Bins at the Scheme Houses

I’m ringing round the offices trying to find out why the bins haven’t been picked up in parts of the Scheme Houses today, but from the supervisors I’ve managed to speak to no one seems to know what’s gone wrong.

From the comments I’ve received from residents there are no obstructions in any of the streets. 

I’ll persist in trying to find out why the bins haven’t been picked up but in the meantime I would urge everyone affected to report any problems direct to the council: https://www.durham.gov.uk/recycling 

Residents shouldn’t have to do this but the more reports the council receives the more pressure is placed on them to put things right sooner rather than later.

Update on water leak repair works at Corry Close

Earlier this month I reported that works were underway to repair an underground water leak in the lane between Aspatria Avenue and Corry Close in Blackhall Colliery. Full details can be found in the link here: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/drainage-works-at-corry-close-and.html 

I’m pleased to report that repair works have now been completed and that the water flow from underneath the lane and into the road at the bottom of Corry Close and Aspatria Avenue has been addressed:

DCC closures over Christmas and the New Year

Recycling centres (skip sites), libraries and leisure centres are among some of the council services that may be subject to change over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Please see below for details:

Customer Access Points will close at 12.45pm on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January.

In the event of an emergency, residents can still contact the council on 03000 26 0000 or use the 24/7 automated payments line on 0300 456 2771.

If you are concerned about someone who is vulnerable or at risk, you should contact Social Care Direct and the Emergency Duty Team on 03000 267 979. The service will be open across the Christmas and New Year period.

Online services will still be accessible over the festive period but requests may not be processed until council offices reopen on Tuesday 3 January.

Register offices will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and all bank holidays. Bishop Auckland and Durham register offices will open for appointments only on Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December but opening times will vary. To make an appointment call 03000 26 6000. Normal opening hours will resume on Tuesday 3 January.

Leisure centres will be open throughout the festive period except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and all bank holidays. They will also close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Visit www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres for opening hours at your local centre.

Council libraries will close on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January. Opening times on Friday 23 December may vary. For more details, please check individual library hours at www.durham.gov.uk/libraries. Residents will still be able to access the library’s Borrowbox app with their library membership.

Pathways day centres for adults will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Family centres will close or have restricted opening times over the festive period. Users are advised to contact their local centre before Christmas to check when it will be open or call 03000 261 111.

The council’s Welfare Assistance Service will be closed on bank holidays and weekends and will be open reduced hours, from 8.30am to 12pm on Friday 23 December, and from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 December. It will also be open from 9am until 12pm on Friday 30 December. The service can be contacted on 03000 267 900.

Sevenhills DLI research and study centre, in Spennymoor, will close at 3pm on Thursday 22 December and reopen for appointments on Tuesday 3 January. Email dlicollectionenquiries@durham.gov.uk for research appointments. A member of staff will get back to you from 3 January.

Durham County Record Office will be closed from Friday 23 December until Tuesday 3 January and staff will not be responding to any enquiries. While the search room will remain temporarily closed to visitors, the remote enquiry service will resume from 3 January. More information can be found at www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk

The Park and Ride service will not operate during any of the bank holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. It will operate as normal, from 7am to 7pm, on all other days. Parking in all council on and off-street car parks continues to be free after 2pm.

Visit www.durham.gov.uk/festive for more information and updates on Durham County Council services during the festive period.

Residents can also keep up to date with any changes to council services by following @durhamcouncil on twitter or /durhamcouncil on Facebook.      

Bin collections over Christmas and the New Year

Please note below revised bin collection days in the Blackhall area over the Christmas and New Year period.

You can check the bin collection dates for your own location by entering your post code in this link: https://www.durham.gov.uk/bincollections

December 2022

Collection	Day of week	Date
Rubbish bin	Friday	16 December 2022
Recycle bin	Friday	23 December 2022
Rubbish bin	Saturday	31 December 2022

January 2023

Collection	Day of week	Date
Recycle bin	Friday	6 January 2023
Rubbish bin	Friday	13 January 2023
Recycle bin	Friday	20 January 2023

Crimdon bus shelter replacement delayed until next month

A few weeks ago I reported that the replacement bus shelter outside the Lido garage in Crimdon was scheduled to be installed during the first week of December. 

Background details can be found in this link: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/11/replacement-bus-shelters-at-crimdon-and.html

Unfortunately one of the utility companies had to respond to an emergency at the same location last week (this is why there have been traffic lights at The Seagull over the past few days) meaning that the plans to install the replacement bus shelter have been deferred until next month:

Good morning, just a quick update with regards to the bus shelter outside Lido Garage, Crimdon.

Unfortunately the planned bus shelter installation was postponed on the 6^th December due to emergency gas works taking place in the vicinity. I have since been in contact with our supplier and the next available date for install is W/c 16^th January. I have asked the supplier to be in contact if a sooner date becomes available.

I’ll update on developments if and when the contractor can find an earlier date for the works to take place.

