Incidents of Fly-tipping

As regular readers of these pages will know I try to set aside the time to take a walk around the streets at least three times a week. This is to keep track of what’s going on in the village but also to spot any recurrent incidents of littering or fly-tipping before they get out of hand. 

In all the years I’ve carried out this ritual there has always been a certain level of fly-tipping but recently incidents have soared meaning I’m often spending upwards of an hour each day reporting incidents.

I’m not sure about the reasons behind this increase; it might be because people are spending more time at home or because a greater number of the properties in our villages are being let to people who simply don’t have as much pride in our community as the rest of us.

Whatever the reason, the impact this constant fly-tipping is having on our community isn’t acceptable so I’ve asked the council to carry out some research into the background to the latest increases. I think we need to know where there are any particular ‘hot-spots’ for fly-tipping (I know of at least two in Blackhall Colliery alone), whether reported incidents are properly investigated to try and identify the culprit and from these investigations how many people are successfully prosecuted - and if none of the above is happening we need to know why.

I don’t want to see residents being prosecuted, especially when times are so tough, but neither do I want to see the villages we all love succumb to mountains of litter and fly-tipping generated by a handful of people who don’t share our pride in the community.

Once I have the figures requested I’ll be asking the service to consider solutions that have proved effective in reducing fly-tipping at other locations. I also intend introducing more formal walkabouts in the villages with estate officers, neighbourhood wardens, PCSOs and other agencies to monitor progress and identify potential problems before they take hold. 

Hopefully, the handful of residents creating the problem will eventually get the message that fly-tipping is never acceptable - and that there will be consequences for persistent offenders.

Storm Corrie - Sunday 30 January

Durham County Council has issued a press release updating on Storm Corrie, expected to hit the North East later today. Please see below for details: 

The response to the storm continues, with one eye on preparations for Storm Corrie arriving in the region today. The current Yellow Weather Warning for Storm Malik expired at 18:00 last night. Temperatures are forecast to dip overnight and our winter maintenance teams will be out gritting as temperatures dip to around 0 degrees.

On Sunday we see the arrival of Storm Corrie. A Yellow Weather Warning is in place for this with winds expected to pick up from around lunchtime and peaking overnight in to Monday morning – winds of up to 60mph are forecast.

Yesterday Northern Powergrid recorded more than 62,000 customers who have been affected by Storm Malik, across Durham and Northumberland, although Northumberland appears to be more affected than County Durham. Northern Powergrid reinstated supply to around 32,000 customers up to 18:00, leaving potentially 30,000 customers without power – with around 8,000 of these in County Durham according to their data.

In response to this incident, the Local Resilience Forum have this afternoon declared a Major Incident.

DCC are currently working with partners for the identification of vulnerable persons who may require assistance. We are deploying staff across the county this evening to make contact with vulnerable households. This is an ongoing process as the situation develops and we are receiving hourly updates from Northern Powergrid in terms of the households still affected.

Teams from across the council have been and continue to respond to the incident. Our Clean and Green are responding to numerous calls for downed trees – with nearly 200 incidents reported. There are currently two roads closed due to storm damage and they will remain closed overnight. Our Dangerous Structures Team have been responding to multiple calls and making assessments of buildings where they can. All teams are working together to respond including to a recent issue around a care home without power. Actions for this are being supported by Northern Powergrid.

CDDFRS have now resumed normal service and stood down additional staff ahead of Sunday. CDDFRS have offered support to partners for work with vulnerable persons and are will therefore be supporting our Wardens in making contact with vulnerable residents across this evening and into tomorrow.

Durham Constabulary have returned to a normal state of response, however they have retained some additional staff to support community activities who are experiencing ongoing power outages.

Resources continue to be deployed across the county to continue the clean-up process and to support those still without power.

Public communications will be going out from all partners of the LRF as required.

We would like to thank all of you who have made referrals of incident information to be actioned. This is has all been passed on to the appropriate team to be actioned.

