 & 18 April 2013). 

At my request wardens arranged a clearance of the parts of the bank owned by the county council but I have noticed that there have now been further incidents of fly-tipping at the top of Deneholme bank:

I have passed images of this latest incident to the neighbourhood wardens and I have asked them to visit the site to see if there is any evidence within the dumped waste which might identify the people responsible for causing this nuisance.

I will persist with my campaign to end fly-tipping in our villages (see post dated 12 April 2013) but in the meantime please let me know if you are aware of any further incidents of this nature in our area.

Highways repair requests at Blackhall Rocks and Blackhall Colliery

I have contacted the highways section at Durham County Council this morning to ask for urgent repairs to the pelican crossing on the Coast Road at Blackhall Rocks.

I have pointed out the danger posed to pedestrians, especially children living nearby, and asked that repair works be given priority.

I have also requested repair works to the pavement at the corner of Sixth Street and Middle Street in Blackhall Colliery. The condition of this patch of pavement has been reported by shoppers and local businesses as unsightly and as posing a danger to pedestrians.

Local Election information : available online from tomorrow

The DCC press release below gives details of how to access information about the forthcoming county council elections to be held on Thursday 2 May 2013:

Arrangements for the forthcoming Durham County Council elections will be online from tomorrow (Friday, 19 April).

Copies of the Notice of Poll for the elections on Thursday, 2 May will also be available from Customer Access Points and County Hall from Monday, 22 April.

The notice of poll gives details of all candidates standing for election, the locations of polling stations and times when voting is open.

The poll information will be online from 11am tomorrow at www.durham.gov.uk/elections, with hard copies available from Customer Access Points at Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Crook, Durham City, Seaham, Spennymoor and Stanley as well as County Hall, Durham.

Visitors to customer surgeries in Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe can also pick up a copy of the notice.

For more information or to receive a copy of the Notice of Poll, contact Durham County Council electoral services on 03000 261 212.

Deneholme clean-up organised for next month

Following my complaints to the police and neighbourhood wardens recently about fly-tipping in the Deneholme area of Blackhall Colliery (see posts dated 3 & 12 April 2013) I have received further information this afternoon regarding a clean-up event in the area next month:

As discussed Kendra Milne (Street Warden) has received a complaint about the amount of rubbish/fly tipping in the Blackhall Denemouth area. This being the case the Neighbourhood Wardens assisted by the Civic Pride Team are organising a multi agency/volunteer clean up on Friday 10th May (times to be confirmed).

So far we have wardens, civic pride staff,  Clean and Green , English Nature (7 volunteers), Niall Benson and Louise from Heritage Coast, and Ian Goodwin (Pcso). I have contacted the environment agency and waiting for an email back from them so this partnership could grow even more.

As discussed it does fit very nicely with the coast watch scheme and is also a good example of partnership approach to a problem.

Fence repairs at Beech Avenue, Blackhall Rocks

The relatively new replacement fence at the top of Beech Avenue, Blackhall Rocks has become damaged and I have been told tonight by a resident nearby that despite previous requests for repairs its condition worsens.

I have now taken this matter up and have reported the fence for repairs as a matter of urgency, given the potential for accidents caused by the gap and the steep drop to the other side.

The damaged fence at Beech Avenue, Blackhall Rocks

Blackhall Community Association May Day Half Term Events Programme

May Half Term Programme

0191 586 7396

Booking is Essential

Bank Holiday Monday 27^th May 2013

Closed

Tuesday 28^th May 2013

Hi lights Disco Age 12 and under 4pm – 5.30pm

50p per person

Thursday 30^th May 2013

Multi Sports with Steve 1pm – 2pm Age 5 – 8 years £1.00

Multi Sports with Steve 2pm – 3pm Age 9 – 13 years £1.00

Friday 31^st May 2013

Funky Feet 9.30am – 11.00am £1.50 per child

Saturday 1^st June 2013

One for the Adults 80’s Disco £1.00

Wardens to tackle horse issues in Station Town

Last night I took a phone call from the neighbourhood wardens regarding a problem raised with me at yesterday's coffee morning in Station Town about horses running loose in the village. Residents have expressed fears about animal welfare and concerns that an accident is imminent if untethered horses are not properly controlled.

Following their involvement yesterday the wardens have told me that five horses have now been identified of which three were tethered and two were not. Of these two one is reported to have been in a poor state of health. Officers from the RSPCA visited the site late yesterday to take care of the sick horse and the rest are reported to have been made secure to prevent them running loose again.