Round-up of local issues - 9 December 2022

Please go to the links below for updates on just a few of the local issues I’ve been dealing with over the past week or so. If there are any issues in your neighbourhood that you’d like me or Stacey to know about please get in touch with us at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk

Road safety on the B1281 between Blackhall and Hesleden:

Following a vehicle collision on Wednesday 7 December I contacted the highways authority to ask if they would carry out a road safety review on the B1281 between Blackhall Colliery and Hesleden to see if any additional signage or traffic control measures could have prevented either of the two recent accidents along this stretch of road. Details in the link below:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/road-safety-on-b1281-between-blackhall.html

Derelict land at Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery:

Residents raised additional concerns about the condition of the privately-owned land on Middle Street. Full details can be found in the link below:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/derelict-private-land-on-middle-street.html

Hesleden pit heap update:

The link below contains the latest update on residents' concerns about delays to the planning application to extend the time period allowed to remove spoil from the pit heap at Hesleden:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/11/hesleden-pit-heap-update.html

Misleading rumours about Hesleden pit heap:

A false rumour was circulating last week suggesting that the pit heap at Hesleden was about to be converted into two separate quarries and two waste disposal sites. This appears to have been caused by a resident misunderstanding a report in the local newspaper. Go to the link below for full details:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/false-rumours-over-quarrying-and-waste.html

Excess mud on the B1281 at Blackhall Colliery:

The highways authority's compliance officer intervened after I took up residents' concerns about mud and clay on one half of the carriageway near the ongoing housing development on the B1281.

Background details and the latest update can be found in the link below:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/excess-mud-and-rutted-verge-on-b1281-at.html

Drainage works at Aspatria Avenue completed:

A damaged drain had been causing water to flow down the footpath between Aspatria Avenue and Corry Close and then pool in the road at the bottom. Residents were concerned that this could create slipping problems in freezing weather. I took this up with the relevant authorities and the issue has now been resolved. Full details can be found in the link below:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/drainage-works-at-corry-close-and.html

Options on parking at School Avenue and Park Avenue:

Parking enforcement officers have responded to the concerns I raised on behalf of residents about parking in the back lane between School Avenue and Park Avenue:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/11/tackling-parking-issues-at-park-avenue.html

Christmas Tree lighting at Blackhall Colliery:

The community and local schoolchildren came together on Monday evening to switch on the Christmas Tree lights at Chicken's Green: 

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/blackhall-lights-up-its-christmas-tree.html

Christmas Tree lighting at Hesleden:

After Monday's Christmas Tree switch on in Blackhall Colliery on Monday night the staff and children from Hesleden Primary school gathered together with residents to light up their Christmas Tree on the village green:

https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/12/hesleden-lights-up-its-christmas-tree.html

Road Safety on the B1281 between Blackhall and Hesleden

I received reports yesterday (Wednesday 7 December) of an accident on the B1281 between Blackhall Colliery and Hesleden. 

Thankfully it was reported that no one appears to have been badly injured, but I'm also aware there was a separate accident a few weeks ago just to the east of the B1281 junction with Myra Avenue. 

Although early enquiries suggest that driver error may have been the cause I have asked the authorities to consider carrying out a review of road safety on this stretch of the B1281 to see if any additional safety measures could have prevented either accident. 

I'll update on progress when I have additional information.

Hesleden lights up its Christmas Tree

After the Christmas tree lights were switched on at Blackhall Colliery on Monday evening it was Hesleden's turn tonight to light up their tree and once more the people of Hesleden did the village proud with another fantastic turnout.

The chairman of the parish council, Cllr Gaynor Crute, welcomed everyone to the event by introducing the staff and pupils from Hesleden Primary School who came along as usual to entertain residents gathered around the tree. A selection of Christmas carols was closely followed by the countdown to the tree lighting.

As ever, thanks go to the clerk, staff and members of Monk Hesleden Parish Council for organising the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, along with Rev Sally who blessed the tree as it was lit. And a special thank you of course goes to the staff and pupils of Hesleden Primary School for their magnificent carol singing which truly got everyone ready for the run-up to Christmas.

Blackhall lights up its Christmas Tree

Despite the freezing cold and damp weather there was another fantastic turn out on Monday night for the annual ceremony to light the parish council’s Christmas tree on Chicken's Green in Blackhall Colliery.

The chairman of the parish council, Cllr Gaynor Crute, opened the event by introducing the children of Blackhall Colliery and St Joseph's primary schools who sang a selection of Christmas carols. Fr Kyle then offered a blessing for the tree before leading the children in a countdown to the tree lighting.

Thanks go to the clerk, chairman and members of Monk Hesleden Parish Council, and Fr Kyle. As ever a special thanks goes to the pupils and staff from both Blackhall Colliery and St Joseph's primary schools for coming along each year to get the Christmas period off to a bright start.

False rumours over quarrying and waste disposal sites in Hesleden

There appears to have been some confusion over the past few days after a resident misunderstood an article in the latest edition of East Durham Life and set off rumours that the former pit heap in Hesleden could be converted into two quarrying sites and two waste disposal sites.

