Tighter indoor mixing restrictions scheduled for the North East from Wednesday

The government, through its Department of Health and Social Care, has issued a press release regarding the tightening of restrictions due to come into force on Wednesday 30 September in Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham. I’ve published the government’s press release below in full:

INDOOR INTER-HOUSEHOLD MIXING RESTRICTED IN PARTS OF THE NORTH EAST 

• Measures will be brought into law restricting inter-household mixing in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants in Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland
• Incidence rates over 100 per 100,000 in six of the seven areas last week
• Package of financial support being agreed to tackle rising infection rates in these areas and support the latest measures

 

In close discussions with local leaders, the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE) and the Chief Medical Officer for England have agreed to strengthen local measures in parts of the North East.

Current guidance in several areas of the North East advises residents not to mix with people outside their household or bubble in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants. 

In response to high and increasing infection rates, this guidance will now be enforceable by law and subject to fines from 00:01 Wednesday 30th September. The rules will apply to seven areas: Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.

Covid secure schools and workplaces are not affected by this update.

Alongside this, a funding package is being agreed with councils to support the measures and tackle the rising infection rate, with further details to be confirmed.

The changes are in addition to existing regulations prohibiting household mixing in private homes and gardens, and have been agreed in response to high and increasing infection rates in these areas, with incidence rates over 100 per 100,000 in six of the seven areas last week.

PHE, the JBC and NHS Test and Trace constantly monitor the levels of infection and other data on prevalence of the virus across the country.

Discussions are continuing with local leaders in Merseyside to establish whether additional measures may be necessary there and, as has always been the case, all measures are kept under constant review.

As announced last week, childcare bubbles will be able to form in areas of intervention to allow families to share caring responsibilities with another household, as long as they are consistent. This includes formal and informal childcare arrangements. People in support bubbles in these areas can also continue to meet in any setting.

Damaged chicane at High Hesleden

The chicane signage at the approach to The Bungalows in High Hesleden, damaged yesterday in what has been reported as a single vehicle collision, has been referred to the council for replacement or repair.

PLEASE NOTE: Works to replace the signage on the chicane at the opposite approach to the village, damaged in a separate but similar incident in July, has been unavoidably held up because of delays in the supply chain during the lockdown period (please see post dated Sunday 19 July 2020 for background details of this incident). Supplies are reported to be returning to normal so replacement signage will be installed as soon as possible.

Footpath works at Mickle Hill Road due to start next week

Earlier this year I published an article confirming that repair works were scheduled to take place to the footpath along Mickle Hill Road between Blackhall Rocks and High Hesleden and also along the footpath on the A1086 Coast Road between Blackhall Rocks and Crimdon (please see posts dated Tuesday 26 June 2020 and Thursday 2 July 2020 for details).

I have now recived confirmation that the first phase of those works at Mickle Hill Road are due to begin next week:

C81

Mickle Hill Road

Footpath works

2 way lights (7:30am - 3:30pm)

1 October

2 October

Durham County Council

Road safety issues on the A1086 Coast Road at Crimdon

I was contacted recently by residents at Evergreen Park in Crimdon concerned about speed limits on the A1086 Coast Road at Crimdon Dene. Residents also expressed concerns about potentially dangerous road markings at the entrance to Evergreen Park from the Coast Road.

I contacted the highways office at county hall and the police traffic management office to raise the concerns of residents and also to ask for their comments and advice on ways to address those concerns. In response the highways office has confirmed that an additional traffic survey will be carried out at this location when traffic volumes return to normal at the end of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. This suggestion is consistent with responses to similar requests for traffic surveys further along the A1086 at Blackhall Colliery and Blackhall Rocks (please see post dated Wednesday 5 August 2020 for background details).

The council's highways office received a second response earlier this week from the police traffic management office and I’ve reproduced it below in full:

I believe we have discussed changes to the road markings before and seem to recall it was concluded that due to the close proximity of the Crimdon junction it would be difficult to change the layout. But I’ll leave that to your expertise to explain.