In addition, wardens will continue to try and contact the owners of the horses to make sure that they are aware of their responsibilities. I have asked to be kept in touch and I will update on any developments through this site.

Garage site safety works begin at Hesleden

Works to upgrade the former garage site at Hillcrest Place/Harold Wilson Drive in Hesleden began this week. 

Residents had previously expressed their concerns over safety at the site and following a public meeting and a door-to-door consultation exercise carried out last year improvements are now under way (see post dated 11 October 2012 for background details).

Upgrading of the former garage site in Hesleden

Letter to Network Rail regarding fears of rail freight safety

Following concerns expressed by residents recently I have written today to Network Rail regarding reports of damage to properties near to the Hartlepool to Sunderland coastal rail line.

I have received complaints of ground tremors as well as damage caused potentially by certain types of rail freight using the track. I have asked that someone from Network Rail contact me and perhaps meet with me and residents to listen their concerns and take measures to allay their fears.

I have reproduced below the letter sent to Network Rail:

Dear ......

Re: Freight transport and structural problems:

I have been contacted by residents and a business in the immediate vicinity of the East Durham coast rail line between Sunderland and Hartlepool regarding reports of tremors and structural damage caused to their properties. From their reports it is possible that these issues may be caused by specific types of freight transport on the nearby rail track.

In addition I have previously reported structural damage to a footbridge crossing the track in this area. This may be related to the same problems as those experienced by residents nearby.

I would be grateful if you would arrange for someone from your organisation to contact me to discuss this matter further and, if appropriate, meet with me and residents in order to address their concerns.

Yours......

Cllr Rob Crute

Blackhall Division

Durham County Council

Please contact me in the usual way if you have any similar experiences or concerns.

Big Spring Clean litter picking event in Blackhall

The mild weather played its part in ensuring that we had a good turnout for the Big Spring Clean litter picking event in Blackhall Colliery this morning.

Streets in the areas around Chicken's Green, the Resource Centre, the Co-op store and East Street were cleared of litter along with the stretch of road between St Joseph's RC church and the Yohden Hall care complex and parts of the housing estate nearby.

In acknowledging that clearing litter from our village streets can be a positive and rewarding experience, there is also a downside when it's realised that a tiny minority of thoughtless people are prepared turn our streets into open litter bins and then expect others to clean up after them. A vast majority of our residents are responsible people and take their litter home or put it in the bins available, but the few who feel themselves above the law persist in making our village look untidy to other residents, visitors and travellers passing through.

Over the past few weeks the council has gradually improved its response to this problem and is  returning slowly to the efficient service we had until last year (see post dated 5 March 2013 for further details). The event today was meant to be additional to this service and not a replacement. However if just a few people took a little more pride in their environment Blackhall and the rest of our villages would be much pleasanter places in which to live and work.

Any specific areas requiring closer attention will be reported to the council's environment team first thing on Monday morning. And to finish on a more positive note I would like to thank everyone who took part in this morning's event, especially Julie Bradshaw who played a key part in organising it and who shows such passion in her determination to keep our streets clean. Well done to all!

Street cleared of paint damage

Last weekend someone thought it would be a good idea to throw a full tin of pink paint across the back lane between Tenth and Eleventh Streets. Needless to say, this caused considerable damage to the roadway and pavements and I received more than one complaint about damaged car tyres and paint being walked off the street and into properties.

However, I contacted the relevant section at county hall and I'm pleased to report that the paint has now been removed from the street. 

If you know about any incidents of similar damage or vandalism in your neighbourhood, contact me in the usual way and I'll make the necessary arrangements for clearance.

Deneholme fly-tipping issue raised at Blackhall Community Forum

The Blackhall Community Forum met at the Resource Centre on Wednesday evening, 10 April to enable residents to meet and report their concerns to representatives from the neighbourhood wardens and police. As usual I was there to chair the meeting and to take back to county hall any concerns that were council related.

The main item for discussion, and the priority issue set for the next month, was the problem of fly-tipping at Deneholme as reported on this site a few days ago (see post dated 3 April 2013). I raised this matter again at the Community Forum and asked that the police, council and wardens give this area increased attention over the coming weeks to try and prevent a recurrence of the fly-tipping, as far as possible under the circumstances.

I have also suggested that the relevant authorities consider carrying out an in-depth and open public engagement and consultation exercise during the summer months to try and find a long-term solution to this problem, which I am convinced will have a negative effect on visitor numbers to our coast if left unresolved.