Any notification of incidents should be referred to the Northern Powergrid on 105 and to the DCC out of hours on 03000 261000

Additional contact details can be found on yesterday’s post at: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/01/storm-malik.html

Storm Malik - Saturday 29 January

If you’re aware of any damage caused by the storms this weekend you can contact Durham County Council direct 

• by telephone: 03000 260000 
• by email: help@durham.gov.uk or 
• go to the website for full details https://www.durham.gov.uk/enquiries

If you experience a power outage you should call 105. For more details please go to: https://www.powercut105.com/

If you need to get in touch with me or Stacey please email us at:

Rob: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or

Stacey: stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk

Derelict land on Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery

I’ve been contacted today by residents concerned about the condition of an open patch of derelict land on Middle Street in Blackhall Colliery. The image below shows the land as viewed from the library railings.

The land is in private ownership and was fenced-off almost six years ago after the county council’s Community Action Team first came to Blackhall and requested the owner to carry out repairs: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2016/03/works-to-repair-damaged-fence-at.html 

However the fence has since been removed and the land is now frequently used for fly-tipping. In addition the fence on the Middle Street side of the site is in a dangerous condition and is frequently falling into the pathway, especially after high winds:

I’ve reported our concerns to the relevant sections at DCC for their attention and I’ve asked that Stacey and I are kept up to date with developments. I’ll report on progress as soon as I have more information.

Cost of Living Crisis - Government urged to ‘Get a Grip’

With household bills soaring and inflation rates going through the roof, we’re heading towards a cost of living crisis - but Downing Street is paralysed by one self-inflicted scandal after another. We have a government in office, but not in control.

At the latest full meeting of Durham County Council, held on Wednesday 26 January at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, I tabled a motion on behalf of the Labour Group calling on the government to rise above its self-inflicted chaos in Downing Street and get a grip on the cost of living crisis looming on the horizon - and for the first time since the Tory-led coalition took control of the council last May we managed to persuade a clear majority of council members to back our proposal. 

In addition to passing my proposal, we also secured sufficient votes to pass a second proposal calling on the government to provide air purifiers in all schools to protect staff and children. Although we have yet to see the listed vote, at first glance it appears this support came from independent councillors who have enough about them to realise that a Tory-led coalition is never going to work out well for the residents of County Durham.

In passing two resolutions, one of them against a Tory amendment, we’ve broken the grip of the coalition - and that's a significant step forward just eight months after they took office last year. They know now for certain that their majority isn’t necessarily sufficient to guarantee the votes they need to pass their policy programme - when they eventually get round to agreeing one.

The first cracks in the coalition's vulnerable majority are showing, but we won't be complacent. We'll continue to hold the coalition to account at every opportunity and we’ll also continue to test their resolve by producing relevant, well-considered proposals that will protect the people of County Durham against the worst excesses of this dreadful Tory government and their acolytes in Durham’s Tory-led coalition.

I’ll report back on any further developments at county hall, but in the meantime I’ve reproduced a transcript of the notes I used when introducing my motion to full council:

Cost of Living: Motion to DCC - Wednesday 26 January 2022:

Proposer: Cllr Rob Crute

Seconder: Cllr Angela Surtees

Motion: During 2022 a number of factors combined will present a significant additional financial burden to the people of County Durham.

This council recognises that the people of County Durham are heading towards a ‘cost of living’ crisis and calls on the government to take immediate measures to mitigate the impact.

Introduction (RC): This coming springtime, if they’re not addressed beforehand, a number of factors combined are going to lead to the hardest squeeze on household budgets in a generation, leading to a cost of living crisis for ordinary working people and families in County Durham and across the UK.

According to the Office for National Statistics the value of wages in real terms is falling and people are about to be hit with a tax rise in the shape of increased National Insurance Contributions to pay for the government’s social care levy.