 

I also recall that the speed limit has been fully reviewed on more than one occasion with the last formal review being in 2014 at Robs request. At that time we advised that in line with guidance on setting speed limits, while taking into consideration local views, the derestricted speed limit was appropriate and a lower limit would lack any credibility with around 57% of all vehicles falling within Police enforcement thresholds . Since the review I don’t believe there has been any significant changes in the area and the accident record, other than one injury accident in the last 3 years, but at the County Boundary south of Evergreen Park, does not show an increase in accidents. My view remains that the current speed limit is appropriate but as always happy to reconsider on receipt of any new speed data. As the setting of speed limit ultimately rests with DCC as Highway Authority perhaps you can confirm the official DCC position.

 

If there is a requirement for anything from a Police perspective then please don’t hesitate to get back to me.

My personal view is that residents’ requests for improved road markings on the A1086 at the entrance to Evergreen Park warrant further attention so I've asked the highways office to consider amending existing markings at this location where possible. With regard to the proposed traffic survey on the A1086 at Crimdon Dene I think it makes sense to follow officers’ advice to wait until traffic flows and volumes return to normal after restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic are lifted in full. Only under typical day-to-day conditions can the potential risks be properly monitored and assessed.

I’ll report on progress with the issues raised here as soon as I receive additional information from the highways office and the police traffic management office.

UPDATE (received from the highways office, 19 October 2020):

A few years ago a report was prepared covering the request for a reduced speed limit on the A1086 Coast Road south of Sawmill Ave / Dene Mouth Caravan Park at Crimdon.  This report concluded that the national speed limit remained the appropriate speed limit for this section of road.

Following your recent emails, I have taken the time to look at this afresh and fully consider the request.

When considering the change to an existing speed limit, the Council follows guidance issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) and our own considerable local experience of implementing speed limits within the County.  We also work closely with Durham Constabulary when considering changes to speed limits as ultimately, the Police are required to enforce speed limits.

It is an intention of the DfT guidance to ensure that speed limits are credible with the aim that they become self-evident and enforcing by virtue of their surroundings.  During the review process many criteria and factors are considered and evaluated.  The existing vehicle speeds, nature of the road and its surroundings, existing highway infrastructure, development, highway signs, road markings and street lighting, the various road users, the credibility of the speed limit and accident history are some of these factors being considered.  The length of speed limit, distance between speed limit terminal points and the number of changes along the route are also considered.

Accident Data

When considering the personal injury accident history on a road, it is standard practice that we look at the previous three full years plus the current year.  (The current year’s data is usually up to two months behind due to ongoing investigations and verifications).  This time period provides a good indication of issues on a particular road and is generally reflective of current traffic conditions.  Given that the current year has almost wholly been different due to the Covid19 pandemic, I have considered the previous four full years plus the current.

The recorded personal injury accident data reveals only 1 incident.  This occurred on 4^th August 2019 at 1:02pm when a motorist travelling south near to the County boundary attempted to overtake a vehicle and collided with a vehicle travelling north.  The occupants of the vehicle attempting the overtake then left the scene.  This action would suggest that there was a criminal element associated with the incident.

It may also help for us to explain that Highway and Police Authorities use the personal injury accident database for assessment, investigation and comparison purposes as there is not a quantifiable or reliable means of reviewing ‘damage only’ incidents.  Damage only incidents are generally dealt with by an exchange of insurance details between drivers without a third party providing a reliable investigation of the circumstances.  Additionally, the DfT and Government require Police Forces to record all personal injury incidents in a standard format which gives us a lot of detail about the accident and also information relating to the causations of the accident – this detailed investigative information is not available in relation to damage only incidents.  Therefore, this database is essential to enable us to analyse the mechanics of the accidents (why and how they happened) to determine the most appropriate solutions.

Speed Data

Unfortunately, the speed survey data is out of date and the changes to traffic patterns during the Covid19 pandemic has prevented us from undertaking new traffic surveys.  We are therefore only able to reflect upon the data gained from previous surveys.

The survey data gave an average speed of traffic as 47mph and an 85^th percentile speed of 55mph.  The 85^th percentile speed is a factor used to reflect the speed at which motorists are considering as a safe and appropriate speed to travel by interpreting the road environment.  It is the speed below which 85% of traffic travels.

The data showed that 95% of motorists were driving in obeyance with the speed limit.  However, 5% of motorists were travelling above the speed limit although few were travelling at a speed where the Police may consider taking action.

