Thursday 29 November 2018

Faulty Streetlights at Aspatria Avenue

Following contact from residents a couple of weeks ago we reported faulty streetlights at Aspatria Avenue/First Street on Friday 16 November (Ref. No: FS: 3224 1062).


We were particularly concerned about this because the back lane was completely blacked out so we have continually pressed over the past two weeks for repair or maintenance works to be carried out.

We asked this morning for an update and we have received the following information from the service:

"I have spoken to street lighting this morning who have explained there has been worked carried out in the area by contractors and also Northern Power Grid (NPG). However the lights are still not working.

"Further to my previous email, I have now spoken with John Dent. John has explained Balfour Beatty are working on the faults. John is hopeful the lights will be working by Friday evening.

"John has explained this issue is going to happen in other areas of Blackhall as the power lines are being replaced. DCC are working with Balfour Beatty and NPG to be as reactive as they can to the issues".

We've asked for regular updates to help us monitor work on this matter. We'll continue press for urgency in carrying out repairs.

Wednesday 14 November 2018

Progress on plans for new public facilities at Crimdon

Earlier this year we published a couple of articles on this site about the council's plans to regenerate Crimdon, including details of a scheme to build new public facilities. Specifically we mentioned a funding bid that the council was putting together to submit to the Coastal Communities Fund (please see posts dated Monday 19 March 2018 and Thursday 26 April 2018 for full details).


Yesterday we received confirmation from the Heritage Coast Partnership that the funding bid has cleared the first hurdle:

Following the initial Heritage Coast Partnership funding application to Coastal Communities Fund Round 5 for facilities at Crimdon, the Partnership have been invited to submit a full second round business plan.

The facilities include for toilets, a café, volunteer and interpretation space. The deadline for submission is 21st January with the results known by the end of March 2019.

The partnership will now finalise a business plan to be submitted to the Coastal Communities Fund in the new year. We will keep you up to date with developments on this scheme as and when we receive further information.

Friday 9 November 2018

Revised Traffic Management Report for the B1281 at Castle Eden

Earlier this year we contacted Durham Police and Durham County Council (DCC) to express again our continuing concerns about speeding vehicles on the B1281 as it passes through Castle Eden, especially the section between Hallow Hill and the Hesleden junction at Gray Avenue. This followed similar concerns raised by local residents at a PACT meeting in Blackhall Colliery and also by members of the local residents' association. We have also raised our concerns with the relevant agencies on a number of occasions in the past (please see posts dated Wednesday 6 January 2016, Saturday 6 February 2016 & Friday 23 March 2018 for the main background details).


It is generally acknowledged that there are limited statutory options available to the police and the council to adopt physical measures to slow traffic at this location so we asked that a traffic management report from 2014 be reviewed to factor-in the risks associated with the more recent concerns as expressed above. Consequently traffic management officers form DCC and the police have now issued an updated version of the management document. While most of the report remains unaltered there are certain measures which are recommended for implementation.

Please follow the link below for the revised document:

Sunday 4 November 2018

Open Day at Blackhall Library


Please note below a copy of a poster giving details of an open day event to be held in Blackhall Library later this month:
 
 

Friday 2 November 2018

Railway bridge inspection works this weekend at Blackhall Rocks

We have received notification of a temporary road closure at Station Road, Blackhall Rocks this weekend to allow for Network Rail to carry out bridge inspection works:
 

C81

Station Road, Blackhall Rocks

Railway bridge inspection

Road closure (8:00am - 3:00pm)

11 November

11 November

Network Rail

 
C81 Station Road, Blackhall Rocks
Temporary Road Closure

The County Council intend to close to vehicular traffic including pedal and motorcycles, excluding access for emergency service vehicles, from 8.00 am on Sunday 11 November 2018 a 30 metre length of Station Road from The Hawthorns, 25 Station Road to the embankment at eastern side of railway bridge.

The closure, which is being effected by means of Notice under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, is necessary to enable a railway bridge examination to be undertaken, and will probably take 1 day (8.00am-3.00pm) to complete to be carried out to that length of road.

No alternative diversion route is available for this closure.

Wednesday 31 October 2018

Funding available to communities for National Tree Week

We have received information about how community groups, parish councils, schools and individuals can apply for funding to plant trees in their local areas.

 
Grants of up to £150 are available for community groups, parish councils, schools and individuals to make their area greener.

Applicants have until Friday 16 November to apply for the funding as part of celebrations for National Tree Week, which takes place between Saturday 24 November and Sunday 2 December.

