Meadowhall in Sheffield says those who wish to stay can, due to ‘extreme conditions’ outside
People trapped by flood water in a shopping mall near Sheffield have been told they can leave but were warned there will be severe delays due to “extreme weather conditions”.
People at the Meadowhall shopping centre had earlier been told to stay put by police and not to attempt to leave the mall after flooding left roads gridlocked.
Continue reading...Closure of plant could threaten 220 jobs after being deemed ‘no longer viable’
Ineos is preparing to shut a chemical plant in Teesside which it has owned for the past 10 years in a blow to hundreds of workers in the north-east of England.
The chemicals company, owned by the billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, said “nothing can be done” to save the plant at Seal Sands, which is no longer economically viable.
Continue reading...Residents told to leave Whaley Bridge after heavy rains damage reservoir above town
Hundreds of homes were evacuated in a Derbyshire town on Thursday when a dam threatened to burst after being damaged during extreme rainfall.
Around 1,400 people in 400 houses in Whaley Bridge were told to leave their properties with just minutes’ notice due to “an unprecedented, fast-moving, emergency situation” caused by heavy downpours.
Continue reading...Rail firm privately backtracks on vow to MPs that fleet would be retired by end of year
Northern rail promised MPs last week its fleet of hated “buses-on-rails” would be retired by the end of the year, but it has emerged the firm had already privately warned the transport secretary it might have to keep some of them in service well into 2020.
Rob Warnes, the rail firm’s network planning director, told the all-party parliamentary group (AAPG) on rail in the north that all of its antiquated fleet of Pacers would be gone by the end of the year, according to Ian Mearns, the Labour MP who chairs the AAPG.
Continue reading...Brackenthwaite Hows is first site bought by charity specifically for its panorama
It is known for its stately homes and country mansions – and its bank-breaking car parks. Now the National Trust has added one of the Lake District’s loveliest views to its portfolio, after the landowners decided to share it with the nation.
The panorama from Brackenthwaite Hows was painted by JMW Turner in his 1797 watercolour Crummock Water, Looking Towards Buttermere, and offers splendid 360-degree views across the north-western Lakes. It was spotted by the artist on his first ever visit to what later became the national park, and was the basis for an oil painting he exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Continue reading...Firefighters tackling blaze on Ilkley Moor, in West Yorkshire
Firefighters are battling another blaze on Ilkley Moor, in West Yorkshire, a month after a devastating fire caused significant damage in the area.
Ten fire engines were called to the affected area and people were urged to keep away. West Yorkshire fire and rescue service later said the fire was largely extinguished.
Continue reading...Ring-tailed lemurs from neighbouring wildlife park will ‘help’ yogis to practise
We’ve had doga, goat yoga and anti-gravity yoga. Now lemurs have joined in the fun.
A luxury hotel in the Lake District has added “lemoga” to its wellness programme, for yogis keen to do the downward dog with a Madagascan primate.
Continue reading...Some major routes to be 208% over capacity by 2022, shows data compiled by Labour
Overcrowding on trains is at the highest level for years, according to official data compiled by Labour showing some major routes are to be 208% of capacity by 2022.
A study of government figures found the most overcrowded services were on average 187% of capacity in 2017, an increase of 25% since 2011.
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