At the same time energy bills are about to thud onto our doormats, and these will be grossly inflated by energy price cap changes that will increase energy bills by as much as 50% and which will almost certainly increase the number of households in fuel poverty from 4m to 6m.

In addition, Universal Credit claimants will continue to struggle to make ends meet as the government’s decision last year to remove the £20 a week uplift will continue to eat away at household budgets. And, as if this wasn’t enough, in the next few weeks the rate of inflation is set to soar to its highest level in almost 30 years.

As a result, the Resolution Foundation has estimated that, when all these factors come together, household costs will increase by an eye-watering £1,200 a year for each family.

This all follows hard on the heels of 12 years of government austerity that has weakened our public services – including removing over £250 million of grants and funding from Durham County Council alone.

In the context of this additional hardship looming on the horizon, the people of County Durham are heading for a potentially catastrophic cost-of-living crisis, with many struggling families abandoned to the harsh choice of either ‘heating or eating’ – the almost impossible quandary of whether they should heat their homes or put food on the table – and all this in the 21st Century, in the fifth richest nation on earth.

So in the hope of preventing this potential calamity, we call on the government to put in place all measures necessary to mitigate the impact of this crisis on the people of County Durham and beyond.

The list I have here isn’t intended to be exhaustive, but as an absolute minimum the government must take measures now to:

• freeze the energy price cap to hold down energy bills and limit the risk of deepening an already entrenched fuel poverty crisis 
• scrap the tax rises scheduled to hit pay packets from April 
• make arrangements for council tax rebates for those who need them most
• increase benefit payments from the 3.1% planned to 6% to help the hardest hit households and finally
• introduce a windfall tax on profit-rich North Sea oil and gas companies - and in addition, for the longer-term, we urge the government to plan ahead now to wean customers off expensive and environmentally harmful fossil fuels by putting more funding into clean energy and home insulation projects

On behalf of the Labour Group I’m offering a way out of this mess, the rest is up to coalition members this morning to support this motion and call on the government to finally get its act together, put its own self-inflicted crises and chaos to one side and for once try to focus its energies on delivering a decent standard of living for our residents and do whatever is needed to alleviate the financial burden of this impending cost-of-living crisis.

We simply can’t go on like this. We have a government in office, but not in control. A government paralysed by chaos and crisis, unable to fulfil even the most basic of its responsibilities. If they can’t deliver for the people in response to a largely self-made crisis they should stand aside for someone who can.

In the meantime we’ll continue to put the interests of working people and hard-pressed families in County Durham first and foremost – every time. I urge every member in the room this morning to reject any amendment tabled and support the motion in its original form.

My colleague Angela Surtees (Easington, Labour) issued the following statement in support:

Poverty blights people’s lives in many ways.  It can deny them opportunity;  it can affect their health and mental health; and it can isolate them from society.  Too many people in our county and wider north east suffer from poverty,  child poverty currently standing at 25.8% in our county of which 16.8% are in working families. Child poverty being inclusive of a range of other poverties including fuel, food, housing, health inequality and the list goes on.

You only have to look at the stats on the Poverty Dashboard on Durham Insight. It is shameful that in one of the richest countries in the world, we have children going hungry and sleeping in their clothes because their family can’t afford to put the heating on.  The Government may blame the pandemic but the fault lies at their door; the government’s brutal austerity programme and welfare reforms brought communities to their knees even before the pandemic hit.

We are a council who stands at 48^th most deprived in the Country with 16 neighbourhoods classed as left behind in a recent report. We are a council who for the last 10 year has done everything possible to limit the impact of austerity on local communities. The cost of living crisis will exacerbate these poverties but also be reminded that ALL families in County Durham will be affected.

Welfare Assistance Scheme (WAS) applications have risen 52% in the last seven weeks and doesn’t take a genius to work out some of the causes. Our community partnerships, VCS and support organisations are already seeing impacts of the cost of living crisis is having now so its only direction will be worse when NI will be increased for example: lower paid families will be unequally affected .. I want to put on record my appreciation to all the community and voluntary sector organisations and the housing providers who work with us mitigate the effects of poverty in our county.

