Latest news with #BarnardCastle
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
County Durham waste company fined after worker run over
A waste management firm has been fined after a young employee was run over by an 24-year-old suffered fractures to both feet while working for Farm XS (Northern) Limited in Barnard Castle, County victim had been with the company for two weeks when he was struck from behind by the and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Richard McMullen said the serious injuries were caused by "failures" at the business but the outcome could have been much worse. The HSE said the man had been working on a waste pile near moving vehicles with no separation between the two. It also claimed there had been no risk assessment carried out or a system of work created to protect people from the guidance states pedestrians and vehicles should be segregated when waste is being manually sorted and by law, employers must ensure traffic routes can be used without risking the safety of workers a hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court, Farm XS (Northern) Limited pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations. "This incident was easily avoidable by implementing control measures and safe practices to ensure that workers were not put at risk from moving vehicles, including clear segregation and safe refuges," Mr McMullen said."This should be a reminder to the waste industry of the need to consider workplace transport risks and to introduce appropriate control measures to separate vehicles and pedestrians."The company was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £4,285 in costs. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
County Durham venue's licence reinstated after brawl where pool cue 'snapped'
A County Durham venue has had its licence reinstated after a brawl where a pool cue and a ball were used as weapons. Barnard Castle Working Men's Club was ordered to improve after police raised concerns over the venue's management following the incident on July 12. Staff said they were 'horrified' by the disorder and vowed to prioritise the safety of customers in the future. Durham County Council's licensing committee agreed to hand back the licence following a hearing on August 7. A previous hearing was shown CCTV footage of a pool cue snapping in half after being used during the fight. Another individual is seen removing his t-shirt and concealing a pool ball inside it to create a makeshift weapon. Shocked representatives speaking on behalf of the venue said the individuals involved are not members of the Galgate club. Under the updated licence, a new designated premises supervisor will be appointed with an enhanced staffing structure. Additional CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the venue, with the current smoking area relocated to avoid disturbance to nearby residential properties. The new rules have also been introduced amid concerns from neighbours about an 'atmosphere of fear' locally due to continued anti-social behaviour. Martyn Radcliffe, who lives next door, said: 'Drunk members of the club trying to gain access to our rear yard by climbing our wall, threatening to attack us. Other residents have had club members threaten to throw garden furniture through windows.' Durham Constabulary confirmed it approved the changes. Allyn Walton, a solicitor representing the venue, said: 'The measures are not merely reactive steps but represent a fundamental shift in our operational approach, prioritising public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of public nuisance. Recommended reading: Former County Durham rural school to be converted into housing Bid to convert pub into housing refused by council Campaigners hopeful of saving rural County Durham pub after 'immense blow' averted 'We believe that the comprehensive and immediate actions demonstrate our sincere commitment to addressing the concerns that led to the suspension of our premises licence.' Tim Robson, licensing chair, said the committee was satisfied the venue could return to normal with the new conditions. He added: 'We hope to see no further incidents related to the premises, and I'm sure licensing enforcement officers will be looking at it over the next few months and years.'
