Sounds like a fizzy apple juice – but it isn’t. It’s the ‘Strategic Housing Land Area Assessment’ – and that’s just a way of assessing what building land is out there and how suitable and ready it is for development. Our very busy strategic planners have consulted and collated and assessed a huge list of potential development sites in Castle Morpeth.

The household waste recovery centre at Whorral Bank will shut temporarily in September for work which will substantially increase its size. The site will close at 7.30pm on Friday September 12, and is scheduled to re-open at the end of February 2009.

This may be a good time to find out about Freecycle!

Due to national strike action - there will (probably) be no 'blue bin' collection on Weds or Thurs this week, and the Wednesday Market will be cancelled or much reduced.

Novera Energy are proposing to build two wind farms of six turbines each at Longhirst and at Todd Hill (near Pigdon). They are holding public exhibitions over the next few weeks.

Work in the Town Centre is imminent. A compound will be established at the bottom end of Back Riggs car park from July 7th - and work on the new bus station will begin on July 21st. Dransfield will be posting regular progress reports at www.sandersonarcade.co.uk

The Executive Board is meeting in the Lower School Hall at KEVI on Thurs 10th July from 6pm, with an open public questions session from 5.30pm

The handsome cherry tree in Rotary Gardens fell down this morning - and was cleared away by the Borough Council's Green & Clean 'rapid response' team in about two hours.

Contrary to report (at CMBC scrutiny and elsewhere) - the current (Phase 1) works on the Town Hall were always scheduled to take about six months.
The scaffolding should be down by mid-August

Rumours are that work in the Buttermarket of the Town Hall (taking out the toilets) will start after Fair Day (which is June 8th).

Access to the Cornmarket will be only through the rear (fire) exit during this work.

Rumours are that the next stage of the Town Centre Development - I think that's work on the new bus station, maybe extension of Morrison's - will start on June 3rd

Northern Gas Networks is replacing the gas main in Thorp Avenue between 25th Feb and 17th March.

More than roadworks disruption - I'm concerned that older people living on Thorp Ave do not suffer when the gas is disconnected.

NCC are starting work on the traffic calming scheme on Howard Road tomorrow (16th Feb) - and reckon it'll take a week.

I suppose they think they've done the right thing picking half-term week.

The Council is preparing a Climate Change Action Plan - and is consulting on options. The consultation questionnaire can be downloaded from 'Consultations & Reports' on this site - or from CMBC's main site.

Morpeth Rail Station has been awarded government funding to improve access.

The popular 7.20am rail service to London is going to be changed in the new timetables due out in May.

SENRUG's petition to 10. Downing Street has 850 signatures to date - and they are looking to reach 1,000 in the last two months.

Just a quick note to point out that CMBC is not backing Sainsbury's proposals for a new store south of Stobhill

Northbourne Residents Association are holding a public meeting to raise awareness of the impact a proposed development in Kings Avenue will have on Hood Street, Olympia Hill and Gardens, Howard Terrace and Northbourne Avenue. 7.30pm Mon 21st January in the Methodist Hall, Howard Terrace.

Wellway will be closed to through traffic from Monday 21st Jan to Fri 4th April inclusive. Diversions along Dacre Street, Howard Road and Copper Chare will be in operation.

Arriva Cross Country has replied to CMBC comments on the draft Dec 2009 timetable by stonewalling on restoring four InterCity stops a day at Morpeth Rail Station

The Environment Agency will start consulting on new flood protection and prevention schemes for Morpeth this coming February - with a view to carry out the work within the next three years.

Watch this space for more information

The Core Strategy 'Preferred Options' for the Local Development Framework are out for consultation - deadline 31st January.

This is the local framework for planning policies and decisions for the next fifteen years - and in my view, the most influential policy that the Council sets.

The Hood Street Brethren are closing down - and selling off the Hood Street Hall. Watch out for planning applications in the new year

English Partnerships has taken over the St George's Hospital site and intend to bring forward a new planning application for 200 houses and employment provision in February.

Following complaints about limited consultation - NCC has delayed proposals to move the zebra crossing on Howard Road, but the rest of the traffic calming scheme is going ahead.

NCC are offering to put in lighting in bus shelters in Morpeth - and have asked the Town Council to comment.

Shelters in North Central ward under consideration are:
* Pottery Bank, adjacent to Fulbeck junction, Southbound
* Whorral Bank, adjacent to St George’s Hospital junction, Northbound

"English Partnerships is seeking to facilitate the redevelopment of the former St. George’s Hospital site to provide a ‘sustainable mixed-use redevelopment’"

"David Lock Associates are undertaking a Pre-Application public consultation exhibition to provide information about the current stage of the development and give an opportunity to local people and stakeholders to influence the redevelopment of St. George’s Hospital."