We need government to recognise that people are at the forefront of our communities they drive economic prosperity and need government to acknowledge that support to reflect the reality of life for everyone in all communities.

This Council’s Equality & Diversity Policy forms part of the appendices of the Council Plan, it is a policy that often goes un-noticed however forms a huge part of the councils day to day activities and is at the heart of the Council’s vision and core values. We recognise that people can face barriers and inequality affects different people and communities in different ways. Our E & D policy is to treat people fairly and with dignity and respect.

Durham Labour will always be on the frontline lobbying for - and helping - those who have been let down by the government or who need help and assistance. I’m calling on this council - all Councillors regardless of political persuasion to support this motion and ultimately fight for what’s right for the people of County Durham.

Follow this link for a full report in the Northern Echo:

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19878830.durham-councillor-halt-cost-of-living-calamity/

Reporting incidents of dog fouling

Dog fouling in our streets and open spaces has been a particularly unpleasant problem in towns and villages right across the county for some time. But every now and again incidents reach a peak - usually during the darker winter months - and reports I’ve received about dog waste in Blackhall over the past week or so would suggest we've reached the latest peak.

A week ago I published an article on these pages about a report of dog fouling at the Scheme Houses: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/01/latest-update-on-reported-issues.html Particularly galling for most residents in this instance is the notion that some dog walkers are so disrespectful to our community - and seemingly unconcerned about the health risk to our children - that they would even consider leaving their dog's waste at the entrance to a childern's play area, especially when there are bins provided.

As I’ve stated in the article above, if there are instances of dog fouling at a specific location the council advises that this is reported immediately on: 03000 260 000 or at: help@durham.gov.uk This approach has two benefits; firstly the clean and green team will clear the area and in addition an increased number of reports relating to a particular location places pressure on the authorities to do something about it. It should also be noted that fines will be issued if and when dog walkers are ‘caught in the act’ or if someone is prepared to provide evidence.

This article is not intended as a blanket criticism of dog walkers. We all know from experience that the overwhelming majority of dog owners take responsiblity for their pets by cleaning up after them. However it only takes the inconsiderate actions of a handful of irresponsible dog walkers to risk tarnishing the good reputation of the rest. 

Clearly there’s a need to identify that tiny minority of dog walkers who think the rules don’t apply to them - and who persistently allow their pets to use our streets as an open toilet. They evidently have no pride in our villages and couldn’t care less about the impact of their behaviour - but the decent, responsible people of this community deserve better. We all have a right to clean streets and open spaces and by working together we can make that difference.

If you are aware of any specific and persistent incidents of dog fouling in your area please report them to the council using the contact details as shown above.

Update on storm damaged trees at Blackhall Rocks

I received a query yesterday about damaged trees along the eastern side of the railway lines from the bottom of Station Road in Blackhall Rocks.

The trees and some of the fences at this location were damaged by the impact of Storm Arwen on the night of Friday 26 November last year, leaving a few trees falling into the railway track.

I reported them to the countryside rangers as soon as it was brought to my attention on the morning after the storm and I’ve now received the following update on works to remove the damaged trees:

The trees associated with the railway line are being resolved in collaboration with Network Rail, which is taking some organisation.  The other trees as part of the conifer block, will be dealt with using contractors due to the amount and complexity of the task.  Unfortunately, as with everywhere else, securing contractors is proving quite difficult.  It will be done as soon as we can, in light of other works needed across the County.

 

I’ll update, when I have further information.

Latest update on reported issues

Following reports received recently from local residents - and in addition to my update report on environmental issues a few days ago - I have a couple of further issues to update on:

Speed visor on the B1281 at Castle Eden:

 

Working alongside the members of Castle Eden Parish Council we had a speed visor installed on the B1281 at Castle Eden last year. There had been a number of delays in connecting the visor to the electricity supply until Northern Powergrid carried out the necessary works late last year.