The misunderstanding seems to have come from an article published on page 4 of this week’s edition of East Durham Life which was promoting a council consultation exercise. The article first refers to our local campaign earlier this year to resist the proposed extension of time allowed to remove spoil from the pit heap in Hesleden. It then goes on to refer to an ongoing consultation on a Minerals and Waste Policies and Allocations Document in which a number of sites ‘within or adjacent to existing quarries in the county’ are included for consideration.

Although not mentioned in the article itself, a quick look through the consultation document shows that these sites are actually at Quarrington Hill, Haswell/Sherburn Hill and Thrislington - not at Hesleden.

The resident reading the newspaper article appears to have read one part of it (the bit where it mentions Hesleden) and confused it with the next part - and then mistakenly assumed the sites somehow referred to Hesleden.

For information the latest edition of East Durham Life can be found in the link below, and you’ll find the article on page 4: https://www.hartlepoollife.co.uk/1-december-2022-issue-185

The consultation document referred to in the East Durham Life article can be found here, with specific site proposals set out from page 86 onwards: https://consult-durhamcc.objective.co.uk/resources/portal/supportingfiles/773145

Derelict private land on Middle Street

The poor condition of a patch of privately-owned land in Middle Street has been an issue of local concerns for some time. The land has been left open to the elements since perimeter fencing was removed earlier this year and partially replaced at the front. The other side backing onto the library remains wide open to access by fly-tippers and all kinds of rubbish and detritus. 

Earlier this year, following concerns from residents that the fencing at the front of the land was at risk of falling into the public footpath, I asked the council’s planning enforcement team to contact the landowner with a request that the land was made secure. The landowner complied but the fencing was only partially replaced which led to the problems we have today with regular incidents of fly-tipping.

Background details can be found in this link: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/01/derelict-land-on-middle-street.html

Following additional  concerns expressed recently by residents and business owners I’ve asked the council to do whatever it can to either have the land brought back into use or to have it made secure against trespass and fly-tippers.

I’ll update on progress as soon as I have a response from the service.

Excess mud and rutted verge on the B1281 at Blackhall Colliery

A resident contacted me earlier this week concerned about the poor condition of parts of the B1281 in Blackhall Colliery. The complainant reported that the westbound side of the road was the worst affected and they felt this had been caused by vehicles heading from the ongoing housing development at Hardwicke Place heading towards Hesleden and the A19.

In response to the resident’s concerns I asked the council’s monitoring and compliance officer to get in touch with the developer to see if there was a particular issue with the cleansing equipment which under usual circumstances is used frequently to keep the road clear of mud and other detritus. 

I received the following response last night and I’ll update on developments as soon as I have more information from the officer or developer:

Good Evening Rob

I have received the complaint regarding mud on the road outside the above development. I have recorded it as a complaint and the details will be sent to you once it has been processed.

I have contacted the site and developer this afternoon and they have advised me that the groundwork contractors have been moving clay from the site for the last week and this has caused the excess mud on the carriageway. The site have advised that a brush cleaner has been working almost constantly whilst this has been ongoing.

I will be passing the site tomorrow so should be able to make a better assessment, I will let you know my findings.

Kind Regards

**UPDATE** Wednesday 8 December

Good Morning Rob

Further to our email last week I had contacted the developer to request their cleaning schedule be forwarded to me.

Yesterday I passed the site and noted that the entrance area and the first part of the road towards Castle Eden was in a poor state, with mud and debris being trailed off site from leaving lorries.

I contacted the developer and the site manager responded to me last night. He was on leave yesterday but had visited the area at 4pm and forwarded pictures to me which showed a much cleaner area than mine from the morning.

The current cleaning regime is carried out by a fork lift and brush every two hours. There is no road sweep currently deployed as the fork lift is just as efficient. This is acceptable and is what is detailed in the construction management plan.

I have requested that a once weekly sweep by the external road cleaner is carried out to clean near the kerb edges where the main problem seems to be on Hesleden Road.

I have further requested more regular fork lift cleans on the site roads which would prevent the mud and debris being dragged further onto the main road.

I will be monitoring over the next few weeks so hopefully this will improve the area. I do not feel at this stage I need to escalate to wheel washing as the amount of vehicles leaving the site is currently quite low and effort is being made to retain plant vehicles within the build area so as not to spread further mud and debris.

Drainage works at Corry Close and Aspatria Avenue

Earlier this year I was contacted by residents in Aspatria Avenue concerned about water running down the lane at the front of their properties and pooling in the road near the substation at the bottom of Corry Close. 

Initially there was some uncertainty amongst the authorities about who actually owned and maintained the land - and a series of site investigations caused delays to remedial works taking place. However following additional site visits by both Northumbrian Water and the council’s highways and drainage teams works began recently to repair a damaged land drain. 

I’ve been notified this morning that repair works are expected to be completed before the end of this week.