Crimdon Visitor Centre Development

We met earlier this week with officers from the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership to get an update on progress with a number of ongoing developments at Crimdon, and primarily on plans to construct a visitor centre as an anchor to attract more visitors to our stretch of the coastline (please see posts dated Wednesday 14 November 2018 and Sunday 24 March 2019 for background details). 

Following concerns expressed recently on social media we also wanted to seek assurances from council officers on a number of maintenance and environmental issues relating to Crimdon Dene.

Last month we were contacted by residents and visitors concerned about access to the dene, along with a number of other issues relating to the condition and maintenance of the walkway through the dene and onto the beach. We are told that some of those issues relate to a legal agreement drawn up many years ago between a local business and the former district council. The complaints we received from residents recently were mainly about the generally poor condition of certain parts of the dene area and officers from the coastal team have assured us they are considering all options available in clarifying responsibilities for the general maintenance of those locations. At the same time we’ve asked them to look at a more effective way of maintaining the pathway and also improving the general appearance of some parts of the dene area. 

To this end arrangements are now being made to bring together the council’s clean and green team, the countryside rangers and the coastal wardens to set out an action plan to tidy up and maintain these areas, and to begin this process we have been assured that sweepers will be deployed to tidy up the pathways through the dene area. We have also asked the council to consider installing replacement litter bins along the front, and in other key sites throughout Crimdon, to rectify the problem of a “vortex effect” in which the high winds draw litter up from the bins and scatter it all over the place. Officers are also seeking ways to improve the pedestrian entrances to Crimdon, both at the Seagull end and also further down the Coast Road at the entrance to Crimdon Dene from the A1086 opposite Evergreen Park.

In addition to the environmental schemes outlined above we are keen to see progress on the construction of the visitor centre, which will include toilets and a cafeteria, to be located at the top of the current row of parking bays along the front at Crimdon. We heard from the heritage coast manager that there had been a number of issues over the past year relating to a site investigation which identified a subterranean problem meaning that the visitor centre would now need different foundations to those in the original design. This meant that the original plans had to be modified to allow for lighter materials (for example the building will now consist of a timber frame) and a slightly reduced footprint relocated closer to the sea front. The findings from the site investigation also inflated the total cost of the scheme beyond the £1.35m that had already been secured.

However, those problems have now been overcome. The additional funding has been secured, the design has been amended and the plans for the building are almost ready to be submitted to the council’s planning office for consideration. The planning process will trigger a statutory period of public consultation during the summer, and all being well we have been told that works ought to begin on site in August this year. 

Although fairly small in scale at this stage the building is constructed in a way which enables  extensions to be added if necessary, and once in place we are hopeful that this coastal hub will become an anchor for further development in the near future. For example the council is working with other local authorities along the coast in a four-year project currently known as Seascape which will stretch from South Shields in the north to Teesside in the south. The Seascape project is intended to promote the culture and heritage of the North East coastal strip and will form the basis of an improved tourist attraction. We hope to have more details on this project as it develops.

In the meantime we are delighted to see things moving ahead at Crimdon, especially with the imminent construction of the visitor centre in the near future. We’re sure you’ll share our enthusiasm with this development and the prospect it holds for an increase in visitor numbers to our part of the coastal strip. We’ll continue to meet regularly with officers from the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership and we’ll keep you up to date with progress as and when we receive further information on these projects.

Police and Communities Together tackle crime

In an article on this blog last month we reported on a number of crimes and anti-social behaviour incidents that took place in the towns and villages in our area prior to the January Blackhall PACT meeting (please see post titled Notes From the Blackhall PACT Meeting - January 2020 for background details). 

Since then Peterlee Police have posted two updates on Facebook:

On Sunday 16 February 2020 Peterlee Police posted on social media that:

Following a spate of burglaries and other crimes in the Peterlee, Horden and Blackhall areas, we have identified a number of persons who are suspected of being responsible.

At present, one has been arrested and charged with various offences including burglary, and investigations are ongoing into further suspects and offences. 

We would like to thank members of the public for information which has lead to this result.

On Friday 21 February 2020 Peterlee Police posted an update:

Further to this post (above) we can now confirm that 5 persons have been arrested and charged, with 4 of these being remanded to court. 

Again many thanks to members of the public for providing information which has lead to this result.

Whilst there is still some way to go in securing justice for the victims of crime it looks likely that this outcome alone will vindicate the approach adopted by the police, their partners and local residents. At the very least it shows that under difficult circumstances the system can work when the police and neighbourhood teams work together with organised communities to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our towns and villages.

Let’s hope the courts and the criminal justice system now play their part in delivering justice for our communities and victims of crime.