The data from the surveys was consistent with older data and indicated an excellent compliance with the speed limit.  This would indicate that the existing speed limit is credible.

In the case of rural roads where there is limited short lengths or sporadic frontage property development, it is not unexpected that the speed limit is set to the national speed limit.  While there are occasions on a route where achieving the posted speed limit is not physically possible by a motorist, it has to be remembered that speed limits are not there to be achieved or beaten but are there as a maximum limit to travel at.  Any responsible driver should still be driving at an appropriate speed for the prevailing circumstances and where roads do become narrow, have bends or junctions, then a responsible driver should reduce their speed and drive according to the circumstances.  Unfortunately, there will always be a minority of motorists who drive at inappropriate speeds irrespective of the speed limit or prevailing conditions.

Understandably, people often suggest a reduction in speed limit will improve road safety however the correlation of vehicle speeds and speed limits is a very complex issue.  As is often the case, a speed limit which lacks credibility results in a significant proportion of motorists ignoring the limit and potentially driving at even higher speeds.  This can lead to greater risk taking and / or misperceptions of other motorists’ speeds.  In addition, the imposition of non-credible lower limits can raise expectations that the speeds of vehicles will suddenly reduce but this is seldom being achieved in practice, thus creating further annoyance, and also unfeasible demands of the police who have to enforce the speed limits.

Evergreen Junction

Currently there is a protected right turn for the Crimdon Dene road which has the predominant right turn movement.  As the entrance to the Evergreen site is a private access, directly opposite the Crimdon Dene road and has a lesser flow, it would not be possible to incorporate a right turn pocket for Evergreen.  The length of central hatching on the north side of the junction is around 100m and the width of a typical vehicle for at least 40m.  It is permitted for a motorist to pull onto this area if it is safe to do so.  However, the access arrangement prevents a right turn to Evergreen from being created as it will be in conflict with that for the prominent side road.

We have provided warning signs for the junctions and the advance direction signs for the junction include a stub to represent the Evergreen access.  It is not given more prominence on the sign as it is a private access.

It was previously suggested that double white lines should be provided however, there are strict criteria controlling the use of this marking.  Unfortunately, this location does not meet the criteria for the provision of double white lines.

Conclusion

After careful consideration of all the information in conjunction with the national criteria for the assessment of speed limits and also taking on board the local views, from the data and looking at the road environment, there is no justification to change the speed limit from the current posted national speed limit.

It is appreciated that this may not be what some people were hoping for, but a speed limit should be self-evident and self-enforcing by virtue of the environment through which the road passes.  In the case of the A1086 at this location, the assessment confirms that it is a rural road for which the national speed limit is credible.

Welfare Crescent garages earmarked for demolition

Last week I published an article about the poor and potentially dangerous condition of some of the garages on the Welfare Crescent garage site which has caused concerns about children and young people gathering in the empty garages (please see post dated Sunday 20 September 2020 for background details).

I raised the concerns of residents with officers at believe housing who own and manage the site and I have now received an update from them confirming that the garages are scheduled to be demolished. The believe housing response is reproduced below:

I can confirm that the garage site is currently owned by believe housing and has been earmarked for demolition. I’ve spoke with our neighbourhoods team who are in the process of getting the demolition brought forward to the near future as they keep boarding the garages up only for the boards to be removed (as illustrated in your photos).

In addition I’ve contacted the neighbourhood police and DCC wardens to request their focus on this location for a while to reassure residents nearby and also to ensure where possible the safety of children and young people gathering at the site. I received an assurance from both the police and wardens that an increased number of patrols will be carried out in this area over the coming period.

Finally I have been advised by believe housing officers that anyone with an interest in renting a garage in the Blackhall area should contact them to discuss their requirements. You can get in touch at: hello@believehousing.co.uk or http://www.believehousing.co.uk or by phone at 0300 131 1999

Private-rented housing improvement scheme progress

Last week I published an article on these pages setting out the latest stage of the council’s Selective Licensing Scheme process which would see the proposals put before the council’s Cabinet for consideration (please see post dated Monday 14 September 2020 for background details and links to the Cabinet report papers). 

