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With just days to go until Northumberland is alive with the sights and sounds of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain, spectators are being urged to arrive in plenty of time to catch the action.

The Ovo Energy Tour of Britain, the UK’s premier road cycling event, is coming to the county on Monday 4 September, with world class riders cycling over 200 kms  between Kielder and Blyth, passing through 28 communities along the route.

To minimise disruption across the county, all roads on the route will be closed using a rolling roadblock system for around 40 minutes -  both 20 minutes before and after the cyclists are expected to pass through each community.

The closures are required to ensure the safety of spectators and competitors and will be managed by police motorcycle escorts.  While the closures are in place, pedestrian access will be maintained as will vehicle access for emergency services.

In some key parts of  the race, including Rothbury to Alnwick, Belford to Seahouses, Lesbury to Warkworth, the centre of Morpeth  and in Blyth town centre there will be full road closures which will have a greater impact on travel.

Although the road closures will be kept in place for as short a time as possible, they will inevitably cause some disruption  to both car and bus journeys.

Spectators are advised  to arrive in plenty of time to watch the race and residents who are going about their daily business  on race day are being asked to plan their journeys around the race, take a different route, or allow extra travel time.

Some key points and estimated timings along the route:
  10.15am    Start on Kielder Dam 11am        First King of the Mountains climb starts outside Elsdon, climbing  
                 to the Winter’s Gibbet 11:45am    Riders approach Rothbury followed by King of the Mountains hill
                 climbs up Debdon Bank and Corby Crag 12:10pm    Riders approach Alnwick 1pm      Riders approach Belford and head to Bamburgh 1.20 pm    Sprint through Seahouses 2pm      Sprint through Warkworth 2.40pm     Arrive in Morpeth via Amble, Widdrington and Ulgham 2:50pm     Arrive in Bedlington via Guide Post and Choppington 3pm       Riders pass through Blyth for the first time 3:10pm      Sprint  through Seaton Sluice 3:30pm      Riders race back through Blyth for the finish Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council, Councillor  Wayne Daley  said: “The preparation is almost complete and we’re ready to welcome the Tour of Britain, which will attract many visitors to the county, boost the local economy and showcase Northumberland’s magnificent landscape to a worldwide television audience.

“ The council has worked hard to minimise disruption for its residents while the race takes place but this is a major international event so there will be a number of road closures in place to ensure the race can take place safely.

“We will be working hard to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and would ask residents  to familiarise themselves with some of the details and timings of the route so they can plan ahead. ”

Access to Morpeth Bus Station, Morpeth Railway Station and public car parks in the centre of Morpeth will all be affected by the road closure between 2pm - 3.30pm  so visitors should plan their journeys around these times as routes around Morpeth are likely to be busy during this period.
There will be disruption to other bus journeys on 4 September, particularly with afternoon services. Details of all affected services are available via www.nlandtob.com

All health services will remain open and fully functioning during the Tour and access to hospitals and GP practices along  the route will be maintained, although in some cases diversions may be in place. Patients and visitors are advised to allow extra time for their journey.
 
Professor Chris Gray, medical director at NHS England Cumbria and the North East, said: “The Tour of Britain is sure to be an exciting event, but with the added influx of people in the area, this may put additional pressure on health services.

“If you are unfortunate enough to have a minor injury or illness, such as a sprain, strain, cut or fall, there are lots of options – ranging from pharmacist advice and basic first aid treatment to GP surgeries and NHS 111.  Please keep A&E for life-threatening injuries and severe symptoms which come on suddenly.”

For more details about Stage Two of the Tour of Britain, including maps detailing the route, road closures  and estimated arrival times of the race, plus information about events going on in your local area, visit www.nlandtob.com  
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Excitement is building for the eagerly-anticipated return of the Tour of Britain to Northumberland.
Covering 117 miles and passing through 26 communities, the world’s elite riders will descend on the county next week.
The race - one of the most prestigious dates on the cycling calendar - sees riders compete over eight days across the UK.
The Northumberland stage starts in Kielder Water and Forest Park and finishes in Blyth.
Here is everything you need to know about the event.
It is British Cycling’s premier road race and the country’s largest free-to-watch live annual sporting event.
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Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is to take up the baton of promoting mental health awareness across the county.