Notes from the Blackhall PACT meeting - February 2020

Following its return to a monthly format the latest PACT (Police and Communities Together) meeting was held in Blackhall Resource Centre on Wednesday 19 February 2020. The following is a brief note on the issues raised at the meeting, including updates from previous PACT meetings.

The first thing of note compared to last month's PACT meeting was the significantly reduced turnout and the much more relaxed atmosphere in the meeting room. From past experience this is generally a good sign in that residents' confidence is beginning to return and they no longer feel inclined to come along to the PACT meetings to vent their frustrations.

As usual PCSO Ian Goodwin began the meeting by reading out the reported crime and anti-social behaviour figures for the past month, which were down on those reported the previous month. Again this is normally a good sign, but conversely it could mean that residents are failing to report incidents of crime. Significantly, Ian also reported that a number of arrests had been made in relation to a spate of burglaries carried out in a number of towns and villages across the county last month, including Blackhall Colliery (please see notes for the January PACT meeting for background details).

The reduced turnout this month's PACT meeting would appear to suggest that the police are making inroads and are on the right track for the time being. But given crime and anti-social behaviour trends from previous years there's certainly no room for complacency.

Following a number of questions and reports of local issues from residents I gave an update on progress made on matters raised at the last PACT meeting held in January, including the outcome of meetings held with the neighbourhood police inspector, the parish clerk and representatives from the community safety team, a return to monthly PACT meetings, additional drop-in sessions with police and housing officers and also an increase in the number of neighbourhood wardens employed by the council (please see articles on this site dated Thursday 23 January 2020, Saturday 25 January 2020, Wednesday 29 January 2020, Sunday 2 February 2020 and Sunday 9 February 2020 for comprehensive details of these issues).

As quite a few of the points raised at the meeting were linked to housing issues I gave a brief update on the council's proposed Selective Licensing Scheme which was introduced to the public recently for a 10-week period of consultation (please see posts dated Monday 17 February 2020 and Friday 21 February 2020 for full details, including a venue, time and date for the drop-in session later this month at Blackhall Library for residents to talk to housing officers about the impact of the Scheme). From the many comments we’ve received so far members of the public are overwhelmingly supportive of the Scheme and its potential to tackle a range of problems associated with the private-rented housing sector across much of the county. However, if the Scheme is to receive the required consent from the Secretary of State it’s vital that as many residents and local businesses as possible take part in the consultation exercise.

Finally, following a number of complaints received over many weeks relating to telecom duct works carried out throughout the village by Virgin Media, I gave a brief update on the council's intervention. Most of the concerns expressed by residents were around Virgin Media failing to give prior notice of the works (which they are legally obliged to do) or their staff working extended hours, often late into the night. The council's area network manager has contacted Virgin Media to remind them of their obligations, but beyond that the council's powers to intervene are somewhat restricted. However, if you have any concerns about works carried out by Virgin Media or any other utility company please let me know about it or contact the council direct on 03000 261 000 or at: help@durham.gov.uk 

The date and time of the next PACT meeting will be published by the police in due course. In the meantime if you have any concerns about crime or anti-social behaviour in the area please get in touch with the police or the neighbourhood wardens using the contact details shown below:

Police (non-emergency and local beat team): 101 or peterlee@durham.pnn.police.uk

Police (emergency): 999

Neighbourhood wardens: 03000 261 000 or help@durham.gov.uk or at www.durham.gov.uk (for incidents of anti-social behaviour, bonfires, discarded needles, noise nuisance, environmental issues, litter, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, fly-posting, stray dogs etc)

Crimestoppers (confidential): 0800 555 111

Peterlee Police Website: durham.police.uk

Roadworks in the Blackhall Colliery area

We have been notified of the following road works scheduled to take place in the Blackhall area over the next few weeks:

Road No.	Location	Description	Traffic Management	Start Date	End Date	Responsibility
A1086	Coast Road, Blackhall Rocks	Install telecom ducts	2 way lights (9:30am - 3:30pm)	25 February	25 February	Virgin Media
A1086 / C82	Middle Street, Hesleden Road, Blackhall Colliery	Install telecom ducts	4 way lights (9:00am - 4:30pm)	1 March	1 March	Virgin Media
B1281	Hesleden Road, Blackhall Colliery	Street lighting works	2/3 way rolling lights as required (9:30am - 3:00pm)	24 February	28 February	Durham County Council

Private-rented Housing Scheme Consultation to be held in Blackhall Library

Earlier this week we reported that a 10-week period of public consultation on the county council's proposed Selective Licensing Scheme had started (please see post dated Monday 17 February 2020 for details).

The Selective Licensing Scheme, which will require private sector landlords to hold a license in order to rent out their houses, is intended to hold private rented sector landlords to account for the condition of their properties and also for the behaviour of their tenants. It was an issue we first raised at a PACT meeting back in 2018 following a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour in the village at the time.

