Local News

MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, has welcomed the government's draft Animal Welfare Bill which brings tougher animal cruelty sentences a step closer;

The demolition of a distinctive Redcar church building has begun;

...and Saltburns Victorian Cliff Tramway will be temporarily waving goodbye to its trams as the next phase of refurbishment work gets underway today.

MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, has welcomed the government's draft Animal Welfare Bill which brings tougher animal cruelty sentences a step closer.

The draft legislation, published today, would increase the maximum penalty for animal welfare offences from six months to five years' imprisonment.

At the heart of the text are the same provisions for tougher sentences introduced to parliament by Anna in her Private Members Bill.

Her bill was axed by the government back in February but has returned as part of the government's draft.

A seven week consultation on the legislation began yesterday and will end on 31st January.

The demolition of a distinctive Redcar church building has begun.

Demolition teams have moved in to knock down St Hilda’s Church on Mersey Road, which is known locally as the “Round Church” because of its unique design.

The church was opened in 1970, however in a 1999 structural report pointed out major problems with the building, including water leaks and cracked walls.

Experts began work last week to remove the foundation stone, and 15 rare glass pieces from the building.

Demolition work has then taken place this week.

The site is expected to be used for housing, with planning permission granted for 25 homes on the land.

Saltburns Victorian Cliff Tramway will be temporarily waving goodbye to its trams as the next phase of refurbishment work gets underway today.

As part of a scheme to give the tramway a makeover before it reopens in the spring 2018, the two carriages will be lifted off the tracks so they can be taken away for general maintenance work, painting and a mechanical overhaul, while major refurbishment works take place on the track itself.

To lift the carriages off the track, engineers Rapid Consulting will be bringing in a crane company to carry out the work, which is scheduled to take place today weather permitting.

The whole process is expected to take approximately six hours and should be finished by early afternoon.