The new Cycle Path from Pity Me Front Street to New College is looking fantastic. (Photo from Gary Tidbury)
We are working hard to improve other paths in the area and to get new ones as well.
Big thank you to council officers for getting this done despite all the restrictions.
Just a reminder that the Library in Newton Hall is open and available to order and pick up books. If you know anyone who uses the library but doesn’t have online access, they can phone up to order some books or even call in on the day, although calling first is best.
Phone number is 03000 269 503
Current opening hours are:
Monday – 10.00am to 4.00pm
Thursday – 10.00am to 4.00pm
Saturday – 9.30am to 12.30pm
Please do use the library, and let others know too. Make sure you take a mask with you when visiting.
To book online for a collection click here
I had a few complaints about the traffic lights being on and no work being done. Having discussed this with technical services at the Council they have agreed to remove the lights when work is finished each day and at the weekends, and to redouble their efforts to get the work completed quickly.
Thank you to everyone who raised this issue.
When the centre reopened last week, we raised concerns about the opening hours. I’m pleased to say that we have managed to get longer opening hours for the Centre, after suggesting the council bring more staff off furlough.
The Centre will now be open until 8.30pm Mon to Friday and until 2.30pm on Saturday allowing a full additional session for people to book in for. In effect increasing by 50% the number of evening sessions for people only able to access in the evening.
So the first sessions you can book are 8.30am and the last 7.30pm Mon to Friday.
On Saturday the first session is 9.30am and the last session 1.30pm
Each session is for 50 minutes to allow time for the equipment to be cleaned for the next session.
There are also an increasing number of classes.
More information at www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres
The changes to our area to improve cycling have started to be implemented.
You can view the plans at www.durham.gov.uk/active travel
Please let us know what you think as they are introduced.
It’s taken a few weeks to get action but I’m delighted to report that the cycle path from Rotary Way to Abbey Rd looks more like a path again.
We are working on a proposal with Durham AAP, Durham County Council and Framwellgate Moor Parish Council for The Carrs Nature Reserve in Pity Me. The site is 20 acres of ponds, meadow and countryside with a lot of wildlife.
The project involves putting in a new / renewed path around the outside of part of the site from Bishops Way round to the NWL entrance and then round to the wagonway and Meadows development – 650 metres in total.
It will make it far easier for disabled people, those in wheelchairs etc and the elderly to access the site and include a couple of viewing points and seating.
We would also be scraping off two of the pond areas which have filled in / dried out and carrying out some undergrowth cutting where trees have seeded in the wrong places and are drying out the site, changing the habitat.
This will provide ecology improvements and allow people to see more wildlife from the path.
We are working to tight timescales as we are keen to give people an alternative place to go for a walk, view wildlife, see family and friends after being stuck inside during lockdown.
Please email me at mark.wilkes@durham.gov.uk with your support and any comments, which will help in securing funding and getting the message out.
Particularly keen to hear from anyone who struggles at the moment to access the site for mobility reasons or knows someone who will benefit from the proposals.
The Council just released its plans for Aykley Heads including the demolition of County Hall.
The masterplan overview can be found here:
The list of documents for the application can be found here:
We have not been shown these final plans in advance of them being published, however we have had meetings with council officers before lockdown raising issues about the development of Aykley Heads roundabout, parking and congestion as well as public transport links amongst other things.
We will be looking at all these plans in detail.
If you have any concerns you would like to raise, please contact Mamie on 0191 386 9006 or Amanda on 03000 268726.
As the application is likely to go to the County Planning committee, I will not be commenting further at this stage as I am on that committee.
Abbey Leisure Centre will reopen on the 27th and we have been successful in getting the centre reopened throughout the day.
Previously it opened in the morning then closed for a few hours before reopening. The new opening hours will be much longer.
Opening hours when you will be able to book a gym slot will be:
8.30am-7.30pm Mon to Fri and 9am-1.30pm on Saturdays.
The Council web page was wrong and is being removed And updated.
When we have more info I will put it on here, but please do bear in mind that all sessions will need to be booked and that system is still being worked on by the Council to make sure they get it right! (We hope)
THe Parish Council are currently carrying out risk assessments and making the required changes at local play areas. Similar work is taking place at the County Council play areas in Newton Hall.
Shouldn’t be too long now before reopening. All residents are advised that they will need to bring along wipes/or a spray prior to using the facilities To wipe areas children would be touching, whether county or parish play facilities.