That stage was completed last Wednesday morning when Cabinet endorsed the proposal. The council has now issued a press release setting out the final stage of the process in which the council’s proposal will be submitted to the Secretary of State for a final decision on whether or not the scheme should proceed. I’ve published the press release below in full: 

An initiative which aims to improve communities in County Durham by raising housing standards and management in the private renting sector has received backing by senior council members and two MPs. 

Our proposals to introduce a selective licensing scheme in areas of the county has been discussed and approved at Cabinet yesterday, Wednesday 16 September. 

The scheme will set a good quality and fair standard for private rental properties in these areas and will help create long term, sustainable neighbourhoods by ensuring that any privately rented property is in good condition and well-managed, thereby protecting the interests of landlords, tenants, and communities. 

The proposed scheme will cover approximately 30,000 houses which is 42 per cent of the county's private rented sector. 

County Durham Housing Strategy

Selective licencing is one of the key priorities of the adopted County Durham Housing Strategy 2019 to 2024, which aims to maintain and improve standards across the county's housing stock and put people and communities first. 

This includes ensuring the right homes are built in the right areas to meet the needs of residents, improving quality of housing through schemes such as selective licensing, and continuing to invest in existing stock through projects such as improving the energy efficiency of properties. 

The scheme will make a significant contribution to a wider strategy of regenerating the county's towns and villages by improving both housing conditions and access to quality housing. 

Addressing anti-social behaviour 

The introduction of the selective licensing scheme will also resolve a growing concern over a significant increase in private sector properties. While most properties are well-run and are kept at a high quality, the sector's increase has also attracted landlords who do not meet the minimum standards in either the condition of the property or management of their tenants. 

This has resulted in many communities and residents across the county being affected by increased levels of anti-social behaviour, criminality, fly-tipping and tenants living in sub-standard, unhealthy properties. 

Improving housing and places 

Cllr Kevin Shaw, our cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: "Selective licensing is a key objective of the County Durham Housing Strategy and will provide a regulatory framework for proactive monitoring of the private rented sector, allowing us to better support the good landlords. Working closely alongside our partners from police and fire and rescue, who are also stakeholders, will help us identify those who are bad landlords and where we may need to intervene at the earliest opportunity. 

"This scheme will provide us with yet another tool to use in our continued work on improving our county's housing and places. Good quality housing is vital in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our residents and improving social cohesion in our neighbourhoods is important for everyone. 

"A recent government review identified that selective licencing is a good mechanism for resolving many of the problems associated with poor landlord or poor tenancy management, bringing confidence and stability back to areas that have been affected and making them once again places where people want to live. 

"We have worked on this for some considerable time and have carried out meaningful consultation which has helped shape our submission, which we have now formally approved at cabinet." 

MP support 

As well as yesterday's approval from cabinet, the scheme has received backing from Easington MP Grahame Morris who, in a letter, said: "I have been concerned for some time about the influx of absentee private landlords in East Durham, which has led to a general decline in housing standards in the private rented sector. The decline in housing standards, a lack of tenant vetting, and a fall in demand have created hotspots of anti-social behaviour and crime, unsettling once established communities. 

"I am vocal in my support for Durham County Council to use its existing powers robustly, taking targeted action on anti-social behaviour, environmental issues, and sub-standard housing conditions. 

"Selective licensing will facilitate a healthy and well-regulated private rented sector, improving the management and quality of housing. This will benefit the whole community, including landlords and tenants, if our towns and villages are safer and healthier places to live." 

The scheme also received support from Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, who added: "Many of my constituents have suffered from anti-social behaviour, crime and nuisance from tenants who far too often have been able to quickly move into a similar property, sometimes even in the same street. This licensing scheme will ensure that irresponsible private landlords in communities across County Durham take responsibility for their properties and for their tenants, whilst supporting good landlords." 

Introducing the scheme 

The scheme will mean landlords must apply for a licence and ensure their properties meet the standards set out by the scheme. The licence will last for five years and we will set a charge that the landlord must pay for each rental property they own. A licence fee of £500 is proposed but discounts will be available which could reduce the fee to £350. 

Subject to authorisation from the secretary of state, the scheme is expected to be introduced in April 2021.

Welfare Crescent garage site

I’ve been contacted recently by residents and garage users concerned about the increasingly dilapidated and potentially dangerous condition of parts of the garage site behind Welfare Crescent in Blackhall Colliery. I’ve also received reports that children and young people are gathering at the site, both causing a nuisance and also putting themselves at risk of harm or injury.

