Local News

A round up of Local News in Redcar and Cleveland for 4th February 2016

Cleveland Police have confirmed that all but one of the police stations in our area are to close to the public.

Front desks at Redcar Town, Eston, South Bank, Guisborough, Saltburn, and Loftus will all close. In other parts of Teesside, desks at Billingham, Thornaby and Coulby Newham will also close.

Only the four district headquarters at Kirkleatham, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton will continue to operate a front desk which is available to the public. However these stations will see a reduction in opening hours and only operate between 8am and 8pm.

The force has defended the plans, saying that a shift in public behaviour means that more people are using the telephone or social media to connect with officers. It says receptions are rarely used these days, with a recent survey showing that over a three month period, stations at Eston, South Bank, Guisborough, Loftus, and Saltburn had less than one visit per day on average. Redcar town office was only marginally higher.

The closures will mean that more than 70 civilian jobs will be lost as the force tries to make savings of nearly three million pounds a year.

A local councillor is calling on Loftus Town Council to act in the public's best interests and temporarily close the public toilets on Water Lane in the town.

Loftus Ward Borough Councillor, Councillor Wayne Davies has told Zetland FM that there have recently been numerous incidents of drug paraphernalia being left in the toilet cubicles, causing a massive risk to the general public, including children and staff.

The toilets are owned by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, but managed by Loftus Town Council, and recently the toilets have seen a huge increase in drug related debris being found by members of staff from the town council.

Speaking to Zetland FM, Councillor Davies said that he thinks closing the toilets is the only option available at the moment.

People living in the Eston area will be able to find out more about plans by the local NHS to replace the walk in centre at Low Grange with improved access to GP services at a consultation event this coming Saturday, the 6th February.

The event will take place at Inspire2Learn @ Eston Civic and Learning Centre, on Normanby Road from 12.30pm til 2.30pm.

NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group (or CCG) plans and funds the majority of health services on behalf of the local population and has launched a public consultation on changes to urgent care services across Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

The CCG is planning to replace walk in centres at Low Grange in Eston and Resolution at North Ormesby with improved access to GP services from either 4, 6 or 8 extended hours GP centres that will be open 7 days a week.

The CCG wants to make better use of its £8.4 million urgent care budget by simplifying services, reducing duplication, and ensuring that the free to call NHS 111 service plays a more prominent role in the future of urgent care services.

People are encouraged to reserve a place at the event by contacting 01642 745401 or visiting www.makinghealthsimple.org.