Broadband provision in Castle Eden

Earlier this year we published on this site all the latest details of BT/Openreach's programme to install broadband across the county, and specifically in High Hesleden and Castle Eden (please see post dated Monday 18 January 2016 for background details).

Following our request for the latest information on broadband roll-out in this particular area we have now received a further update from the Digital Durham team and we have published it in full below:

You may recall that BT were planning to upgrade cabinet 8 that supplies Castle Eden off the Wellfield exchange under their own commercial plans. The Openreach website in January indicated it would be four months away. However, I've just been informed that the service is now available.

It’s important to note that resident's current broadband service will not just speed up, and they will need to upgrade to fibre broadband if interested.

Independent broadband comparison site which can often help you find the best deals. They could try www.cable.co.uk who are online and can also be contacted on 0800 840 5395. Other sites are available if you google broadband comparison. Remember to look for fibre broadband and not standard or basic broadband (ADSL) which is what they may currently have.

Council services over the Easter holiday period

We've received a number of queries lately regarding council services over the Easter holiday period so we thought it would be helpful to publish a few details of the council's service arrangements here for your information:

Bin collections

There will be no changes to bin collections over the Easter Bank Holiday. This includes refuse, recycling and garden waste collections (for those who have signed up to the scheme).  Bins should be put out for collection by 7.00am on your normal collection day.

Good Friday bin collection

If you normally have your bins collected on a Friday, you should put your bins out as normal on Good Friday, 25 March.

If you're unsure of your collection days, you can find out by entering your house number and postcode into the 'My Durham' tab on the council website.

Recycling centres

Recycling centres will operate as normal over the Easter weekend.

Opening hours

Customer Access Points throughout the county will be closed over the Easter weekend.

Customer Access Points and customer surgeries will be closed on Good Friday, 25 March before reopening at 8.30am on Tuesday, 29 March.

The council’s main office buildings, leisure centres and libraries will be closed to the public on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Out of hours contact arrangements

Non-emergency service requests for many council services can be made at any time via our website at www.durham.gov.uk.

Our usual out of hours/emergency contact arrangements will apply over Easter:

·         Call 03000 26 1000 for emergency highways and street lighting issues, flooding on roads and from public drains, and sandbag requests

·         Call 03000 267 979 for emergency social care and child welfare concerns.

·         Call 03000 262 195 for Care Connect (community alarm service).

·         Call 01388 722 538 if you are homeless or facing homelessness.

·         Call 03000 266 000 for our births, deaths and marriages service.

·         Call 03000 262 195 to report a dangerous structure to our .Building Control

In April 2015, the management of all remaining council housing was transferred to housing providers under the County Durham Housing Group.  Repairs can be reported online via the housing providers websites listed here.

Police, fire or ambulance

Dial 999 if it's an emergency.

Call 101 to report anti-social behaviour, or other incidents to the police which are not classed as an emergency, or to get advice about crime prevention and household security.

Call 08454 305 8383 to get advice about household fire safety, including the installation of smoke alarms, from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

Call 111 if you need health advice fast, but it's not a 999 emergency.

Household emergencies

•  Electricity  - If your power supply is interrupted call 0800 668 877. 
• Gas - if you smell gas contact the National Grid on 0800 111 999.
• Water - Call 0800 393 084 for burst water mains or 0800 328 7648 for sewer issues.

Litter at East Street, Blackhall Colliery

Following requests from residents this morning we have asked for litter and other debris to be cleared along the length of East Street, and particularly at the open grassed area at the bottom of First Street and Aspatria Avenue where it appears children may have been playing close to the rail lines.

Broken tree branches and other debris accumulated close to the rail tracks

Litter at the open grassed area at the bottom of Aspatria Avenue and First Street

Additional ward surgery at Blackhall Library

Because of an increase in requests for help and advice on local issues recently, and to reach out to a greater number of our residents, we have decided to set up an additional ward surgery in Blackhall Library.

Most of our current ward surgeries are held during the day which appears to suit most people but some of our residents, who work during the day or who have other commitments, have asked that we consider holding an additional surgery on an evening.