The council will be holding a series of drop-in sessions across the county to help residents and businesses to register their comments on the Scheme as part of the consultation exercise. We can confirm that the session for Blackhall will be held at: 

Blackhall Library on Friday 28 February 2020 from 2pm until 4pm

Anyone with an interest in this issue is welcome to come along to meet housing officers who will be able to answer questions about the Scheme and will also be happy to help residents register their comments.

Selective Licensing Scheme consultation begins today

Following the meticulous and time-consuming process of collating all the required data and building up a strong evidence base Durham County Council's cabinet agreed last month to progress the council's Selective Licensing Scheme to the public consultation stage with the intention of establishing the scheme in full later this year, subject to approval by the Secretary of State (please see post dated Thursday 16 January 2020 for background information, including full details of the report submitted to Durham County Council’s cabinet). 

We have now received confirmation that the statutory 10 week period of public consultation will begin today, Monday 17 February 2020. Full details of the process, including a link to the online survey, are reproduced below:

Following Cabinet’s approval, consultation for Selective Licensing will be taking place across the county over the next 10 weeks. Consultation will include drop-ins for local residents and  two landlord consultations as well as staff drop-ins and an online/paper survey.  We will have staff available at drop-ins to assist with the completion of the online survey as well as paper copies being available. 

The online survey can be completed from Monday 17 February 2020 and can be found at:

Consultation on licensing of privately rented homes in some areas of the county

The deadline for comments is 5pm on Monday 27 April 2020.

**Please note the Blackhall drop-in session is to be held later this month and the venue will be confirmed later this week**

Traffic Survey confirmed for Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery

Late last month I asked for a speed survey to be carried out at Broad Road in Blackhall Rocks (please see post dated Thursday 30 January 2020 for details). 

When that request was accepted by the police and details were published on this site I was contacted by residents in Blackhall Colliery concerned about speeding vehicles coming into the village along the A1086 from the Horden side.

I asked highways engineers and the police traffic management office at the time to consider running a speed survey at the top of Middle Street in Blackhall Colliery too. I've now received confirmation that a traffic survey is to be carried out at this location, but I’ve been told there may be a slight delay due to a backlog of requests and existing demand across the county for similar schemes.

Scheduled roadworks in the Blackhall ward

Durham County Council has been notified of the following roadworks scheduled to be carried out in the Blackhall ward over the next few weeks:

Road No.	Location	Description	Traffic Management	Start Date	End Date	Responsibility
A1086	Coast Road, Blackhall Colliery	Install telecom ducts	2 way lights (9:30am - 3:30pm)	20 February	21 February	Virgin Media
A1086	Coast Road, Crimdon	Install telecom ducts	2 way lights (9:30am - 3:30pm)	18 February	19 February	Virgin Media
A1086	Coast Road, Horden to Blackhall Colliery	Street lighting works	2 way lights (9:30am - 3:30pm)	18 February	18 February	Durham County Council
A1086 / C82	Middle Street, Hesleden Road, Blackhall Colliery	Install telecom ducts	4 way lights (9:00am - 4:30pm)	1 March	1 March	Virgin Media

BT Public Payphone in Middle Street

Following an audit of telephone box usage in our area British Telecom has been in touch with the council to ask its opinion on a proposal to remove the one in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery.

Please see their correspondence below which includes details of how you can register your comments about this matter:

There has been a decline in payphone usage as a result of significant changes in communication in the UK.

As part of BT’s Universal Service Obligation it is required to provide adequate coverage of payphones within the area however, BT constantly needs to review payphone usage and on occasions to look to re-align public payphone provision more closely to the reducing demand that still exists. 

It has been identified that a payphone in your area is no longer required and could be removed.  BT has asked Durham County Council to collate any comments regarding the matter and to relay these back to BT for consideration. 

Details of the phone box in question is detailed below:

Reference Number: PRE90/20/00371

Number of Calls in last 12 months - 157

Location of Box: Telephone Box Middle Street Blackhall Colliery

BT offers to Parish Councils and registered charities the facility to adopt a kiosk, taking ownership of the kiosk for just £1 thereby protecting the heritage of the community.

In order to be taken into account, any comments should be made in writing or to the e-mail planning@durham.gov.uk within 28 days.

Telecom Duct works at Blackhall Rocks

Durham County Council has been notified of telecom duct works to be carried out for up to 5 days from 14 February 2020 at the following locations:

Sycamore Avenue, Blackhall Rocks

Temporary Road Closure

The County Council intend to close to vehicular traffic from 14 February 2020 a 15 metre length of Sycamore Avenue that extends northwards from its junction with A1086 Coast Road, Blackhall Rocks.

Lilac Avenue, Blackhall Rocks

Temporary Road Closure

The County Council intend to close to vehicular traffic from 14 February 2020 a 40 metre length of Lilac Avenue that extends northwards from its junction with A1086 Coast Road, Blackhall Rocks .