Northern Rail are putting on trains running between Newcastle and Morpeth on the Sundays leading up to Christmas so that people in Newcastle can come Christmas shopping in Morpeth. For some reason the services also run through to the Metro Centre?

The Child Benefit Helpline is 0845 302 1444.

I wouldn't want to make political capital over the loss of personal identity data by Government agencies - especially not on a Council-owned website. So I'll just post the official helpline number for worried people to ring up - and be grateful that - with the personal surveillance and and monitoring powers the Government has - it is essentially liberal and incompetent rather than ruthless and efficient.

NCC are carrying out a localised consultation regarding relocation of the zebra crossing, three speed cushions and additional parking spaces on Howard Road. Closing date for comments 22nd Nov

Contractors, Carillion JM Limited, will be carrying out essential improvement work to the sewerage network for Northumbria Water.

The £1.5 million scheme, which will begin on Monday, 22 October 2007 and last up to five months, will involve installing 200 metres of new sewer pipe on Well Way and relocating and upgrading five combined sewer overflows at different locations within Morpeth.

Update: Henry Warne & Frank Rescigno elected as Community Directors on GMDT Board

Nov 11th: Arriva take over from Virgin Rail on the Cross Country franchise

Dec 8th: National Express take over from GNER on the East Coast Mainline franchise

If you see anyone around Morpeth wearing white poppies this weekend - it is because Friday (21st) is the International Day of Peace

Update on current and planned roadworks in Morpeth given to Town Council 5th Sept by Dick Phillips NCC Highways

On 16th August, an area of plaster fell from the ceiling on the first floor hallway of the Town Hall. The whole of the first floor of the Town Hall is now closed until at least Monday 24th September while repairs and cleaning are carried out.

Engineering works are being carried out on the ECML every weekend from 15th -16th September through to 3rd - 4th November 2007. No trains will run north of Morpeth on these dates. GNER services to Edinburgh will be diverted via Carlisle and there will be coaches connecting Newcastle with Morpeth, Alnmouth Berwick and Dunbar. On Saturday 27th October and Saturday 3rd November, the Newcastle – Cramlington - Morpeth trains will be replaced by coaches.

The Government have published a draft "Approach to Implementation" for the creation of a county-wide unitary authority. They say that councils "should involve local ... stakeholders" in consideration of the proposals - and that they (the Govt) will "have regard" to "other comments received in response". Taking them at their word - I've uploaded the draft Guidance to my "Consultations & Reports" page - so anyone can have a look at what is proposed.

The 'preferred options' for the future of Morpeth Cottage Hospital have been published. Green and blue consultation leaflets should be widely available. Deadline for comments is 5th October.

Consultation on proposal to make High Stanners one-way as far as Hollon Street.
Update: my response is in the 'Consultations & Reports' section of this website

Consultation on proposal to introduce Residents Parking Permits in Middle Greens

Deadline for responses back to NCC Highways for both is 10th August

Highway works on Dark Lane for four months from 30th July

Construction of new longstay carpark 20th July - 16th Nov

Construction of new petrol station 1st Oct - 29th Feb '08

Christian Aid is promoting a 1000 mile ‘Cut the Carbon’ March to raise awareness about climate change. Twenty marchers – ten from the developing world and ten from the UK are marching from Belfast to London. They are passing through the North East between the 28th July and the 6th August.

They are marching from Alnwick to Lynemouth on 1st August and from Lynemouth to Tynemouth on 2nd August - and there'll be a 'Meet the Marchers' session in Morpeth on the Weds 1st evening (see events)

Proposal for a 20mph Zone and speed cushions for Dacre Street, Wellway and Wellway Court

Consultation by NCC Highways - closing date 10th September

Closing date for the consultation is Weds 18th - I've uploaded my comments into the 'Reports & Consultations' section of this website.

The County Council has put out a consultation on proposals to traffic-calm Howard Road - including two raised junctions, a raised zebra crossing, speed cushions - and a general 20mph speed limit.

Transport 2000 are running a competition to find the rail stations with the worst non-car access in the country.

You might consider the lack of disabled access to the northbound platform of Morpeth Station worth a mention.

Resurfacing of the A197 between Mafeking Roundabout and County Hall starts on 8th July. The job is expected to take three weeks and will involve 24-hour working. The road won't be closed - but there'll be a 10mph speed limit.

The preferred options for Morpeth Cottage Hospital have been published and are out for another round of consultation.

