Latest news with #GreatYarmouth
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Mapped: The summer holiday beaches flooded with sewage
One of Britain's best beaches is among dozens blighted by sewage spills as school summer holidays begin. Swimmers are being urged to think carefully before entering the water at Gorleston-on-Sea in Great Yarmouth after heavy rain over the weekend set off storm overflows. The beach, named the 23rd best in Europe by TripAdvisor in 2025, is among 139 coastal locations around the country where sewage has been released over the past two days. Others include popular seaside resorts in Cornwall, Sussex and the North East. Labour has sought to prove it still maintains a grip on water companies after a scathing independent report by Sir Jon Cunliffe, a senior civil servant. Sir Jon said water bills were set to rise by 30 per cent in the next five years and compared the water crisis to the 'Great Stink' of 1888, in which untreated human waste and industrial effluent produced putrid smells and rampant disease. 'I have more than once thought of the Great Stink when leading the Independent Water Commission on water over the last nine months,' Sir Jon said in a speech in London, adding: 'In recent years, some companies have manifestly acted in their private interest but against the public interest and that must be prevented in future.' Responding to the review, the Environment Secretary announced the Government would scrap Ofwat, the water regulation authority, as part of the 'biggest overhaul of water regulation in a generation'. But Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), a marine conservation charity, dismissed the move as 'toothless tinkering' and demanded the Government commit to tangible reform. It said: 'Voters are tired of swimming in sewage and drowning in ever-rising bills.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council bids to upgrade Gypsy and Traveller site
Facilities at a Gypsy and Traveller site could be improved after a council cabinet approved a bid to be submitted to the government. Great Yarmouth Borough Council in Norfolk heard water pipes at the 18-pitch Gapton Hall site often froze in winter because they were not buried at a sufficient depth. The electricity supply was also deemed to be underrated and the suitability of toilets and shower facilities on the site was also questioned. One resident, Kerry, 42, said: "It is very hard in the winter with the pipe works and water freezing which means you can't do your washing, you can't shower, you can't boil the kettle. It is very, very difficult here." Kerry, an English Romany, has two children, one at nursery age and the other attending school, has lived on the site for eight years. She said the utilities were not fit for purpose. "Cooking-wise, it's not too bad, but with the electrics, you can either have the microwave or the oven on," she said. "You can't do your washing at the same time; you can't boil the kettle at the same time the oven is on or it will trip out. It has to be one or the other." She said she kept a water butt and used it to flush the toilet if the pipes were frozen. The authority, which has used Homes England grants to improve council housing stock, said it hoped to access a ring-fenced pot of money specifically aimed at provision and improvement of traveller sites, which councils are legally required to provide. Melanie Holland, the authority's head of strategic housing, said: "It's really important; we've got families on that site and it's important we meet modern standards, but utilise government funding to pay for this. "Its all about meeting need, and being able to prove a viable bid to improve the circumstances of people living on that site. "It doesn't currently meet modern standards; the families don't currently have their own utility blocks and there's issues with the utilities." Emma Flaxman-Taylor, Conservative cabinet member for housing, said as well as the pipes issue, the whole site needed a "complete look-over and regeneration". "Most of the tenants have been there for a very long time and they're happy with the area, so we need to improve it so they can continue to do so," she said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links Views sought over Gypsy and traveller site plans 'Prejudice against travellers is still shocking' Related internet links Great Yarmouth Borough Council
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Great Yarmouth Borough Council bids for Gypsy Traveller site cash
