Latest news with #StevenageBoroughCouncil
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Holidaymakers should watch for 'apple pips' in hotel room when they check-in
Experts have shared tell-tale signs to look out for that could signify a bed bug infestation, with a few simple tips that could make all the difference to your holiday Specialists have revealed warning signs that could indicate a bed bug invasion. The guidance might prove particularly valuable for holidaymakers checking into their accommodation, especially after reports of bed bug sightings overseas earlier this year. According to one UK council, the problem of bed bugs is also growing nearer to home. Guidance issued by Stevenage Borough Council in July stated: "Bed bugs are becoming an increasing problem across the UK and Stevenage is no exception. Bed bugs do not spread diseases, but they are unpleasant, and their bites can, in some cases, cause severe irritation. "Anyone can get bed bugs and their presence is not an indicator of poor hygiene." It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. The council went on to describe the creatures as "small, flat, reddish-coloured insects about 6mm long", reports Bristol Live. It observed that this is "the size and colour of an apple pip," adding: "Before moving into accommodation, you should check for signs of bed bug infestation." Additional guidance from Bed Kingdom highlighted other indicators of bed bugs to look out for. Here's what you need to know... Peculiar odour Bed bugs produce a distinctive smell, and the specialists explained: "One of the early signs of bed bugs is a strange, musty scent lingering in your bedroom, despite there being no clear cause of it being there, such as a dirty pile of clothes. "When bed bugs feel threatened, they emit what is called alarm pheromones which have a faint smell of raspberries, coriander or almonds - and in severe bed bug cases, this smell will be mixed with the odour of dead bugs and shell casings which creates a rust scent." Bites If you wake up with "red, itchy bites," this could be a sign of bed bugs. Bed bugs typically feed on blood throughout the night and bite arms, hands, and legs. They often appear in clusters but can sometimes show up as single bites. According to the specialists, they are not usually dangerous, but some people can be allergic, so if you experience extreme swelling, seek help from a medical professional. Bed bug eggs can be hard to spot as they're tiny - just 1mm long - but they can be found by looking for anything that resembles small rice grains in the bed. They can be loosely stuck to different types of surfaces, typically the mattress seams and joints or behind the headboard. Shell casings The specialists explained: "Bed bugs shed several times during different lifecycle stages, meaning that their shell casings can come in different sizes - but you can spot them by their yellow, translucent appearance in the seams, folds and crevices of mattresses, or even other areas such as cracks in walls and furniture." Blood stains If you accidentally squash a bed bug after it has fed, the blood may seep out if you make sudden movements like rolling over in your sleep, so any unexplained marks could suggest the presence of bed bugs. Dark brown marks Tiny dark brown spots from bed bug droppings, about the size of a pen tip, might be found on mattresses, sheets, headboards, and even walls. These are smaller than blood stains and harder to spot, often accompanied by a faint, rusty odour that adds to the unpleasant smell. Live bed bugs Adult bed bugs tend to hide in various locations, not just in the bed but also nearby. In cases of severe infestation, they become more visible, making it possible to tackle the problem.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Multi-wheeled bins introduced in Stevenage recycling trial
A trial of wheelie bins with extra wheels has begun in an attempt to improve recycling rates for people living in is one of several measures being introduced by Stevenage Borough town has the lowest recycling rate in Hertfordshire at 39%, which is below the national average of 44%.Rob Broom, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said nearly £1m of ringfenced government money would be used to make "waste services easier to use for our residents". A cabinet meeting on Wednesday heard that 74 blocks of flats in Stevenage – 59 of them owned by the council – did not have any recycling provision, said the Local Democracy Reporting said people living there had "limited general waste provision", with purple bags instead of wheelie bins. They said the main issue was access, and it posed a challenge for council staff to safely move the money being spent, about £720,000 has been allocated to 41 blocks of flats, including the replacing of steps with ramps as well as improving existing bin stores and building new of the rest of the money will be spent on food waste collections. Officers said the high proportion of flats in Stevenage played a big role in the borough's low recycling leader Richard Henry said: "We did have a lot of people in our flat blocks saying 'We'd like to recycle but we can't', and that's one of the things we've listened to, we've acted on and now we're going to be delivering on."The work at the flats will begin in August and is expected to be finished next April. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bus station art approved despite cyclists' concerns
A sculpture is to be put up outside a bus station despite concerns raised by a cycling group. Stevenage Borough Council's planning committee have approved plans for the 2.5m (about 8ft) artwork, showing three stacked rocks, to be installed outside the entrance to Stevenage Interchange. Jill Borcherds, of Cycling UK Stevenage, said she was not against the work but the location was not suitable. But council officers said they had consulted both the highways authority and their engineers, and the location "would meet guidance for the space left between the sculpture and the edges of footpaths". Ms Borcherds said: "The concerns we are raising are entirely related to the location and certainly not the artwork itself. "People approaching the junction from all directions need to be able to see each other to share the space safely." The work was commissioned by the council from community group Junction 7 Creatives. At the planning committee meeting, Labour councillor Lynda Guy suggested the "great" sculpture could be placed on the other side of the bus station rather than being "plonked" down in the intended location, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Liberal Democrat Stephen Booth, the leader of the opposition, suggested it could be moved "to front the actual bus station so that passers-by, motorists will see it and it would be a more suitable location". The artwork is part of a wider scheme featuring mosaics "which will all tell a story with regards to Stevenage history and also personal journeys of the residents living in Stevenage", said planning officer Ailsa Davis. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Firm pulls out of £6.1m electric bus scheme Plan for leisure centre to replace swimming pool £350m town centre revamp plans signed off Stevenage Borough Council Junction 7 Creatives Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Plan for leisure centre to replace swimming pool
A swimming centre could be demolished and replaced with a new sports and leisure facility. A planning application has been submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, which owns the swimming centre site on the edge of the town centre. The plans include a 25m, 10-lane competition swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, a splash pad, and sauna and steam rooms. It would have a six-court sports hall, a fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, a spin studio, soft play and a café. The proposed building is between three and four storeys high with the main entrance facing the Town Centre Gardens. There would be 53 parking spaces – a loss of 38 compared with the current provision – including accessible electric vehicle charging spaces. It is expected to be open from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 20:00 at weekends. If approved, the new facility would be built on the existing car park to the south of the swimming centre. The current facility would remain operational until the new one opened, as first reported by The Comet. A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The [1960s] building has been subject to incremental refurbishment over the years, but is no longer fit for purpose and is in need of replacement." Part of the funding would be from the government's Towns Fund, after Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m towards the town's regeneration in 2021. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Gladiator ready to hang tough at £25m gym opening Work on £31.5m leisure centre starting in autumn Two swimming pools to close due to funding issues Stevenage Borough Council
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plan for Stevenage leisure centre to replace swimming pool
A swimming centre could be demolished and replaced with a new sports and leisure facility.A planning application has been submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, which owns the swimming centre site on the edge of the town plans include a 25m, 10-lane competition swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, a splash pad, and sauna and steam would have a six-court sports hall, a fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, a spin studio, soft play and a café. The proposed building is between three and four storeys high with the main entrance facing the Town Centre would be 53 parking spaces – a loss of 38 compared with the current provision – including accessible electric vehicle charging is expected to be open from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 20:00 at weekends. If approved, the new facility would be built on the existing car park to the south of the swimming current facility would remain operational until the new one opened, as first reported by The Comet.A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The [1960s] building has been subject to incremental refurbishment over the years, but is no longer fit for purpose and is in need of replacement."Part of the funding would be from the government's Towns Fund, after Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m towards the town's regeneration in 2021. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