Grants of up to £5000 are available for community environmental schemes. Deadline 16th July

A strong rumour that work will start on the long awaited town centre development on 2nd July

The A197 from County Hall to Mafeking Roundabout will have a 10mph speed limit while the County Council resurface the road.

Charter steam train Sat 19th May includes Newcastle-Benton-Newsham-Hepscott-Morpeth and back to Newcastle. Timetable given below.

Look out for the train in Morpeth Station at 3.30pm on Saturday.

Big changes in the make-up of the Council with Conservatives consolidating, LibDems making big gains - especially in Morpeth town, Labour being hammered and the Independents being practically wiped out.

According a national survey by Transport 2000, the North East has the worst (Durham-Newcastle) and the sixth worst (Morpeth-Newcastle) crowded commuter trains in the country.

On Monday 26th March, Sardine man begins his tour of the UK visiting eight of the most overcrowded spots throughout the UK, talking to commuters about their experiences and gathering evidence to present to Douglas Alexander in order to influence the Rail White Paper due this summer. There will be a sardine man website documenting his experiences.

Northern Rail have introduced their ‘Duo’ ticket on rail services between Morpeth and Newcastle.

Northumberland CC have offered to provide a number of perspex bus stop shelters - some replacing the concrete and wood structures maintained by Morpeth Town Council

The Town Council have consulted on a variety of locations - with a split in views between people who want the shelters and immediate neighbours who have fears of 'unruly gangs of youths' congregating at the shelters

So - without any clear policy in place - the Town Council have just deferred any decisions, so no new shelters for the time being!

On May 3rd – all 33 Borough Council seats and all 15 Town Council seats will be up for election.

Get your nomination papers now! They’re available from 14th March from Annie Howliston, the Borough Elections Officer – tel Firstcall on 535000 – and need to be returned by 4th April.

There’s no deposit or charge to stand in the local elections (though you may want to spend some money on a leaflet) – and you need just ten people from the ward to sign your nomination paper for the Borough – and two signatures to stand for the Town Council.

And – recent legislation means that 18-year olds can now stand as candidates.

Another consultation - this time ‘Local Development Framework Preferred Options’ – deadline for comments 31st March.

Don’t be put off – this is the Local Plan – probably the most influential policy the Borough Council sets – it last fifteen years and defines where and how many houses will be built, where and how much employment land will be allocated, defines the boundaries of the Green Belt – and sets the framework for all Planning Committee decisions.

A traffic warden was on duty in Morpeth last Thursday. The Chairman of the Town Council gave him an official welcome - read all about it in the Morpeth Herald (with pics!)

Castle Morpeth Local Strategy Partnership is currently consulting on a Sustainable Communities Strategy. Deadline for comments 23rd March.

NCC Highways are going ahead with the 'raised junction' and changed priorities at the Morrison Rd/Fenwick Grove intersection but are not modifying the exits from Hood Street or Olympia Gardens.

The work should be completed by the end of March.

12th Jan
NCC Grounds crew grinding out the stump. Here's hoping they get the soil checked and remediated promptly so they can get the replacement tree in by March!

11th Dec
email from Graham Bell, NCC Highways Acting Area Maintenance Manager

"The current status of this tree is as follows:
• The existing stump requires grinding out, which we are waiting on Grounds division works who have this equipment.
• Sampling of the soil will be taken once the grinding operation has been completed.
• If the soil is OK a new tree will be planted.
• If not an appropriate treatment will be sought if possible.

The area Highway inspector was at this site with a representative from Grounds Division recently to discuss this matter and it is hoped that the grinding works will be completed soon."

You probably take notice of the A-G effiency ratings when you buy so-called 'white goods' like fridges, but did you know that, above the A-G ratings, there's an A+ and an A++?

Sunday December 3rd
Northern have introduced rail services from Morpeth via Cramlington and Newcastle to the Metro Centre on Sundays from 12th Nov to 17th Dec inclusive. See SE Northumberland Rail User Group website (www.senrug.co.uk) for full details
When combined with the GNER InterCity and Virgin Cross-Country Sunday services - this means that you can travel by train from Newcastle to Morpeth Christmas Farmers' Market

Thanks to all those who spoke to me about the wearing of white poppies for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday - both those who agreed with me and those who didn't.

The County Council have published their promised proposals for traffic management in Hood Street, Olympia Gardens and Fenwick Grove. All local residents should have received a letter. Deadline for comments is 10th November.

30th Oct: Having canvassed local residents' views - I have now made my own submission, which I've also uploaded to the Reports & Consultations page on this site. I will also be contributing to the Town Council and Borough Council responses to the consultation.

