Local News

A round up of Local News in Redcar and Cleveland for 19th January 2016.

Local MP's have reacted strongly to reports that hundreds of jobs are to be lost at Tata Steel's plant at Port Talbot in Wales.

Labour MP and Chair of the All Parliamentary Group for Steel and Metal Related Industry, Tom Blenkinsop, and Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, both claimed that the move was "another nail in the coffin for the UK steel industry".

Tom told Zetland FM that he offered his support for those workers affected at this difficult time.

He said that we've barely started 2016 and already the crisis within the UK steel industry has reared its ugly head. He condemned what he called "the Government's inaction", saying it is unpalatable, and accusing the government of sitting on their hands with regards to four of the five proposals from the steel summit, and allowing this crisis to wreak havoc on steel communities across the UK.

Tom said that none of those asks are about propping up the industry but providing it with a level playing field. He said this is going to be harder to do the longer they wait, particularly if China gains 'Market Economy Status'

Redcar MP Anna Turley added that having experienced the devastating loss of steel jobs in her own constituency, her thoughts are with the workers in other steel communities, particularly Port Talbot, whose jobs are now also at risk.

Anna said that she is asking the government to get behind the industry by taking action on Chinese dumping and uncompetitive business rates and give UK steel a fighting chance of survival. She said that they need to start delivering on their promises of support and prioritise UK industry over its cheerleading for China.

Anna said that inaction has already cost us one steelworks, it need not cost anymore if the government act now.

Police have published the results of their Christmas drink-drive campaign, and the figures reveal that officers caught over 180 motorists who were unfit to drive because of drink or drugs during the month-long crackdown.

At the start of December officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit joined the national campaign covering the run-up to the festive, and then New Year period.

Roadside checkpoints were staged at various locations in the two force areas and any driver involved in a collision, regardless of fault was breath-tested.

This was also the first Christmas campaign since the introduction last March of Drugwipe kits, which give officers the means to test at the roadside anyone they think is under the influence of illegal drugs.

From 1st to 31st December a total of 185 drivers were arrested across County Durham and Cleveland. Of these, 125 were arrested for drink-related offences, 46 for drugs and 14 for being unable to provide a specimen for analysis.

Chief Insp Mick Robson, Head of Roads Policing for the force, said that the figures demonstrate very clearly the need for officers to be vigilant. He said he was alarmed at how many people still think they can get away with driving whilst they are unfit to do so, and are willing to gamble with their lives and the lives of others.

And he was clear that future offenders will feel the full weight of the law, saying that during 2016 police will be continuing their rolling programme of casualty reduction initiatives, and there will be further campaigns targeting drink and drug drivers.

The Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Brenda Forster is hosting a charity horseracing night at Cleveland Golf Club on Majuba Road in Redcar on Saturday, February 6th.

The first race will be taking place at 8pm and tickets are priced at £5, which includes pie and peas, and a designated racehorse for the evening. If your horse wins its race, you also win a prize.

The evening is in support of the Mayor’s chosen charities, The Great North Air Ambulance and The Cystinosis Foundation UK.

You can purchase tickets from the Cleveland Golf Club or the Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart. For more information, please call Jane Holmes on 01642 444501 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.