Unfortunately the visor has since been damaged and is awaiting repair. I have been advised by officers in the highways department today that engineers from the company will be on site on Monday afternoon to assess the damage and carry out repairs as required.  

Abandoned bins at rear Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery: 

I received a report yesterday morning from a resident that a number of household bins had been left out in the street behind Middle Street, at the bottom of Park Avenue and Hatherley Square.

I have raised the issue with the refuse collection service and arrangements will be made to remove the bins at the earliest opportunity.

Traffic restrictions at Park Avenue, Blackhall Colliery: 

Regular followers of these pages will be aware that following complaints from residents I issued a request some time ago for the council to take whichever measures are necessary to address residents’ concerns about vehicles driving along the lane running down the centre of Park Avenue: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2021/06/update-on-residents-calls-for.html 

Materials needed to carry out the necessary works were ordered months ago but unfortunately hold-ups in the supply line are delaying a start - from news reports this appears to be a widespread problem caused by a combination of factors. I've asked the officers in the highways section this week for an update and I'll report on progress as soon as I have a response.  

Damaged bollards on Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery: 

I've received a report that bollards on Middle Street have been damaged in a traffic collision. I've contacted the highways section at county hall with a request that the damage is assessed as soon as possible and that all options for replacing the bollards are considered. I'll update on progress as soon as I have more information from the service. 

Request for dog bins at the Scheme Houses: 

Last week I received a request on social media for two dog bins to be installed; one near the children's play area at the Scheme Houses and another on the road along the top of Arnold and Byron Avenues. I issued a request to the service to carry out a survey of bins provided at these locations and an initial response indicates that there are already bins in place. 

I've followed up with this query today (Saturday 15th) and there are bins in place at the play area (shown above) and at the bus stop at the top of Eleventh Street and Arnold Avenue. The service has confirmed that both bins are dual purpose and can be used for litter and dog waste. 

Update, Saturday I’ve contacted the neighbourhood wardens again this afternoon pointing out that while there are dual litter/dog waste bins in place some dog walkers aren’t using them to dispose of their dog’s waste. I’ve asked the wardens if it would be possible to erect warning signs at this location and also mark the bins as dual use. I’ve also asked them if they could give this location some additional attention for a while in the hope it acts as a deterrent to the tiny minority of dog walkers who seem to think it’s acceptable to let their dogs foul our streets.

Fence repairs at Blackhall Rocks: 

I have been contacted by a resident at Blackhall Rocks concerned about ongoing delays to fencing repairs on Believe Housing land to the rear of the Coast Road which are reported to have been damaged during Storm Arwen in late November last year.

I've raised the matter with officers at Believe Housing who have assured me they'll arrange to assess the damage and get back to me with a response. I'll update on progress as soon as I have more information. In the meantime if you are aware of any remaining concerns about damage caused by Storm Arwen please get in touch: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/01/follow-up-to-storm-arwen.html  

For details of my update report earlier this week please go to: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/01/environmental-issues-in-blackhall.html 

Please continue to report any issues or concerns to me at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or if you prefer you can pass on any concerns direct to the council at: https://doitonline.durham.gov.uk/ or by telephone at: 03000 260 000

Follow up to Storm Arwen

It was drawn to my attention this morning by a comment on Facebook (since deleted) that the council’s response to residents’ concerns about damage caused to their homes and property by Storm Arwen last November may have been insufficient.

I’ve checked back through my own telephone and email records today and I’m confident that every contact I received from residents and property owners/landlords in the aftermath of the storm was dealt with by the relevant department at Durham County Council and other partner agencies such as Believe Housing, Northern Powergrid and any relevant utility companies. In addition officers have also confirmed that they responded to every issue I raised with them on behalf of residents - and in all cases left their contact details with the resident/landlord in case of future need.

