Latest news with #Rotherham
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Popular splash park to have six-metre-tall ‘super splash' tipping bucket and interactive water play in £900k revamp
A POPULAR splash park is undergoing a £900k revamp that will be finished just in time for the summer holidays. A family favourite, Clifton Park's waterplay in Rotheram, is getting an upgrade after almost 20 years. 3 3 3 Fresh details have now emerged about the exciting redevelopment with planning applications now submitted. The environmentally-friendly revamp will feature a wider range of interactive features while retaining much-loved elements like fountains and paddling pools. The new £900k facility will include exciting high-impact features such as a huge six-metre tall "Super Splash" tipping bucket alongside water jets and fountains. There will also be interactive water play elements designed to provide a more inclusive and exciting experience. And it should all be ready in time for the summer holidays. In addition to the impressive new features, surfacing will be made safer and a new foot-washing station will be installed. Changes will also be made to allow for smoother circulation and new planting to support biodiversity. The area will also include an upgraded system for more efficient water use and children will be encouraged to learn about water conservation and the environment. A new plant system and plant room will be put in place which filters and recycles the water. Toilets, changing rooms, and the adjacent kiosk will remain in place and the surrounding green area used for picnics and relaxation will be preserved. The upgrades are designed to enhance access, boost reliability and continue to serve as a family-friendly attraction in the local community. Clifton Park waterplay was created in 2008 as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund project with children and families flocking to the splash park for years. TUI resort next door to giant waterpark Owing to its popularity, wear and tear started to have an impact resulting in continuous breakdowns. The project has been shaped by community feedback with a public consultation launched last year that received 200 respondents. They called for retaining the open space and existing play elements while adding a mix of new features. Capacity will remain similar to before with room for up to 600 people including spectators. Five new water attractions opening in the UK Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach. Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts. Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas. The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas. The Seahive, Deal plans to be the "surfing wellness resort" in the UK. Cllr Victoria Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Rotherham Council, said: "Our aim is for every neighbourhood in Rotherham to be a thriving neighbourhood, and part of that commitment is to enhance our green spaces like Clifton Park. 'The redevelopment the park's waterplay is more than just a face lift - it's a commitment to enhancing community infrastructure, promoting health and well-being, and creating a safe and engaging space for children to play. "We know how much residents enjoy the current facility. However, much of the equipment is outdated, with some features no longer working. "That's why we're forging ahead with a scheme that will replace old infrastructure and equipment and make sure that children are able to easily access a high quality waterplay facility. "This particular investment will encourage physical activity, family engagement, and environmental awareness and put outdoor play at the heart of the community.' Once planning approval is confirmed, work is expected to get underway. The revamped splash park will provide a major boost to Clifton Park's popular line-up of attractions. Clifton Park was named the fourth best UK theme park for 2019 by TripAdvisor. In addition to the splash park, it features a number of family-friendly activities including rollercoasters, mini-golf and a fun park for kids.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin says grooming victims need action, not more inquiries
West Yorkshire's elected mayor Tracy Brabin has again rejected calls for a new public inquiry into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the region, saying police resources must be focused on delivering justice and support for comments follow a BBC Newsnight investigation broadcast earlier this week, which featured women who were groomed and abused in towns and cities including Bradford and politicians again urged the mayor to back a fresh inquiry, arguing that survivors continued to be failed. But Ms Brabin said multiple inquiries had already taken place and that action must now focus on protecting women and girls from ongoing harm. "I will not use resources that are so limited on repeated inquiries," she said at a meeting of Bradford Council on Tuesday, after being quizzed by leader of the opposition Conservative group Rebecca said there had been multiple local inquiries already - and plenty of chances for politicians to have their say, but added: "The answer, surely, is to ensure that historic victims of CSE get justice, but also that we put resources into those perpetrators who are harming children and women today now as we sit here."We should make sure that there is no room for anyone to hide."Ms Brabin, who has previously spoken publicly about being a survivor of sexual violence herself, also highlighted the work of West Yorkshire Police's dedicated CSE unit, set up in 2016 to investigate historic said more than 200 offenders had been jailed for a combined total of more than 2,000 years. The unit's funding, previously cut, was recently reinstated by the current government, she said. 'Abuse absolutely everywhere' Ms Brabin said the law now required professionals to report suspected sexual exploitation, following years of what she called a "blind eye" being turned by "far too many people".She said she and her deputy mayor for policing and crime Alison Lowe - who is also a survivor - would "leave no stone unturned" in pursuing justice for mayor also warned that the profile of offenders and victims, and the "whole landscape" of sexual violence and misogyny was changing, and that responses must reflect this."Part of our challenge, and the West Yorkshire Police's challenge at the moment, is that boys of 14 are raping young girls," she said. "It is not just necessarily groups of older men who are exploiting young women. We cannot be caught out by looking in the rear-view mirror."This is not one problem for one community or one city. It is absolutely everywhere." Ms Brabin was speaking in the wake of repeated calls for a fresh inquiry, including by Keighley and Ilkley Conservative MP Robbie Moore recently met with Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, presenting her with new research."There is an overwhelming case for a full inquiry across the Bradford District, yet we have shockingly never had one," he said."To make matters worse, senior leaders in Bradford Council and across the West Yorkshire mayoralty continue to reject these calls."This shows that the government's current strategy is fundamentally flawed. "It allows local inquiries to be voluntary and therefore hands the power to refuse these inquiries to the very authorities that victims say failed to protect them in the first place." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Man who died in road named by Rotherham murder police