To mark the UK’s largest annual tree festival, Durham County Council is offering grants for tree planting projects across the county in all forms, from planting fruit trees and commemorative areas, to hedgerow trees and small coppices.
 
Durham County Council has taken part in National Tree Week since 1979 and over the past three years has planted almost four thousand trees as part of the campaign.

Steve Bhowmick, Durham County Council’s environment and design manager, said, “National Tree Week marks the start of the winter tree planting season and is the perfect time for communities to get their hands dirty and do something positive for their local environment. Trees have many benefits, not just improving areas aesthetically but creating habitats for wildlife, helping to prevent flooding, cleaning our polluted air and much more. I’m really looking forward to seeing what this year’s successful applicants have planned for their areas.”

Grants will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so people are encouraged to apply early. Applications cannot be accepted for planting on land immediately surrounding a residential building and whilst projects on private land such as farmland will be considered, they must be visible from a public right of way or road.

Application forms must arrive no later than Friday 16 November 2018 and can be requested by email from landscape@durham.gov.uk or by telephoning on 03000 267 133.

Thursday 25 October 2018

Arrangements for Remembrance Sunday

Services will be held throughout the country on Sunday 11 November when we take the opportunity to honour the sacrifice made by many in defence of our country during two world wars and other conflicts over the years.


We will be laying wreaths on behalf of Durham County Council and the people of our communities at the Memorial in Blackhall Colliery Welfare Park and at the War Memorial in Hesleden.


Following the traditional service of remembrance wreaths will be laid in Blackhall Colliery on behalf of:
  • Durham County Council
  • Monk Hesleden Parish Council
  • Ex-Services Associations, including Blackhall Navy Club & Blackhall RAFA
  • Blackhall Air Training Corps
  • Blackhall Youth Group
  • Wellfield School
  • St Andrew's Church
There will also be an opportunity for members of the public to mark their private respects.

As in previous years we have provided funding for a buffet to be made available in Blackhall Cricket Club immediately following the service. Everyone is welcome so please come along and join us.

Friday 19 October 2018

Resurfacing works at Monk Hesleden rescheduled for next month

Earlier this year works scheduled to resurface a section of the unclassified road between Monk Hesleden and High Hesleden were deferred to a later date (please see posts dated Friday 25 May 2018 & Thursday 31 May 2018 for background information).


We have now received notification of a temporary traffic regulation order confirming that the works have been rescheduled to take place over three days next month, beginning on Sunday 4 November 2018. Advisory road signs have been put in place over the past few days.

Please note that these works will affect a 0.5km section of unclassified highway from Monk Hesleden to a point just to the north of the Haswell to Hart walkway.

It is expected that notification letters giving full details of the works will be sent to all residents in affected areas next week. In the meantime we have reproduced below some preliminary details supplied by the assistant highways engineer:

Just a quick email to let you know that the re-surfacing works which were postponed earlier in the year have now been programmed for the 4th, 5th, & 6th November 2018 subject to any adverse weather. Advance notification signs will be going up on site shortly and the timing of the works have been agreed with the farm. Letters will go out to residents approximately 5-7 days before the start of the works. Wherever possible the works will not start until 9am each day to allow residents to leave for work/school etc.

Saturday 13 October 2018

Inspection works at Crimdon Viaduct this weekend

We have received a reminder that the access road to Crimdon Dene Holiday Park will be closed tomorrow to allow Network Rail to carry out bridge inspection works:


Unclassified 29.3

Road leading to Crimdon Dene Holiday Park, Blackhall Colliery

Bridge inspection

Road closure (8.00am - 3.00pm)

14 October

14 October

Network Rail

Thursday 11 October 2018

A Selective Licensing Scheme for County Durham moves a step closer

Earlier this year at a Blackhall PACT meeting we called on housing officers at Durham County Council (DCC) to consider a range of measures, including the introduction of a Selective Licensing Scheme, to help address a number of local issues related to private sector housing in the village (please see posts dated Friday 23 February & Friday 23 March 2018 for additional details).


Next week DCC's Cabinet will consider options in implementing a Selective Licensing Scheme to cover the entire county. Please see further details in the press release published below:

Selective licensing opportunities being exploredTitle

Opportunities for changing the way in which selective licensing is implemented are being explored by councillors next week.
On Wednesday, 17 October Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals to prepare a business case that would seek permission from the government to change the way in which selective licensing operates in County Durham.

The proposals will be for countywide implementation as the council recognises that some landlords operate throughout the county and not just in one designated area.