Facilities at a Gypsy and Traveller site could be improved after a council cabinet approved a bid to be submitted to the Yarmouth Borough Council in Norfolk heard water pipes at the 18-pitch Gapton Hall site often froze in winter because they were not buried at a sufficient electricity supply was also deemed to be underrated and the suitability of toilets and shower facilities on the site was also resident, Kerry, 42, said: "It is very hard in the winter with the pipe works and water freezing which means you can't do your washing, you can't shower, you can't boil the kettle. It is very, very difficult here." Kerry, an English Romany, has two children, one at nursery age and the other attending school, has lived on the site for eight years. She said the utilities were not fit for purpose."Cooking-wise, it's not too bad, but with the electrics, you can either have the microwave or the oven on," she said."You can't do your washing at the same time; you can't boil the kettle at the same time the oven is on or it will trip out. It has to be one or the other."She said she kept a water butt and used it to flush the toilet if the pipes were frozen. The authority, which has used Homes England grants to improve council housing stock, said it hoped to access a ring-fenced pot of money specifically aimed at provision and improvement of traveller sites, which councils are legally required to Holland, the authority's head of strategic housing, said: "It's really important; we've got families on that site and it's important we meet modern standards, but utilise government funding to pay for this."Its all about meeting need, and being able to prove a viable bid to improve the circumstances of people living on that site."It doesn't currently meet modern standards; the families don't currently have their own utility blocks and there's issues with the utilities." Emma Flaxman-Taylor, Conservative cabinet member for housing, said as well as the pipes issue, the whole site needed a "complete look-over and regeneration"."Most of the tenants have been there for a very long time and they're happy with the area, so we need to improve it so they can continue to do so," she said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Myleene Klass shares heartfelt tribute to her old school where she now works as a fire tears through the building - just days after she received her MBE
Myleene Klass has shared a tribute to her former school where she now works after it had to be evacuated on Friday when a fire ripped through the building. Emergency services with called to the Cliff Park Primary Academy in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk just after 1pm on Friday. The fire erupted whilst pupils celebrated the final day of the term before the summer holidays when they all had to be evacuated for their safety. Now, singer Myleene, 47, has revealed that the school in question was her own alma mater, where she now mentors students. Taking to her Instagram Stories, the TV presenter shared a snap of the blaze as thick black smoke billowed into the air. She wrote: 'This is my old state school that I now mentor at. 'To Cliff Park teachers and pupils, I'm glad that you are all safe. I'm told the teachers did a phenomenal job of getting you out. 'I'm sorry your last day of term looked like this, I'm relieved you're all ok. Sending my love.' In a follow-up message, Myleene shared a news article about the blaze, adding: 'Well done once again to my colleagues and teachers for getting the children out safely.' Norfolk Constabulary confirmed that all children were accounted for and safely evacuated from the building. In a statement, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service added: 'We sent crews from Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Acle and Carrow as well as the Control Unit from Wymondham and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Great Yarmouth,' it said. 'The fire is under control, no-one has been injured. 'We'd like to thank the school for performing a quick and full evacuation. 'Initial crews provided proactive firefighting techniques to quickly bring the fire under control and they are now dampening down the fire. 'The cause of the fire is currently unknown and an investigation has already started.' Meanwhile, police added: 'Police were called to Orde Avenue, Gorleston to assist the fire service at 1.20pm today, with a fire at a school. 'Kennedy Avenue and Bridge Road were closed whilst emergency services attended the scene. 'No one was injured.' It comes just days after Myleene was honoured with an MBE for her services to women's health, miscarriage awareness and charity at an investiture ceremony on Wednesday. Myleene then shared a clip on Instagram showing the highlights from the afterparty - although the number one star appeared to be her son Apollo, five, who supported her throughout the event. The star couldn't look prouder of her achievement, as she was captured partying it all up with pals, including the likes of Christine Lampard, Nicole and Natalie Appleton. A stunning two-tier cake was made with a crown on top, while royal-themed photo props were spread about the room as Myleene recorded herself having fun.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Huge fire breaks out at primary school as thick smoke billows into the sky
A HUGE fire has broken out at a primary school as firefighters continue to battle the blaze. Emergency services were called to Cliff Park Primary Academy in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, at 1.20pm. Thick plumes of black smoke can still be seen billowing from the building, on Orde Road. Pupils were led outside and have been spotted sitting at the end of the school field. Norfolk Constabulary confirmed all children are safe and accounted for. 2 2