Elm Avenue, Blackhall Rocks

Temporary Road Closure

The County Council intend to close to vehicular traffic from 14 February 2020 a 60 metre length of Elm Avenue that extends northwards from its junction with A1086 Coast Road, Blackhall Rocks.

All affected residents will be informed by letter in advance of works commencing.

Police & Community Safety Team to lead Multi-Agency Initiatives

We met last week with inspectors from Durham constabulary, along with senior officers from the county community safety team and the parish clerk. We had arranged the meeting to discuss ways of embedding a joined-up way of dealing with residents’ concerns expressed at the January PACT meeting, and also to look at how we could develop improved methods of communication between our residents, the police and other community safety agencies (please see posts dated Thursday 23 January 2020, Saturday 25 January 2020, Wednesday 29 January 2020 and Sunday 2 February 2020 for full background details).

In advance of the meeting police officers had already acceded to our request to return PACT meetings to their original monthly format (some time ago the number of meetings had been cut to alternate months as reports of crime and anti-social behaviour diminished, in turn reducing attendance at monthly meetings to just a handful of regulars). In addition, the police had also agreed to our request to establish regular drop-in sessions where residents will be able to meet on an individual basis with police officers to talk about any police-related concerns they have about their community. These pre-booked sessions will be additional to monthly PACT meetings and can be held either at the Resource Centre or in the homes of individual residents.

Following some of the issues raised at the January PACT meeting we asked whether meetings in future could include senior officers who might be better able to respond to questions about operational and technical matters. The police have agreed that this could be arranged, but only if those officers were available and not otherwise engaged in policing operations.

We also suggested that officer-level meetings could be held as and when required to establish a quicker and more joined-up response to local concerns as and when they arise. It makes sense that a much more efficient and effective reaction to residents’ concerns can be put in place if essential officers from the neighbourhood policing team, the council’s private-sector housing office and neighbourhood wardens were able to get together at short notice and on an ad-hoc basis. This initiative was agreed and the group will be convened as soon as possible to determine its scope and terms of reference.

At the meeting we talked about the poor condition of some of the former colliery-owned properties in the village, and also about the unacceptable reaction of some private sector landlords when concerns are expressed about the conduct of their tenants. It was recognised that at the moment the authorities have only very limited powers and are severely curtailed in the way they are able to deal with these landlords, many of them from other parts of the country and most completely indifferent to the impact their properties and some of their tenants are having on our community. At this point we referred to the county council’s proposed Selective Licensing Scheme and how it is intended to put right those issues described above. A period of statutory public consultation on the Scheme is scheduled to take place this month and will give residents and businesses the opportunity to offer their views on the proposals. Full details can be found in the post on this site dated Thursday 16 January 2020.

The police acknowledged that their ability to respond to all types of crime has become significantly impacted over the years. They didn’t use the usual excuse of drastically reduced numbers of police officers - although this is undoubtedly a major factor given there are 23,000 fewer police officers today than there were in 2010. Instead they drew attention to their evolving role as police officers, part of which includes dealing regularly with incidents that were once the domain of other public services, the obvious example being social workers. The increased demand on police officers who would otherwise be engaged in tackling crime is of course completely unacceptable, but we have to accept that it’s just about unavoidable given the devastating impact a decade of government austerity continues to have on our public services, and consequently on our residents and their communities too.

Despite the current circumstances the police have emphasised the importance of reporting every incident of crime and anti-social behaviour to the relevant authorities:

Police (non-emergency and local beat team): 101 or peterlee@durham.pnn.police.uk

Police (emergency): 999

Neighbourhood wardens: 03000 261 000 or help@durham.gov.uk or at www.durham.gov.uk (for incidents of anti-social behaviour, bonfires, discarded needles, noise nuisance, environmental issues, litter, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, fly-posting, stray dogs etc)

Crimestoppers (confidential): 0800 555 111

Peterlee Police Website: durham.police.uk

To finish on a positive note, as we were following up on developments from last week’s meeting, we were told that the county council is in the process of employing an additional eleven neighbourhood wardens to tackle increasing incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour across the county. 

We will continue to update on progress as initiatives take shape and develop.

Ongoing Telecom Duct Works

Durham County Council has received notification of ongoing telecom duct works in Blackhall Colliery and further works scheduled to take place on the A1086 at Crimdon later this month:

Road No.	Location	Description	Traffic Management	Start Date	End Date	Responsibility
A1086	Coast Road, Crimdon	Install telecom ducts	2 way lights (9:30am - 3:30pm)	18 February	19 February	Virgin Media
A1086	Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery	Install telecom ducts	2 way lights (8:00am - 5:00pm), Sundays only	26 January	9 February	Virgin Media