The number of privately rented properties in County Durham continues to rise and countywide selective licensing would give the council the power to regulate landlords and managing agents with the aim to increase standards and improve the management of privately rented properties.

The scheme would benefit all communities by increasing housing demand and reducing antisocial behaviour in areas where it is problematic, making safer, more desirable places to live. This could mean there would be a reduction in environmental costs and the costs of crime, such as street cleaning and tackling fly tipping.

There have already been three successful selective licensing designations in County Durham, these included Dean Bank in Ferryhill, Chilton West and Wembley in Easington Colliery which is due to end in June 2019.

At the moment the council already works closely with landlords that are registered with the voluntary landlord accreditation scheme and in future a discount could be offered on selective licensing fees to landlords already registered.

For landlords the scheme means that help and support is available to deal with problem tenants, access to a tenant referencing scheme that helps them vet prospective tenants is available, as well as access to an abundance of information and advice that aims to help people become better landlords.

Cllr Kevin Shaw, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: “We have some excellent private landlords who we work with very closely but we have a large number of absent and irresponsible landlords who cause significant problems with poorly managed and maintained accommodation. This impacts upon its residents, our communities, and both our and our partner services. 

“The real practical problem we face in seeking to resolve this is we don’t know where all of these properties all are, we don’t know who the landlords are, and we can’t oversee any required and effective improvement without the necessary intelligence. This is why we are proposing a countywide selective licensing scheme.”
Selective licensing is already supported by Ron Hogg the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for Durham, as well as by Phil Wilson MP who is currently taking a private members bill through parliament, seeking mandatory registration of landlords within the privately rented sector.

Ron Hogg, said: “Not knowing who owns a property can be a real barrier to police as they try to identify offenders. This proposal would make identification much easier, so it has the potential to make a significant inroad to levels of crime and anti-social behaviour across County Durham. I welcome it wholeheartedly.”

If approved a business case will be developed and reported to Cabinet in a future meeting prior to submission to government which have the final say on any countywide scheme.  

If you are a landlord and are interested in signing up for the voluntary private landlord accreditation scheme, visit http://www.durham.gov.uk/privatelandlords for more information.

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Hardwick Street highway resurfacing works to go ahead later this month

Last month we reported that resurfacing works scheduled to take place in Hardwick Street, Blackhall Colliery had been postponed (please see posts dated Tuesday 28 August and Tuesday 4 September 2018 for background details).


We have now received confirmation that works have been rescheduled to take place over a five week period beginning Monday 22 October. Advisory letters will be distributed to residents in affected properties either later this week or early next.

We have also asked for clarification on the timing and extent of the works, and for additional information about refuse collections and on street parking for residents during this period.

We have received the following comments from the highways engineer in response:

Regarding the above, the works are currently programmed to start on site on 22nd October, the construction manager will be delivering notification letters and displaying the road closure notices on site either later this week or early next week, the work should be carried out in short sections to reduce the disruption to residents and to keep the closed section of road as short as possible at any one time.

Previously on schemes such as this the site operatives have assisted residents with refuse collection etc. and I’m sure this will be the case on this job, mail delivery should not be affected as the post man should still be able to access the street on foot and any delivery drivers should still be able to get relatively close to properties depending upon the location of the closure, as there will only be short sections of the road closed residents should still be
able to park within the street, as is the case wherever we work we will try to keep disruption to a minimum for the residents.

Monday 1 October 2018

Temporary Road Closure, Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery

Last week we published details of road works scheduled to take place on two consecutive Saturdays this month to resurface Middle Street in Blackhall Colliery (please see post dated Friday 28 September 2018 for details).


We have now received details of traffic diversions which will be in place during both phases of works:

The diversion which will be in place will divert all traffic as below:

A1086 Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery Temporary Road Closure

An Order is being made under the provisions of Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which will be to close to vehicular traffic, except for access for emergency service vehicles, between 7am and 7pm on the weekends of 6th-7th October 2018 and 13th-14th October 2018 a 360 metre length of Middle Street in two phases, from Blackhall Rafa Club and junction of First Street to The Hardwick Hotel (phase 1 – 170 metres), and from The Hardwick Hotel to the junction with Eighth Street (phase 2 – 190 metres).

The closure is necessary to enable carriageway resurfacing works to be undertaken.

Throughout the period of closure, an alternative route will be available to vehicular traffic from the northern point of the closure on A1086 Coast Road, then in a general westerly direction on B1320 Yoden Way, continuing onto Burnhope Way, then south on A19, then east on B1281, then north west on A1086 Coast Road to southern point of closure, and vice versa.