In responding to these concerns I have written to the authorities over the weekend to firstly determine the ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the garages and the site, and also to ask for details of the long-term plans for the garages and the overall site. 

In addition I’ve also asked the police and neighbourhood wardens to give the site additional attention over the coming days and weeks to both provide reassurance for residents nearby and also to ensure the safety of children and young people reported to be gathering at the site.

I’ll publish an update on progress with the issues raised above as soon as I have a response from the authorities.

Anti-trespass measures to be installed at Chicken’s Green

Residents, parents and walkers have all raised concerns recently about motorbikes gaining access onto Chicken’s Green causing damage to the grassed area and presenting a risk to children playing on the field and in the play area nearby. In addition there have been complaints from residents about the wooden fence at the bottom of Corry Close which is frequently damaged, unsightly and costly to repair.

To look at ways of addressing residents’ concerns I attended a site meeting yesterday morning with officers from the community action team (CAT), the council’s clean and green team and the East Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP).

In advance of the visit community action team officers had carried out a survey of residents nearby to seek their views on separate proposals to address the concerns reported above. The overall intention of the proposed options is to prevent trespass by motorbikes while leaving access open to walkers.

As the residents responding to the survey were unanimously in favour of the option to remove the damaged fence at the bottom of Corry Close and replace it with boulders we have proposed to proceed with Option A which is to:

 

• remove the fencing and replace it with boulders leaving a gap sufficiently wide for walkers to gain access. An anti-bike gate will also be installed at this location

 

• In addition, we propose to install two gates and a post at the entrance points to Chicken’s Green from Dene Road and Corry Close to prevent bikes gaining access to the grassed and play areas

It has also been agreed to install an extra dog bin by the boulders at the corner of East Street and First Street and move the current dog bin further along East Street. We also looked at the ‘den’ area by the railway track and we have proposed to clear some of the trees to make the area safer and more visible to wardens and police. All trees removed will be replaced elsewhere.

 

I’ll update on developments with these schemes as soon as I receive notification that works are scheduled to begin.

New social restrictions: Frequently Asked Questions

Additional social restrictions are being introduced across seven north east local authority areas from today. These measures are intended to address a significant rise recently in regional infection rates and will apply to County Durham alongside Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, South Tyneside, Gateshead, and Sunderland. 

Detail of the new restrictions is still vague at the moment but Durham County Council has published a list of frequently asked questions based on the information received so far. Full details can be found on the council’s website at: www.durham.gov.uk

1. New measures

From Friday 18 September, regulations will lawfully ban the following: 

• Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.
• Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only.
• Late night restriction of operating hours will be introduced, with leisure and entertainment venues required to close between 10.00pm to 5.00am.

Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:

• Residents should not socialise with other people outside of their own households in all public venues.
• Residents are advised to only use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work.
• Holidays should be taken within your own household or support bubble.
• Residents are advised against attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

More detail follows below:

2. What areas does it cover?

The whole of North Tyneside, Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, County Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside.

3. When are the measures being introduced?

Friday 18 September at 00.01am.

4. Why are the measures being introduced?

These measures will help to address the significant rise in coronavirus cases in the region in recent weeks. 

There is an increased risk of transmission the more people who gather together. Our data shows an increased rate of transmission in homes, hospitality venues and through grassroots sports. 

We are doing everything we can to protect our most vulnerable, keep businesses open and children in school, which these measures will help with.

5. Why is North Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham subject to these measures when they're not on the Government's 'watchlist'?

Infection rates have risen significantly in all areas, with increased numbers of outbreaks, leading to more community transmission across the region. 

While our rates of infections are different, all local authorities in this area are seeing significant rises in positive cases. 

People also travel frequently between the different area for work and leisure, so it makes sense for us to come together to contain this latest increase in infections.

6. How long will it last?

It starts from 00.01 hours on Friday 18 September and will be monitored closely and reviewed on a weekly basis. The next steps will depend on the impact the measures have.

7. What are the household changes?

You must not meet people who do not live with you or are not part of your support bubble, either indoors or outdoors, unless for the specific purposes mentioned below.