The Environment Agency is consulting on its 'Wansbeck & Blyth Catchment Flood Management Plan'. Deadline for comments is 26th Nov.

GMDT is perhaps the 'last, best hope' for regenerating Morpeth. To do this it needs community-backing and membership - in fact this is the only way to ensure that it is genuinely working in accordance with what the people of Morpeth want.

Get a membership application form tel 0845 0942 493 or info@gmdt.org as sign up as soon as possible to make sure you get your say.

From July 24th - the M17 local bus service no longer serves Lancaster Park. Instead the M3 service will provide an hourly service.

Northumberland CC have included a scheme for traffic calming and a 20mph zone in Hood Street, Olympia Gardens, Fenwick Grove and Thorp Avenue in their programme of road schemes for the coming year.

The Back Riggs (Dransfield) development has been given the go ahead by the Development Control Committee subject to archaeological findings and final endorsement of over 30 conditions - so what happens now?

The planning application will be determined on Weds 17th May - 6pm Longhirst Hall - at a special meeting of the Development Control Cttee - open to the public.

In my view - Back Riggs is in urgent need of redevelopment, and the new 'Dransfield' proposals are broadly the scale and type of development Morpeth needs.
I do have some specific concerns though - notably the proposal to build a filling station on the north end of Geoff Brown's (Waulk Mill) Field. My comments to the Development Control committee are given below:

Northumberland CC are considering prohibiting right turns on Whorral Bank into the Household Waste Recovery Centre or Climbing Tree Farm

The dead copper beech tree has been removed - there are plans to replace it....

Yes - the website www.magic.gov.uk does exist!

There is a (fairly) new email based list, called ‘freecycle Toon’ for people to get rid of surplus items. It is not for selling items – you offer them free, whoever wants them sorts out collection.
It is sort-of Newcastle based, but members do span the whole North East.
The more people who join the better it will work.

The superb copper beech tree on the corner of Bullers’ Green has died because some idiot dumped a load of uncontained rocksalt next to it, and comprehensively poisoned it.

I have requested the Town Council to replace it under their ongoing tree planting programme. However concerns have been expressed that replacing the tree may interfere with plans to re-format car parking on the Green.

What do local residents' want done?

The Freedom of Information Act has just come into force and the The Campaign for Freedom of Information has published a users' guide to the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and new rights to see personal data about yourself held by public authorities. The guide covers both the UK and Scottish legislation.

One of Tyne Bridge Friends of the Earth members, Alice Massey, has been instrumental in setting up an online recycling directory for the North East. Check it out online at www.vonne.co.uk/issues/environment/recycling.htm
and encourage people you know to use it.

CMBC has submitted questions to the four train operating companies bidding for the InterCity East Coast franchise arguing for improved intercity services calling at Morpeth station.

The Council is undertaking feasibility studies into options for the future of the Chantry - which will be reporting back at the end of March. They will not be hypothetical - if local people and organisations willing to to commit to running a Trust and/or running the Craft Centre, these options will not be pursued.

Morpeth Town Council is calling for suggestions for tree planting - new or replacement - in Morpeth as part of their annual programme. Contact me, or any other Town Councillor - or the Town Council direct (tel 514314) with your suggestions.

Public consultation by Trinity Development Ltd has been delayed by a need to revise proposed bus and pedestrian movements. Pre-application consultation is now expected to start mid-end November, with a planning application submitted in January.

Although the powers and functions on offer are nothing very exciting and the linkage with local government reorganisation is totally inappropriate – North East England Green Party support the campaign for an elected Regional Assembly and urge people to vote YES in the Referendum.

Most of the powers on offer already exist at regional level, but exercised by unaccountable bodies, like One NorthEast. And, even if we do not choose an elected Regional Assembly, powers will still go on being concentrated at a regional level. The Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 abolished County Structure Plans and made the existing appointed and unaccountable ‘regional assemblies’ responsible for the new Regional Spatial Strategy.

The elected Regional Assembly will mainly be taking on functions already operating at regional level. Powers may have already been taken from local authorities but not having an elected Regional Assembly won’t give them back.

We’re told that an elected Regional Assembly will have a £350million grant from national government (taken from regional QUANGOs that get it now) plus a £100million ‘new money’ sweetener.
We’re told that an elected Regional Assembly will cost £3.5million to run, and this will be raised through Council Tax – around £25 a year on D-Band properties. That’s the first year – they can then choose to raise this, but the Scottish Parliament haven’t exercised their powers to raie income tax, so its unlikely we’ll see much of an increase if any. And in rural areas, the Unitary Authorities should run at lower Council Tax rates than the existing two tier system – so there should be a net saving

So the NE England Green Party are in favour of elected Regional Assemblies, and even though what is on offer is not much good, its better than the nothing we have at the moment. Regional decisionmaking is increasingly taking place and it should be accountable. We would expect an Assembly to gain powers as it matures. If we don’t go for an elected Assembly now, it’ll be 25 years before we have another chance.

