Cliff Rescue

A dramatic air sea rescue was launched after four young girls were trapped on cliffs near Skinningrove as darkness fell. The girls - aged 12 and 13, from the Brotton and Saltburn areas - were rescued in an operation involving two helicopters, police and coastguard teams. One of the girls suffered an asthma attack and was stranded in a precarious position just below the cliff summit. Three other girls were stranded lower down the cliff face. All attend Saltburn's Huntcliff School. After they sent a 999 call at about 4.30pm yesterday, the Cleveland Police air support unit was launched from Durham Tees Valley Airport and a Sea King search and rescue helicopter was scrambled from RAF Leconfield in Lincolnshire. All four were winched off and taken to James Cook University Hospital. A coastguard spokesman said it was unclear how the girls had come to be on the cliff in fading light. The police helicopter used its search light to illuminate the scene while one of the coastguard team inched down onto the ledge where the stricken girl was standing. The Sea King then used its powerful search light as it carried out the operation to winch all the girls to safety.

Learning Campus Planning Submission

Redcar and Cleveland Council is ready to submit its detailed planning application for the £16million Saltburn Learning Campus project next week. The Campus will provide a new secondary school to replace the existing Huntcliff School buildings and a new primary school to replace the two Saltburn Primary School sites at Marske Mill Lane and Upleatham Street. The development of the current Huntcliff School site will create a modern learning campus, expanding on the existing facilities of a Children’s Centre, Leisure Centre and Multi-Use Games Area providing life-long learning opportunities. The first of two phases is hoped to commence in July, with the building of the new secondary school, and the second phase, the new primary school, will be completed by September 2009, subject to planning approval. Members of the public attended the latest meeting at Huntcliff this week to see the proposals and designs for the development presented by Council officers and the project's architects, Aedas. The Council's Capital Projects Manager Lionel Danby, who chaired the meeting, said: "The plans for the new buildings were generally well received. We have also taken on board issues raised and noted them for consideration during further design development." Improved shared facilities for both schools and the community will include a sports hall, multi-use activity halls, changing facilities and remodelled playing fields. Enclosed wildlife areas and amphitheatres will form new outdoor learning areas for the schools while woodland areas and landscaping will be used to improve the visible aspects of the site. The inclusion of on-site parking, drop-off facilities and cycle storage is expected to alleviate public concerns over traffic management and control. A formal public consultation process will take place once the planning application has been submitted. The Capital Projects Team's website is regularly updated as design development progresses - log on to www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/capitalprojects and click on the Capital Projects BLOG on the home page.

Jewel Streets Refuse Collection Changes

At last the council has recognised the problems faced by residents in the Jewel Streets which have been compounded by the changes in refuse collection - rubbish now being collected fortnightly rather than weekly. Many properties in this area are multiple occupancy, many are upper floor properties which do not have any rear access and therefore cannot accommodate a wheelie bin except in the rear allies. These bins become targets and are often stolen, torched or vadalised and residents are left without a receptacle to accommodate their rubbish. Black bags and general rubbish are then dumped in the allies. This has become a major problem since the introduction of the fortnightly collection and many residents have complained bitterly about the 'overflow' and the resulting mess which is then an ideal target for attracting vermin. In an effort to address this problem the council has decided to install large container bins at the top and bottom of each alley. These bins will be clearly marked 'for domestic use only' and can only be used by the residents of the Jewel Streets. Unfortunately they will still only be emptied fortnighly in line with the current refuse collection calendar.

Whislt applauding the councils consultation with residents representatives and making a positive move to address the problem we still feel that the whole issue of refuse collection and the present recycling methods needs to be carefully reassessed so that the town does not become a 'plastic' jungle.

Review on paying to park...

Plans to introduce Sunday parking charges are being considered in Redcar and Cleveland. The borough says charging for Sunday parking is one of several options now out to public consultation. Sunday charging is proposed in pay and display car parks and on-street, short-stay pay and display places. Existing tariffs would apply, with a £1 Sunday tariff in long-stay car parks.The measure was among several outlined in a public notice. Seasonal charges at Saltburn promenade and the Cat Nab car park would be imposed all year round. Cabinet member for strategic planning, development and infrastructure, Councillor Eric Empson said: "We are looking at all parking throughout the borough and seeing where we can regularise some of the systems we have in place." He said there were "some anomalies" they hoped to iron out.He added: "I don't think it will stop people coming." Details of the proposals are in statutory notices in the Gazette, Herald and Post and Eston Town Hall.


* Comments need to be in writing by today to Richard Frankland, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services).

Disinformation:Fire in the Eye

To start the New Year off with a bang, Saltburn Artists' Projects is presenting 'Fire in the Eye (Painting with Electricity)', a highly interactive sound and light installation by the artists group Disinformation. This exhibition will allow members of the public to photograph their own shadows on a wall painted with phosphorescent paint - the substance that makes all glow-worms glow. The installation will also let visitors 'draw with light' directly onto the gallery wall with small torches. These portraits, graffiti and doodles will gradually fade, allwoing the next group to join in the fun.
The preview takes place at the gallery on Friday 19th January, from 7 -9.00pm. The exhibition continues until 11th March.
The Artists Project will host two days of shadow-puppet workshops during half-term. The workshops will give children aged 8 and over a chance to design a puppet and take it home with them. The workshops will take place from 10.00am -12 noon and from 1-3pm on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd February.