A man whose death in Rotherham sparked the launch of a murder investigation has been named by police as 54-year-old Gary Claydon was found unresponsive on Waddington Way in Parkgate at about 06:45 BST on Sunday and died at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him, according to South Yorkshire Police.A 53-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of Mr Claydon's murder had since been bailed pending further inquiries, a force spokesperson Insp Simon Cartwright, from South Yorkshire Police's major crime unit, said: "Our thoughts are with Gary's loved ones at this difficult time." Det Insp Cartwright added that officers were "working at pace to understand the circumstances of this incident that led to Gary's tragic death"."I am appealing for anyone with information that could help with the investigation to come forward," he added. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Man, 18, died in 100mph crash on M18 in car driven by brother
A teenager was killed in a motorway crash after a car driven by his brother spun out of control and hit a tree, an inquest has Mongan, 18, and his sibling John, 19, were travelling in an Audi when it collided with the central reservation of the M18 between Doncaster and Rotherham in the early hours of 7 September hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court was told that the vehicle hit a mound of grass and was "launched" off the verge and into woodland, landing 42 metres Audi was travelling at around 100mph and both men were thrown from the car. Patrick died instantly while John remains in hospital and has undergone several brain surgeries. The brothers were from Cottenham in Cambridgeshire but had been at a pub in the Doncaster area before the inquest heard that John's condition remains serious and he has not been told of Patrick's Yorkshire Police forensic collision investigator Steven Gardner said trees struck by the car had been "snapped in half" by the force of the added: "The car was a complete and utter wreck. It was airborne for a long time through those trees." Mr Gardner said that the Audi approached a car in front of it in the fast lane as it was overtaking a brothers' car closed the gap between the two quickly, and as the slower car moved left after passing the HGV, the Audi swerved right to avoid hitting driver lost control when the car clipped the mound on the central said the manner of driving was the "sole causation" of the crash, although the hillock also posed a Driving Standards Agency (DVSA) is also investigating the Audi's MOT provider as the airbags, seat belt pretensioners and rollover bar were all defective despite the vehicle having a valid MOT certificate. Knotted seatbelts The seat belts had knots tied in them, and neither brother had been wearing one, the inquest was Gardner said he was "alarmed" the car had passed its MOT and, although the failed safety features did not contribute to the collision, he said they may have influenced the severity of the injuries the men was also given by PC Natalie Booler, who said the Mongans had been involved in an altercation with a group at The Mason's Arms less than an hour before the officer said the pair were "shouting things to the group, unprovoked" in the pub car park, left, then came back again and tried to pull one of the men into the blows were exchanged in an incident which was captured on CCTV, the brothers got back into the vehicle with John in the night, Patrick had been driving when they had made off from a petrol station without Booler said she could not say whether or not they had swapped places in the driver's seat after leaving the pub but before the Gardner said this would have been "highly unlikely" as the distance covered by the Audi in a matter of minutes would have been unreasonable if factoring in a stop. The brothers' sister described Patrick as "happy-go-lucky, cheerful and upbeat" and said he had been close to coroner Nicola Mundy said that she was satisfied John had been the driver at the time of the ordered a Prevention of Future Deaths report into the presence of the mound of earth on the central reservation, pointing out that a "similar scenario" would unfold if another driver struck it at a lower Mundy recorded a conclusion of death caused by chest injuries in a road traffic accident. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Rotherham's Liberty Steel mill 'basically derelict', worker says
A South Yorkshire steelworker who has seen his hours slashed due to the lack of work described the situation as "grim and soul destroying".Lee Bradshaw is one of many employees stood down from their shift for nearly a year due to the stalling of operations at Liberty Steel in Speciality Steels produces steel from scrap metal, but the company has been unable to buy the scrap needed because of financial problems and unpaid debts.A Liberty Steel spokesperson said continuing to pay staff on short-time working hours displayed its "deep commitment to supporting Speciality Steel despite sustained challenges in the UK steel sector". Mr Bradshaw, a team leader who started working in steel mills in 1985, said his current options were attending the melting shop where he was employed or staying at home for 80% of his salary."We've had short-time working since Covid," he said. "First it was the odd week, then the odd three weeks and since last July our furnaces haven't struck a light."On the days he goes to the melting shop, he said there was very little to do. "There's painting and sweeping and I take myself on a walk around the plant, but it's basically derelict," Mr Bradshaw said. "There's nothing worse than a steel mill that's not working, it's like walking around a museum."From what it was, hard manual work, to now be pushing a brush around and being told to do some weeding – that's not what people got a job there for, it's a waste of skills."Liberty Speciality Steels avoided a winding up order last month after lawyers representing the firm said talks with a third-party purchaser had been taking place.A final decision was adjourned until 16 July to allow time for the sale of the company to go through. A spokesperson for Liberty Steel said: "Even during extended periods of inactivity, we have continued to meet operating costs, pay wages, and sustain the business. "We will keep fighting to secure a long-term, sustainable future for Speciality Steel. "We are actively exploring every viable option protect the business as a going concern."Rotherham's Labour MP Sarah Champion described the situation as "absolutely unfathomable", adding: "Why is it that such a potentially profitable business isn't up and flourishing?"We hear snippets of information about Liberty, the workers are desperate and deserve information, but at the moment we're just in a fog." She added: "We've got a really good product, we know there's a market there. So why aren't we at full capacity right now?"Mr Bradshaw said he could choose to retire and start receiving his pension, but he believed the plant would reopen and wanted to be there when it did. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