BBC News
12-06-2025
- BBC News
HMP Deerbolt inmate dies after being found unresponsive in cell
A watchdog is investigating the death of an inmate who was found unconscious in his Dowson, 40, was found unresponsive on 3 May, 2025, by officers at HMP Deerbolt in Barnard Castle, County was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, given tests and put on oxygen but on 5 May, he was declared the Prison Service and Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) are investigating and will publish their findings at an upcoming inquest on 3 December. Ms Dowson believes her son should have been checked on more regularly due to his diabetes. She said: "The prison liaison officer stated that he was given breakfast and was found unresponsive at lunch."It sounds like they left him too long between checks."Raymond used to call me twice a week and he said that Deerbolt was rife with drugs and all the inmates were taking them and bullying him."A HM Prison Service spokesperson explained that prisoners had various options available to them to raise issues, including a written complaints said: "HMP Deerbolt prisoner Raymond Dowson died on 5 May. As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."Adrian Usher, the prisons and probation ombudsman, confirmed there was an ongoing independent investigation into the death of Mr said: "Our final investigation report will be made public after the inquest concludes." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- BBC News
Teesside stories you might have missed this week
From a forgotten WW2 air raid shelter to a town's parking row - here are some of the stories from Teesside you might have missed this week. WW2 air raid shelter found under playground A hidden World War Two air raid shelter has been rediscovered under a school workers were carrying out refurbishment work at Oxbridge Lane Primary in Stockton-on-Tees when they found a strange concrete manager Jason Harrison described excavating and uncovering the distinctive arch shape before realising it was a Lauren Amerigo said it was an "incredible discovery" that had fascinated the children, some of whom had been studying the era at the same time the shelter was revealing itself. Residents 'taking a stand' over fair parking ban Residents say they are "dumbfounded" that temporary parking restrictions have been imposed on their street yet the past 15 years, Durham County Council has put the ban in place to stop people on their way to Cumbria's Appleby Fair parking outside homes on Bridgegate in Barnard temporary prohibition order states it is to "minimise a danger to the public caused by indiscriminate parking", with residents being asked to leave their vehicles in a car park 10 minutes' walk appealing to the council every year, residents say they are not being listened too, so are "taking a stand" and ignoring the restrictions. Parish council bullying probe cost more than £60k An investigation into claims of bullying, assault and unlawful use of public funds in a rural village cost a local authority more than £60, County Council launched a probe after members of Romaldkirk Parish Council were accused of being "dismissive and disrespectful" to dispute ignited over long-running land disagreements, with residents exchanging "toxic and threatening" WhatsApp messages. Four parish councillors were ordered to take conduct training after several complaints against them were resident, summing up the dispute, said: "I say to all my friends and family, if you think Emmerdale is something, move to Romaldkirk." Row over pigeon feeding ban in town centre Signs have been put up around a town centre warning people not to feed pigeons, ahead of new Borough Council is set to issue an updated version of its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) following health and safety concerns from residents and opposing the council's plans to ban bird feeding in the town centre have said the pigeons should be "embraced".Several people commenting on the issue called on the Labour-led council to create a designated bird feeding zone. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- BBC News
Barnard Castle residents ignore Appleby Fair parking ban
Residents say they are "dumbfounded" that temporary parking restrictions have been imposed on their street yet the past 15 years, Durham County Council has put the ban in place to stop people on their way to Cumbria's Appleby Fair parking outside homes on Bridgegate in Barnard temporary prohibition order states it is to "minimise a danger to the public caused by indiscriminate parking", with residents being asked to leave their vehicles in a car park 10 minutes' walk appealing to the council every year, residents say they are not being listened too, so are "taking a stand" and ignoring the restrictions. Mark Carter, who lives on Bridgegate, said: "The letter says there's no waiting at any time. It's things like when we do our weekly shopping, it's impossible. "And people coming home late at night and having to walk back in the dark. For some of the older residents, that'll be quite frightening." Mr Carter explained Bridgegate residents had asked the council for temporary permits in previous years with no success, so he and others had decided to ignore the cones which were put up along both sides of the road."I don't agree with it," he said. "Even if they do give us fines, we're not going to pay them because we should have a right to park outside our own homes."Fellow resident Emily Brown has a four-year-old daughter and is also ignoring the restrictions this year. "They've offered us permits to park at the top of town but that's no good when you've got a little girl who doesn't want to walk to the car, then trying to navigate back through the traffic to get to school," she Brown added it had been "a long time" since travellers had tried to park in town and said the council should "stop discriminating against the travelling community".Dave Lewin, Durham County Council's strategic traffic manager, said: "We continue to work closely with partners, businesses, residents and members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities to provide a smooth transition through Barnard Castle."We welcome and value any relevant feedback from residents and road users and such feedback will be included in future discussions and considerations." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