The Our Blue Light Torch relay is making its way across the UK’s emergency services and on Saturday, September 2 the baton will be handed over by bike from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to NFRS, along with colleagues from Northumbria Police.

Our Blue Light started in the north west of England with the specific aim of raising mental health awareness across all emergency services including fire, police, ambulance, search and rescue, the Prison Service and the NHS.

The arrival of the torch relay heralds the start of a week of NFRS awareness raising events in Northumberland, including a cycle ride, demonstrations of the service’s swift water rescue techniques and a walk from Craster to Bamburgh, which people are welcome to attend.

At the end of the week the torch relay will pass to colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and will also make an appearance at the Great North Run.

Station Manager Andy Davison from NFRS said: “Recent high profile incidents in London and elsewhere have really highlighted the work of the emergency services and the challenges and stresses we face on a daily basis.

“While the service already offers a range of support to promote both physical and mental wellbeing, it’s important we continue to realise that mental health issues can affect everyone and this relay is a great way of getting the message out there.”

Councillor John Riddle, Chair of Northumberland Fire Authority, added: “While working in the fire service is one of the most rewarding jobs, by its very nature it can be stressful.

“Their health and welfare is an absolute priority and we are delighted to be involved in this torch relay and awareness raising events.”

Anyone interested in joining the awareness raising walk on Thursday, September 7 can contact Andy Davison on (01670) 621186 or via andy.davison@northumberland.gov.uk

More information on the work of the charity is available via www.ourbluelight.com  
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Residents are being asked to play their part in tackling under-age sales in the county.

The sale of age restricted products happens throughout the whole of the year and Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards Service carry out regular test purchasing exercises whenever it receives complaints.

The sales usually centre around alcohol and tobacco but can include any age restricted product, including knives, solvents, fireworks and aerosol paints, e-cigarettes and liquids.

Apart from the known health effects of some of these products, issues can arise in terms of anti-social behaviour when some of the products are consumed or abused.

Currently there are few complaints being reported about the selling of age restricted to those under the legal age and the Trading Standards Service is asking anyone who sees or knows of shops selling age restricted products to report it to them so that action can be taken.

Councillor John Riddle, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Resilience said: “If residents know of any people selling age controlled products to young people, especially if they are selling alcohol or tobacco from their own home, they should report this to Trading Standards.

“If you are approached by a young person and asked to purchase alcohol, tobacco or e-cigarettes always refuse. Buying such items for under 18s can lead to a fine, fixed penalty notice or even a criminal record.”

Any concerns regarding age restricted sales should be reported via email to tradingstandards@northumberland.gov.uk

Any information will be held in the strictest confidence.

