Local News

Motorists are being warned of expected delays as works at the A171 Swans Corner roundabout are stepped up today;

A number of arrests have been made as Cleveland Police have taken part in a national drive to destroy County Lines;

...and thousands of households across Redcar and Cleveland are in line for a one-off £150 energy bills rebate.

Motorists are being warned of expected delays as works at the A171 Swans Corner roundabout are stepped up today.

The programme being carried out by Redcar and Cleveland Council will see the removal of the existing roundabout, to be replaced with a lozenge-shaped island and widened approach roads.

The contractor Esh Construction moved in last week to set up their compound and mark out services at the site.

The major part of the works is due to begin from today, when an official closure to Guisborough Road from Gypsy Lane to Swans Corner is put in place and journey times are likely to be impacted.

A signed diversion route will be in operation directing all road users along the A1043 Nunthorpe Bypass and onto the A172 Dixons Bank then accessing Guisborough Road from the Middlesbrough end.

Other measures include keeping approach lanes from Ormesby Bank, Middlesbrough Road and the A1043 Nunthorpe Bypass open during peak times and operating lane closures under temporary three-way lights during off-peak hours only.

The works are due to continue until autumn. 

A number of arrests have been made as Cleveland Police have taken part in a national drive to destroy County Lines.

From March 7 all forces in the UK were focussed on tackling County Lines as part of coordinated work to disrupt those involved in drugs supply and exploitation of vulnerable people.

In the Cleveland Police area activity during the week included Operation Burford, the biggest operation against County Lines in recent years, where more than 100 officers executed warrants and dozens of arrests were made.

A series of drug warrants and proactive patrols saw 10 arrests made across the Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland areas.

Thousands of households across Redcar and Cleveland are in line for a one-off £150 energy bills rebate.

Last month, the Government announced plans to help with rising energy and living costs.

This includes providing funding to local authorities for a one-off £150 energy rebate for households whose main residence is in band A to D and discretionary funding to support households who are in need but are not in bands A to D.

Eligible households will receive the rebate in the coming months with bill payers who pay by Direct Debit credited to their bank accounts shortly after their April council tax instalment is taken.

For those who do not pay by Direct Debit an online facility will be made available on the council’s website in April for the bill payer to provide their council account details and banking information.

If a bill payer chooses not to provide the information the council will reduce their council tax bill by £150 instead.