People should only come inside your home for specific purposes:

• where everyone in the gathering lives together or is in the same support bubble
• to attend a birth at the mother's request
• to visit a person who is dying (the visitor can be someone the dying person lives with, a close family member, friend or, if none of those is visiting, anyone else)
• to fulfil a legal obligation
• for work purposes (see guidance on working safely in other people's homes), or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services
• for the purposes of education or training
• for the purposes of childcare provided by a registered provider
• to provide emergency assistance
• to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm
• to facilitate a house move
• to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person
• to continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children where the children do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents.

8. Do these measures affect childcare?

You can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders and providers offering before or after school clubs or other out-of-school settings for children. You can also continue to employ nannies, including those living outside of the region.

Children of parents who are separated can continue to move between households.

9. What is a support bubble?

A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home (known as a single-adult household) and one other household of any size.

Once you're in a support bubble, you can think of yourself as being in a single household with people from the other household. It means you can have close contact with that household as if they were members of your own household.

Once you make a support bubble, you should not change who is in your bubble.

You should not have multiple bubbles.

10. Do these measures affect access to education?

No. Schools, colleges and universities remain open and are operating in a COVID-secure way.

11. Does my child need to wear a face covering at school?

Unless exempt, in education settings where students in Year 7 and above are educated, including middle schools, face coverings should be worn by staff, visitors and students when moving around in corridors and communal areas.

12. Can I travel outside the area for work or school?

Yes, people living inside and outside of these areas can continue to travel for work or school. Workplaces and schools themselves should also be implementing COVID-secure measures.

13. Can I go to someone's house in an area not subject to the restrictions?

You should not visit anyone's home inside or outside of the restricted area (except for your support bubble).

14. Can I go to a care home?

Care homes in the region are closed to non-essential visitors, excluding health care professionals and those involved in end of life care (including family members).

If you are planning to visit relatives in care homes outside the affected areas (see Question 2), then check with the care home prior to travelling to ensure that they are still open to visits from family members.

15. Can I visit someone in hospital? 

In order to protect staff and patients, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is suspending visiting to all inpatient adult wards, at all of its hospitals from 9.00am on Friday 18 September. 

For maternity services, one birthing partner can continue to be present during labour, but restrictions will now be back in place regarding the attendance of partners at scan appointments and visiting on post-natal wards. 

There are a few exemptions from the visiting suspension which are as follows: 

• patients receiving end of life care (visiting arrangements will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge) 
• women in labour will be able to have one birthing partner 
• one parent or carer will be able to accompany children in our emergency departments, children's wards and neonatal units 
• patients with dementia, a learning disability or autism and those who require a carer will be able to have one person accompanying them 

Further details can be found at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust website.

15. What are the changes for the hospitality venues?

The following must close from 10.00pm to 5.00am:

• pubs
• bars and restaurants (including hotel dining rooms and members' clubs)
• cafes including workplace canteens (but not including cafes or canteens at hospitals, care homes, prisons, establishments intended for the use of naval, military or air force purposes and for providing food or drink to the homeless)
• social clubs
• cinemas
• theatres
• casinos
• bingo halls and concert halls
• amusement arcades or other indoor leisure centres or facilities
• static/fixed funfairs (indoors or outdoors), theme parks, and adventure parks and activities

During opening hours (5.00am to 10.00pm), there should be table service-only, including ordering drinks and food. 

As elsewhere in the country, venues must also take details of customers for NHS Test and Trace from 18 September.

Between 10.00pm and 5.00am each day hot food takeaways can only operate a delivery service.

Travelling funfairs are also prohibited.

16. Can I still go to a hospitality venue, like a pub or restaurant, or meet up outdoors with family and friends there who don't live with me?

You are advised to only visit these venues with other members of your household (or support bubble).

17. Why can I visit the pub but not my relative's house?

This is because the hospitality industry has enhanced measures, such as risk assessments and test and trace, which private homes don't have.

18. What are the changes to playing sports?

Unless formally organised by a sports club or similar organisation, with guidance issued by a sports governing body, team sports should not take place at an indoor or outdoor venue with people who you don't live with.

You should not spectate at any sports events, including at professional and semi-professional sports events.

19. Can I travel to play sport outside of the areas with restrictions? 

Yes. Please wear a face covering if using public transport unless exempt.