However I’m concerned that anyone who might have contacted the council or any other agency direct may not have received the response they wanted or needed.

So if you or anyone you know have any outstanding issues that haven’t yet been dealt with by any of the authorities please get in touch with me direct with details of the person or agency you originally contacted and I’ll see what I can do to follow up on your query:

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or 03000 268 702

Environmental issues in Blackhall Colliery and Station Town

Following recent contact from residents - and also in response to a number of issues picked up on regular street walkabouts - the following environmental issues in Blackhall Colliery and Station Town have been reported to the relevant authorities for their attention: 

Damaged fence in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery (CRM Reference: FS 3915 42035): 

This is a long-running issue regarding a damaged fence on private land on Middle Street, near its junction with Hesleden Road. The fence has been repaired several times in the past but then frequently falls into a state of disrepair again - especially following windy weather conditions. 

On this latest occasion the fence is leaning inwards and the lower section is sticking out into the footpath causing an obstruction and presenting a trip hazard. It has been reported to the council with a request that the landowner is contacted to carry out repairs.

Debris on the footpath at the B1281 in Blackhall Colliery (CRM Reference FS 3924 45978): 

Works have been carried out recently to thin the trees and hedges overhanging the footpath adjacent to St Joseph’s RC Church on the approach to the B1281/A1086 Coast Road junction in Blackhall Colliery. This follows regular complaints from residents about the dangerous condition of the footpath surface, especially when wet or frozen. I’ve asked for the debris left behind to be cleared as soon as possible.

Damaged fence near the Business Centre in Station Town (reported direct to service): Residents have raised concerns that the fence adjacent to the Business Centre in Station Town has been damaged. I’ve asked the council to carry out repairs.

Damaged chicane at Station Town: This is another of those long-running issues where the bollards and signage at and around the the chicane on the B1280 linking Station Town with Wingate are almost permanently damaged. Stacey has passed residents’ concerns to the relevant department at county hall with a request that repairs are carried out as soon as possible. In light of the many issues relating to this structure we intend to gauge public opinion on whether we should request the highways authority to consider installing safer and more effective measures at this location.

Debris in the streets at the Scheme Houses (reported direct to service): Residents contacted me earlier this week expressing their concerns about the poor condition of some of the streets at the Scheme Houses in Blackhall Colliery following works carried out recently by a utility company installing underground cables. This is developing into something of a problem following reports of similar issues in other parts of our patch. I’ve asked the council to contact the companies responsible with a request they return the streets and footpaths at this location to a decent condition.

If you have concerns about any environmental issues in your area please get in touch with me or Stacey and we’ll do whatever we can to help:

Rob: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or

Stacey: stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk

The impact of Child Poverty in County Durham

Last Friday morning I attended a meeting of the county council’s Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny committee, where one of the agenda items focused on the current levels of child poverty in County Durham. Please go to the following link for details: https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=122&MId=13105

The presentation accompanying the report revealed that child poverty in County Durham is on the rise, with almost 28% of children under the age of 16 living in ‘relative’ poverty and 22% living in ‘absolute’ poverty. In addition, over the past five years, the number of school children eligible for and claiming free school meals (used as one of the measures to gauge levels of poverty) has increased by a staggering 50% to 20,300 pupils.

During the time set aside for members’ comments and questions after the officers’ presentation I thanked officers for the report - and I commend officers for their application and commitment to tackling the impact of poverty on families and communities across County Durham. However, I also expressed my disgust that here in the 21st century, in the fifth richest country in the world, we are having to find ways to address entrenched and deepening child poverty when it could be virtually eradicated if the political will existed.

I urged that government must act now to tackle the blight of inequalities within and between regions to make sure that left-behind communities can catch up with the rest - especially now that the latest phase of the pandemic appears to be receding. Government must also take measures immediately to ensure that struggling communities aren’t abandoned again to the mercy of an extended pandemic which has already taken its toll disproportionately in deprived areas.