The Highways Agency are consulting on the route for new dual carriageway between Morpeth and Felton. Exhibition in the Town Hall Thurs 23rd Sept and Fri 24th Sept.

New Economics Foundation (NEF) are sking people to complete a survey of their town's shopping facilities. They are concerned that towns are becoming indistinguishable clones with the same range of high street chain stores. The survey is on ther website - but I've also uploaded it to the 'Reports' section of this website.

The Council has just published it's input into the developer-led consultation on the proposed Back Riggs Development. It is in the form of Development Principles and will be considered as a report to GMC on Tues 21st September. It should be somewhere (else) on the CMBC website - but in case you can't find it, I've uploaded to the 'Reports & Consultations' bit of this website.

The Council cannot afford to continue to operate Morpeth Chantry under current arrangements - and is seeking alternatives urgently. I would personally prefer to see a 'community-led' solution than a 'commercial' solution and I am keen to hear from people interested in pursuing this.

The last part of North Ward should have received its blue bins by the end of this week. The start of two-weekly collection cycle has slipped a month and will now begin w/b 5th July (that'll be Thursday 8th July for most).

The Boundary Committee have proposed two options:
- one countywide unitary
- two unitary authorities: SE Northumberland and Rural Northumberland

The referendum will be held on November 4th - and will be an all-postal ballot.

Peace campaigners in Morpeth are starting a monthly Vigil for Peace. It will be held on 11th of every month - starting on May 11th - from 5.30-6.30pm on the Market Place opposite the Town Hall. Everyone is welcome - for all or part of the time - and bring your own candle or placard. And - yes, the police have been notified!

The Council is looking to put together a 'Green Travel Scheme' so that staff, councillors and the public do not have to rely on using cars to get to the Council offices when we all move out to Longhirst

Just in case you haven't noticed: all the chestnut trees in the refurbished Market Place are coming into very healthy leaf.

Blue bin collections are starting from 1st April and the collection schedule has gone out with the Council Tax notices - but not everyone in Morpeth has a blue bin yet. Instructions are:
If no one in your street has a blue bin - put out the black bin as usual
If your neighbours have a blue bin and you haven't - you've been missed out: contact the council on 535000

Don't be surprised if you come home to find a vivid blue bin on your doorstep - it's the roll-out of the promised 'twin bin' system across the Borough. There should be an explanatory leaflet with your council tax notice when that comes out - its just that some people are getting the bins before getting the leaflet.

The Environment Agency will shortly be commencing works (if they haven't started already) to remove low branches, fallen limbs or partially collapsed trees from the channel of the Wansbeck between Low Ford Bridge & Morpeth Town centre.

Les Collingwood at the Environment Agency is the person dealing with this matter & he can be contacted on (0191) 2034097.

The council's Policy Committee have gone against Scrutiny recommendations and chosen to retain taxi vouchers in the Council's Concessionary Fares scheme and to charge £20 for an additional 'premier' bus pass to give travel across the county.

Over 20 people took part in an hour-long candle-lit vigil for peace on Sunday, 15th February 5pm - 6pm outside the Town Hall - including some who travelled from Alnwick and Tyneside.
There are now proposals being worked out to hold a monthly vigil.

On-Street car parking in Morpeth is in a mess - mainly due to the way restrictions are implemented rather than the restrictions themselves. Cars parked on pavements or without thought for others are creating hazards for pedestrians and impeding traffic flow.

You'll have seen the Council press release for the public scrutiny meeting on Tuesday 27th Jan. You can download the scrutiny report (which I lead on) from this site.

The North East will vote entirely by post in the European Elections on 10th June '04 - if recommendations by the Boundary Committee are approved by government.

The Newcastle International Airport Masterplan to 2016 is out for consultation. The Borough Council will inevitably be responding. I'd like to hear people's comments to help contribute to this.

The Boundary Committee's draft proposals for the structure of unitary local government in Northumberland are out for consultation. Responses are invited from the public and interested organisations. Please let me know what you think so I can feed your views into the Council's response.

Not happy about the local trains service?

Want to do something about it?

Let’s get organised

– and form a South East Northumberland Rail User Group

MorCred - Morpeth & District Credit Union - was registered with the FSA on 3rd October. It is now able to make loans to members. Tel 01670 503666 (answerphone) to receive information.