20. Can I go to the gym, gym class or a swimming pool?

Yes, as long as these venues have the required COVID-secure risk assessments and guidelines in place. 

21. Can I have someone in my house (or go into someone's house) to do repairs or other work?

Official/registered tradespeople can go to other people's homes for work purposes as long as you follow national guidance on how to work safely there.

22. Can I still go on holiday?

You can still go on holiday within the UK or abroad, but you should only do this with people you live with (or have formed a support bubble with). You need to follow any rules in the area you visit and be aware of the self-isolation rules when travelling to and from certain countries.

People can visit the region on holiday but must comply with the local restrictions.

23. What about public transport and car sharing?

Residents are advised to only use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work.

Face coverings must be worn unless exempt.

You are advised not to share a car with those outside your household or support bubble, and to use public transport for essential journeys instead. 

24. Are the airport, train stations and ports still open?

Newcastle Airport, train stations and ports remain open and members of the public are permitted to travel to and from these locations.

25. Can I move home?

Yes.

26. What support is available for medically vulnerable residents?

Our County Durham Together community hub continues to be available to help vulnerable and can be contacted by ringing 03000 260 260 between 9.00am until 5.00pm Monday to Friday or by emailing communityhub@durham.gov.uk. See Get help if you're self-isolating for full information.

27. What do I do if I see someone breaking the rules?

Where people are breaking the rules, we will seek to engage, explain and encourage them to adhere to the restrictions. However, enforcement action will be taken where appropriate.

If an individual is breaching restrictions, you can report it to Durham Constabulary. To do so, where possible, people are asked to use the reporting tool on the force's website Durham Police. Alternatively, you can call 101. The police will assess the circumstances to determine the appropriate action.

If you have concerns that a business or venue is not following the guidance, you can report it to the council by emailing covidcompliance@durham.gov.uk.

Once the legislation is in place, the police or the local authority will be able to take action against those who break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices starting at £100 for those who participate in illegal gatherings.

People aged 18 or over will be able to be fined:

• £100 for the first offence, lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days
• £200 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £3,200

28. Where do I find information on infection rates?

You can find information on the Government's website: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK.

Guidance issued on additional social restrictions in the North East

Following a government announcement earlier today that additional social restrictions are scheduled to be imposed from midnight tonight across seven North East England local authority areas the council has issued guidance based on the information they’ve received so far from the government:

The Government has today (Thursday 17 September) announced that additional restrictions will come into effect from 00.01 Friday 18 September. The main points are outlined below; however we are still awaiting clarification from Government on the finer details.

 

Legislation - regulations will lawfully enforce the following:

• Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households in private homes and gardens  
• All hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only 
• Late night restriction of operating hours will be introduced, with venues required to close between 10pm to 5am. 

 

Guidance:

Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:  

• Residents should not socialise with other people outside of their own households in all public venues.  
• Residents are advised to only use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work (rather than car sharing etc) 
• Holidays should be taken within your own household or support bubble  
• Residents are advised against attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators. 

 

Further details are outlined in the FAQs (awb://www.durham.gov.uk/localrestrictions)

 

Why? 

Locally, we are also seeing a significant rise in cases and a shift from isolated outbreaks to more general community transmission. Based on the current trend, we forecast that by the end of the month, we could be experiencing daily rates in the region of 60 per 100,000.   

 

The distribution of cases now closely matches the distribution of population across the county. 

• We are seeing an increase in cases in more isolated rural areas. 
• In addition to areas where we have known outbreaks, we now have other parts of the county with equally high rates, but where we have yet to identify a common source or identifiable link between cases. 

  

A similar picture is emerging in a number of local authority areas across the entire region, and the seven North East local authorities agreed to work to greater regional coordination and an enhanced approach to tackle the pandemic.  

  

With cases significantly rising it is vital that everyone works together to help reduce the spread of the virus and any future lock down. We appreciate that some of the restrictions may be challenging but they are crucial. 

 

We will be providing further communications to residents, businesses and other stakeholders so they know how they can play their part. 

Further information will be available on: awb://www.durham.gov.uk/localrestrictions  If you have any further queries after reviewing the website please contact our County Durham Together hub on 03000 260 260 or communityhub@durham.gov.uk