Locals will obviously know ways around the closure to get from one end of the village to the other.

The first phase will see the road closed between the Co-op and the Hardwick PH, the second phase will see the road closed between the Hardwick PH and the Primary School.

Friday 28 September 2018

Highway resurfacing works in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery

We have received confirmation that Middle Street in Blackhall Colliery is to be closed on separate Saturdays next month to allow for highway resurfacing works to be carried out:


A1086
Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery
Carriageway resurfacing
Road closure (7:00am - 7:00pm, Saturdays only)
6 October
13 October
Durham County Council

Crimdon access road closure scheduled for next month

We have received notification that road access to Crimdon Dene Holiday Park from the A1086 Coast Road is to be closed on Sunday 14 October 2018 to allow for railway bridge safety assessment works to be carried out.


Please note full details below:

Unclassified Northern Access Road to Crimdon Dene Holiday Park, Crimdon
Temporary Road Closure
The County Council intend to close to vehicular traffic, excluding access by emergency service vehicles, from 8.00am on Sunday 14 October 2018 a 62 metre length of the unclassified northern access road to Crimdon Dene Holiday Park from the junction with A1086 Coast Road to just beyond the railway bridge.

The closure, which is being effected by means of Notice under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, is necessary to enable safety examination of railway bridge structure works and will probably take 1 day (between 8am-3pm) to complete to be carried out to that length of road.

Throughout the period of closure no diversion will be required.

Friday 21 September 2018

Weather-related issues in the Blackhalls Ward

As you will no doubt be aware the weather conditions last night were a bit lively, with rain and strong winds lashing our villages for most of the night. This resulted in some of the villages in our area losing electricity supplies overnight. Most of the homes in the Colliery streets had power back by 5.30 am but some parts of our villages remained in the dark.

For power/electricity queries please go to: http://www.northernpowergrid.com/

Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery after heavy rainfall on a previous occasion

Today of course is also our bin collection day. As usual many households put their bins out last night, perhaps not expecting the winds to be so strong. Unfortunately some of those bins have blown over and litter and debris has been left strewn along some of our streets.

We have submitted a request for the streets to be cleared as soon as possible after the bins have been collected. For information the CRM serial number, which enables you to check progress online is: FS-Case-30863344. However, there is sure to be considerable weather-related damage across the whole county so please allow time for the clean and green team to get around to clearing our streets.

Any additional concerns about litter, missed bins and other council-related matters should be directed through the council's website at: http://www.durham.gov.uk/recycling 

Thursday 20 September 2018

Measures taken to control dust from the Hesleden pit heap operation

Following complaints from residents in Hesleden about dust blowing around the village recently, causing a considerable nuisance, we contacted the site manager and received the following statement:


At this time we can only apologise, due to the extraordinary high winds site operations were ceased today (Wednesday) but they continued with water and dust suppression agents. We have ordered some stockpile netting as another measure.

We are in continual contact with Mike Tweddle at the Council and site operations will not commence unless conditions are deemed satisfactory to do so.


Site are continually monitoring the situation and doing everything they can to try to limit any further problems during these extreme conditions.

We will keep you informed of any further updates or progress.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep all lines of communication open.

Sunday 16 September 2018

Road-works scheduled to take place in the Blackhall area

We have been notified of the following road-works scheduled to take place in the Blackhalls Division of Durham County Council over the next few weeks:


A1086

Coast Road, Blackhall Rocks

Street lighting works

2 way lights (9:00am - 3:30pm)

25 September

25 September

Durham County Council

A1086
Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery
Carriageway resurfacing
Road closure (7:00am - 7:00pm, Saturdays only)
6 October
13 October
Durham County Council


A179 / B1280
A19 Sheraton interchange
Junction improvements
Phased traffic lights, lane restrictions and turning restrictions
24 September 2018
April 2019
Durham County Council


A179 / B1280

A19 Sheraton interchange

Sign installation

2 way lights (9:00am - 3:30pm)

17 September

17 September

Durham County Council


And those scheduled to take place in the neighbouring Horden Division which may have an impact on residents from our villages:


A1086

Coast Road, Horden

Street lighting works

2 way lights (7:00am - 2:00pm), manual control

16 September

16 September

Durham County Council

A1086

Coast Road, Horden

Street lighting works

2 way rolling lights (9:30am - 3:00pm)

25 September

27 September

Durham County Council

A1086 / B1320
Coast Road / Yoden Way, Horden
Aldi development - new electric supply
2/3 way lights as required (manual control at peak times)
22 September
30 September
Northern Powergrid