If this consultation process is to be genuinely inclusive there should be a preliminary exercise to ask users of Deneholme and members of the general public to set out their favoured options. All realistic options should then be put forward for consultation and the public should be allowed to decide which measures are taken to finally end this unacceptable practice.

Contact me in the usual way please if you want to comment on this matter or if you have any suggestions you think may help to tackle the problems of littering and fly-tipping here or elsewhere in our area.

Station Town housing development gets go ahead

On Tuesday of this week planning consent was granted for 9 homes on the site of the former Co-op store in Station Town (see post dated  3 April 2013).

My main concern, that of limiting traffic access to and from  the site during and after construction, was addressed satisfactorily and the bollards at Church Street will remain in place.

Although the proposal was generally supported by the community there was one resident nearby who suggested that a record be made of the building itself, in recognition of its local and historical significance. As a result it was recommended at the planning committee that representatives from Beamish museum be invited to carry out an assessment of the property for this purpose.

Breathless & St Joseph's school : Meeting held to consider traffic problems

I attended a meeting this morning, arranged jointly with the clerk of the parish council, to consider the implications of a proposed housing development on the former Breathless site in Blackhall Colliery (see posts dated 2 October 2012 and 6 March 2013 for further information).

We invited representatives from the police and officers from Durham County Council, including those from the planning, highways and estates sections, to take a closer look at the impact that a housing development of six properties might have on businesses in the area and also on parking in the streets nearby (see post dated 4 February 2013 for background information).

From previous posts it can be seen that the main issues around this proposal are associated primarily with the safety of children attending the nearby St Joseph's primary school and also the impact on local businesses of increased parking. Clearly it would be great to see the site developed because it is currently in a very poor condition but I have serious concerns about traffic and parking issues if six properties are constructed here as detailed in the planning application. However, planning and highways officers insist that, whilst they recognise these concerns, they are not sufficient grounds for the council to refuse consent. 

This means that, if we want to see the site tidied up and developed, we need to find an alternative solution to any potential parking problems so after the meeting I took officers from the planning and estates sections to the area to see for themselves the problems as they currently stand. 

What they saw there can leave them in no doubt about the urgent need to address traffic issues in this location. Cars were parked along the full length of the street, from the library to the primary school, a delivery lorry was off-loading goods into Chapman's butchers shop while a second delivery wagon tried to gain access from the RAFA club entrance to the street. All the while cars were trying to get from one side of the street to the other which led to absolute gridlock. And as most shoppers and drivers will know, this is a common occurrence in this part of Blackhall! Luckily the officers from the council had cameras on hand to record the scene.

I have asked that estates officers consider the release of unused land in the area to help alleviate this problem, which will obviously worsen if the housing development is granted. I will update on progress but in the meantime please let me know of your opinion regarding this planning application.

Blackhall Community Forum meeting tonight

The next meeting of the monthly Blackhall Community Forum will be held this evening at the Resource Centre in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery at 6pm.

I will be there, along with representatives from the police and neighbourhood wardens, so if you have any concerns about anti-social behaviour in your area this is your opportunity to come along and report them.

I can deal with most other local concerns such as housing, planning matters, street lighting faults, pot holes, dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping without you reporting them at the Community Forum, but please feel free to come along anyway if you would rather talk to someone in person.

If you have any issues that you would like to report, but are unable to attend this evening, please get in touch with me on

0191 372 5821 or send me an email to rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Make sure you are eligible to vote!

Time is running out if you want to apply for a postal vote and now is also a good time to make sure that you are on the electoral register and eligible to vote on 2 May.

I've copied a DCC press release below with further details:

People in County Durham are being urged not to lose their vote as the deadline for registering draws near.

County and parish council elections take place on Thursday, 2 May and anyone wishing to vote needs to be on the electoral register.

To find out if you are registered, or to request a registration form, contact Durham County Council electoral services on 03000 26 12 12 or email electoralservices@durham.gov.uk.

Anyone who is listed on the electoral register can request a postal vote. You should also contact the electoral services team to apply for a postal vote.

The deadline for returning registration forms and postal vote applications is Wednesday, 17 April.

Telephone contact problems

Along with many other people in our area who use vodafone as a service provider I am having considerable problems making telephone contact with people.

Equally, residents may be having similar problems in contacting me on my usual number so if I have missed your calls over the past two weeks please accept my apologies.

As a temporary measure, and until vodafone carry out repairs to their network, please contact me through the office at county hall via the members support team on:

03000 268 823 or send me an email on

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

2013 local election candidates

I have reproduced below a list of the candidates nominated for the local elections on 2 May.

STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED 

Durham County Council 
Election of County Councillors

The following is a statement of the persons nominated for election as a County Councillor for 
Blackhalls Electoral Division 

COX 
Alan 
Yoden Villa, 5 Brockwell, 
Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, 
TS27 4JY 
Independent 

CRUTE 
Rob 
132 West St, Blackhall 
Colliery, Hartlepool, 
TS27 4LN 
Labour Party Candidate 

POUNDER 
Lynn 
7 Hillside Close, Blackhall 
Rocks, Hartlepool, TS27 4DJ 
Labour Party Candidate 

It'll be a straight contest this time between the two Labour Party candidates on the one hand, and Alan Cox who was rejected as a Labour candidate and has now decided to turn his back on the party and stand as an independent.

You have 2 votes so use them both wisely!

Rodridge Hall - update on drainage works

Previous posts on this site refer to the long running flooding and drainage issues across the highway at Rodridge Hall between Station Town and Hutton Henry (see posts dated 11 May 2012, 26 September 2012, 6 December 2012, 17 January 2013, 29 January 2013, 13 March 2013 & 28 March 2013 for further information).

I have received a further update this week from highways engineers who have now completed their initial investigations into the problem. I am informed that these works have progressed as far as possible at the moment and that further works are now needed.

As a result of preliminary works contractors HCS have highlighted a number of repairs required to drains along Rodridge Lane and also to a ditch at the end of the line. The area drainage team from Durham County Council will now seek funding from the highways revenue manager to enable these repairs to be carried out, to construct catchpits and then carry out further CCTV investigations. It is possible that further drainage issues may be uncovered once the highways drains are opened out.

Yesterday I wrote to the highways inspection manager to impress on him the priority that I attach to these works and also the urgency needed to complete them on behalf of long suffering residents.

I will continue to monitor progress very closely and also to press the authorities for priority in completing any highways and drainage works required.

Station Town planning application

The planning application for the former Co-op store housing development is due to be submitted to the planning committee next Tuesday, 9 April. Officers have recommended approval for 9 houses as detailed in the original application. 

They have addressed my concerns about access to and from the site and have confirmed that traffic will be limited to access from the north only and that the newly reinstated bollards will remain in place between the site and Church Street.

According to the committee report there were only 3 objections received and two of those are deemed to be civil matters between the two parties, rather than material planning considerations which could alter or influence planning consent. The other issue raised came from a resident nearby who suggested that a recorded visual history be made of the building in recognition of its historical significance to the community. This is recommended to be done before works start on site.

I have registered to speak at the planning committee next week but I will forego the opportunity if there are no significant, additional planning issues from residents prior to the date of the committee. However I still intend going along to the committee hearing, just to be on the safe side.

Fly-tipping at Deneholme, Blackhall Colliery

Last night I was made aware of several incidents of fly-tipping in the Deneholme area of Blackhall Colliery, particularly on the approach to the beach.

I visited the site early this morning and was appalled at the disgraceful condition of the dyke to the side of the road leading down to dene mouth. This area has been targeted by fly-tippers who have dumped almost every type of waste imaginable among the trees and all the way down the roadside to the area at the very bottom where a discarded bath has been surrounded by material and set alight.

I have contacted the heritage coast officer from the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership, along with other agencies, with a request to have this area cleared as soon as possible.

This clearance will only be effective briefly however and I think that a long-term solution must be found to prevent a recurrence of this dreadful practice. I have asked officers that all options be considered to address this problem, however I feel that local people ought to have the final say on any eventual solution.

Please let me know of your opinion or preferences in dealing with fly-tipping in our area and I will do my best to ensure that together we find a solution acceptable to all.

Rubbish set alight at the bottom of Deneholme

Fly-tipping in the mid-section of Deneholme

The lay-by at the top of Deneholme

Blackhall Rocks litter pick

The Blackhall Rocks Residents Association had a fantastic turnout for their litter pick on the estate this morning. East Durham Homes and the BRRA organised the event which involved over a dozen young people from the estate, along with as many RA members and helpers from EDH.

We were kept busy picking up litter for about an hour and a half before returning to Kasko House and it must be said that it's great to see so many young people getting involved in events which have such a positive outcome for residents and our communities. Well done to all involved.

The next litter picking event in our area will be held at Chicken's Green on Saturday 13 April at 10am as part of the Spring Clean programme run by the council's civic pride team and organised by Julie Bradshaw. More details to follow closer to the time.