I also said that it was alarming to be sat here in the 21st century - in the fifth richest country in the world - talking about deepening child poverty caused by austerity and sustained by a grotesquely unfair and disproportionate distribution of wealth to the tiny minority at the top of society.

What I heard on Friday morning reinforced the notion that the government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda has been exposed as nothing more than pie-crust promises and empty rhetoric. We must bring pressure to bear at the highest level of government to force them if necessary to bring an end to their failed and damaging austerity project, and instead redistribute wealth to areas of need to reverse the impact of child poverty and the deepening regional inequalities at its root. 

Make no mistake, poverty doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a consequence of government policy designed deliberately to marginalise working class communities and hold our people back. Unless and until the government is forced to recognise the extent and impact of child poverty in County Durham - and the role they’ve played in sustaining it with over a decade of unnecessary austerity - our communities will continue to suffer the consequences.

Durham County Council begins public consultation on its Library Service

Stacey and I received notification yesterday that Durham County Council has begun a public consultation exercise on the future of its library service. Please go to the link below for details:

www.durham.gov.uk/consultation

The manager at the Blackhall branch library has confirmed that there are also paper copies of the consultation document available in the library. 

Libraries are the hallmark of a civilised and well-developed society and are essentially the lifeblood of our communities. As such we all hold them close to our hearts and value the services they provide in our towns and villages. Please make every effort to take part in the council’s consultation and make your voice heard.

Quads and Off-road bikes at Crimdon

I've been contacted recently by a resident reporting concerns about the impact off-road bikes and quads are having on the countryside and on our open public spaces, and specifically at Crimdon Dene and the nearby beach.

Regular followers of the these pages will know that this is an issue affecting many areas across the county - including a few on our patch - and whilst it proves difficult for the authorities to address some of those incidents on a larger scale we have been successful in restricting access in some locations through the use of target-hardening measures which physically prevent vehicles from trespassing onto open spaces. Please see article dated Thursday 28 January 2021 for details of one example at Chicken’s Green in Blackhall Colliery: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2021/01/first-phase-of-safety-measures-at.html

I have forwarded details of the latest reported concerns to the police and officers at the Durham Heritage Coast who are currently working to address similar issues along the East Durham coastline - including at Crimdon. I received the following response by return:

Good morning Cllr Crute

Thank you for sharing your report and your question on possible measures.

This is a long running issue across the country as well as the county. For the Heritage Coast we have drawn together a Task Group of land owners and managers, the police and the appropriate County Council services as a means of sharing experience, expertise and  coordinating and collaborating on measures to address environmental crime including illegal bikes and quads. This group has spent over £30,000 in the current year on target hardening along the coast. The group has fed into the county wide Safer Durham Partnership plan on illegal bikes and took part in the recent Public Accountability meeting held by Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The PCC's office produced a useful and informative recording of the event that is available through this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aifEgm_3uOY.

Addressing the issues at Crimdon, I am aware of the ease of access to the dene for quads and bikes; this has to be balanced with the needs of young families and disabled users. Access is also available along the shore from the north and south. We have a site meeting arranged between the various council services for later in the month to look at a number of improvements around the site and will specifically look at target hardening and the use of A-frame anti-bike gates at both entrances to the dene. I will report back on the actions agreed.  It is also worth noting that the Crimdon Dunes facility also has comprehensive CCTV coverage that will assist in identifying riders once it is operational.

Reporting incidents through 101 is the best route for logging incidents and building the intelligence picture for the police. 999 can also be used if there is danger to people or property happening. For information there is also a long running Durham Constabulary initiative called Operation Endurance that specifically addresses vehicle crime in Durham and Darlington. I have sent on details of [this latest incident] to Operation Endurance, a further incident on New Years Day in the dunes has also been reported.

Joining in with Keep in the Know is another way of keeping up to date with what is happening locally and further afield.