With this in mind we have decided to put on an extra surgery at Blackhall Library between 6 and 7 pm. This will start at the end of this month and is in addition to our other monthly ward surgeries as shown below:

FIRST FRIDAY at Blackhall Community Centre, 9.30 to 10.30 am

THIRD FRIDAY at Blackhall Library, 9.30 to 10.30 am

LAST THURSDAY at Hesleden Methodist Chapel, 9.30 to 11.00 am

LAST THURSDAY at Blackhall Library, 6.00 to 7.00 pm

We look forward to meeting you face-to-face at our surgeries but don't forget, if you can't come to see us please let us know and we'll make alternative arrangements to suit you.

Cleaning Chicken's Green

Last week we received complaints from residents about the untidy condition of Chicken's Green (please see post dated Monday 7 March 2016 for details).

Chicken's Green this morning after the clean-up last week

We reported the separate issues to the relevant authorities and asked for a clean-up as soon as possible. 

We are pleased to report that the loose and dead bushes at the Dene Road side of the pathway were removed the same day, and the litter strewn across the green was collected within 24 hours of our contact with the council's Clean & Green team.

We also reported the surface water on the pathway across the top of the green and we asked for investigations to be carried out to see what could be done to address this problem and clear the path for pedestrians.

We will report back on developments as and when they arise, but in the meantime please get in touch with us if you know of any areas in need of a tidy-up.

Drainage and flooding reports in Blackhall Colliery

Following significant rainfall earlier this week we received reports of flooding and surface water in two separate locations in Blackhall Colliery, both with a considerable history of similar problems.

We have asked highways and drainage engineers to take a look at flooding behind Hardwick Court and then take whichever measures are necessary to reduce the risk of further flooding.

Surface water earlier this week at Hardwick Court & Fifth Street

We also received reports of surface water outside the main entrance to the Co-op store where highway-planing works were carried out recently to address a problem we've been reporting for some time now (please see post dated Friday 15 January 2016 for background information).

We have asked highways and drainage engineers to call out and carry out further investigations into this persistent problem, and also to consider putting another drain into the roadside which we believe would alleviate surface water gathering at this location. 

We have again told the council of the frustrations of staff and customers, and also of the negative impact highway flooding is having on business at the Co-op. We have also asked for an explanation for the constant delay in finding a solution to this problem.

The highway this morning outside the Co-op in Middle Street

Garden waste collections to resume this month

We have received notification that the council is to resume seasonal garden waste collections later this month. Please see the press release below for further details:

Garden waste collections will start this month in County Durham after a winter break.

Residents who have subscribed to the Durham County Council’s garden waste collection can expect their first collection to take place between Tuesday 15 and Friday 25 March.

This year’s sticker must be fixed to the garden waste bin and, on collection days the bin needs to be put out by 7am.  

As garden waste bin collection days may be different to the rubbish and recycling collections, residents are urged to check their calendars or type their postcode and house number into ‘MyDurham’ at www.durham.gov.uk.

To ensure garden waste can be composted only place grass cuttings, shrubs, leaves, weeds, flowers, bedding plants, hedge clippings, prunes and small branches into the garden waste bins.

Anyone who hasn’t signed up to the garden waste collection can still do so for a fee of £20. Once signed up, collections will start as soon as possible and will run until the season ends for the year in autumn.

For more information or to subscribe to this service, visit www.durham.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 03000 261000.

Working in partnership with Durham County Council, Rotters will be carrying out garden waste bin collections in the Teesdale Area. Residents can find out more by visiting www.rotters.org or calling 01833 690022. 

Boundary Commission to revisit boundary review

Please follow the link below for a recent article from The Journal giving details of the Boundary Commissions review of constituency boundaries


http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-lose-four-mps-10946020#ICID=sharebar_facebook


Please also see post dated 8 March 2012 on this site for details of the previous campaign to keep Blackhall and the other villages in our ward in the Easington constituency.

Access and other issues at Chicken's Green

We have spoken recently to residents who have complained about the general condition of Chicken's Green in Blackhall.

In particular residents have expressed their concerns about flooding or surface water on the pathway which cuts along the green and connects Corry Close with Dene Road.

Surface water on the pathway cutting across Chicken's Green

Residents have told us of their concerns about the gradually decreasing width of the pathway and also about litter, branches and other debris on and around the green itself.

We have asked the drainage engineers at county hall to come out and have a look at the surface water problem and we have also asked the Clean & Green team to clear the litter and branches as soon as possible (and we can confirm that the branches have now been removed).

Residents also have concerns about how narrow the pathway has become

We will update on progress with the other issues as when they are addressed, but in the meantime please let us know if you are aware of any other similar environmental issues in and around the villages of our ward.