People can also telephone 01670 623870 and ask to speak to the Trading Standards Duty Officer.
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Up to 2,000 homes and businesses could benefit from funding to provide superfast broadband to more Northumberland communities.   Through the iNorthumberland programme, Northumberland County Council and BT have agreed a fund of £2.2 million to bring the high-speed technology to some of the most expensive and technically difficult to reach communities in the county.   The new iNorthumberland Community Broadband Fund works with a Community Fibre Partnership programme in which communities not currently in any fibre broadband plans can partner with Openreach, the local network business which is part of BT Group, to get superfast broadband in their area. These communities can now apply to use the new iNorthumberland fund, which can be matched by up to 50 per cent of additional private funding, on top of Openreach’s investment. If fully matched, the value of new broadband schemes could be more than £4 million.    The fund will offer up to £2,000 matched funding per premise for a superfast broadband connection or up to £2,500 for ultrafast - with a maximum contribution available to a single community capped at £100,000.   Each community will need to have a nominated person or organisation to apply for inclusion in the scheme.  They will be responsible for getting a community fibre broadband quote from Openreach and also required to arrange payment of the community’s contribution to the scheme when the contract is agreed.   Cllr Nick Oliver, cabinet member for corporate services at Northumberland County Council, said:  “I am really pleased that we have been able to agree the funding for this scheme, and to get the ball rolling for a number of communities who are geared up to sign contracts, and get work underway.   “We know that there is a high demand amongst households in these more hard to reach areas, and also that a number of businesses are struggling to sustain their current business models due to connectivity issues.   “Securing schemes through this funding will help to increase access to services and allow greater adoption of digital services for rural residents.  It will also help to grow the economy by both supporting existing businesses and encouraging new ones to become established in Northumberland.”   By the end of this year the iNorthumberland programme will have delivered superfast broadband to 93 per cent of homes and business in the county - and it is envisaged that through this new community fund it could reach close to 98 per cent.     These final premises are in some of the most rural and dispersed communities in Northumberland and providing connectivity to these areas has been both technologically challenging and costly.   The iNorthumberland team has been working with BT, Openreach and local communities and groups across the county with a view to progressing with this scheme, and some communities are already gearing up to sign contracts.   Some of the first communities set to benefit include Nunnykirk, Stanton near Netherwitton, Bolam, Pauperhaugh and Styford.   Steve Haines, managing director of next generation access for Openreach, said: “It is great to be able to work with Northumberland County Council and communities from across the County to find a fibre broadband solution.    “Openreach is committed to making fibre broadband as widely available as possible for households and businesses. The technology really does have the ability to transform the way people interact online.”   Simon Roberson, BT’s regional partnership director for the North East, added: “This additional fund is quite literally going to help superfast broadband go that extra mile, reaching communities that would otherwise be unlikely to benefit from faster broadband speeds. This is fantastic news for Northumberland.”   The iNorthumberland team will liaise with communities who have previously been in touch with the council or BT to support them through the process.     Those who are interested will need to register with the iNorthumberland team, who will be able to provide support in completing documentation and starting the process.   As well as the 50:50 funding option, there could be further opportunities for areas to become connected.  In instances where Openreach cannot provide a quote under the criteria of the fund, there will be secondary funding within the scheme which could be used to seek alternative network solutions, such as fibre via a different network provider, fixed wireless or mobile 4G.   The funding for the iNorthumberland Community Broadband Scheme has been made available due to efficiencies in the first phase of the iNorthumberland programme.   iNorthumberland, a partnership between Northumberland County Council and BT, has already made fibre broadband available to more than 55,000 premises across the county.   More than 40 per cent of Northumberland households and businesses able to upgrade to the new technology have already chosen to do so - a figure which is among the highest levels of take-up in the UK.   BT was awarded the iNorthumberland contract in April 2013, whilst the second phase contract was signed in June last year.    More than £29 million is being invested in the programme area by Northumberland County Council, the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) fund, BT and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).    For further information and details of how to contact iNorthumberland visit www.inorthumberland.org.uk
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Car tyres have been slashed in ‘revenge attacks’ following the death of a teenager in Bedlington .
Police have urged the community not to take the law into their own hands as they revealed the 10 vehicles targeted were not involved in the fatal crash on Sunday.
Bethany Fisher, 19, died in a crash on Victoria Terrace in the Northumberland town early on Saturday, reportedly after a night out celebrating her birthday.
Despite the efforts of neighbours and paramedics, she died of her injuries before she could reach hospital.
Jordan O’Donnell appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on Monday in connection with the collision.
Now Northumbria Police have asked the community to “come together at this difficult time and not take the law into their own hands” on their Twitter account.
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Getting excited about the Tour of Britain coming to the county?

Feeling inspired to go cycling - but don’t have a bike ?

We’ve got the answer !

If you are over 18,  live or work in Northumberland and would like to cycle more but don't have a bike -  you can borrow one for just £25 a month.

The Active Northumberland adult cycle loan scheme  is a the perfect way to get  back in the saddle  without having the expense of  buying a new bicycle.

And with the school holidays underway, it’s a perfect way to enjoy Northumberland with the family.

If after the month is up you would like to purchase the bike, you will be eligible to a discount which you can pay back over spread payments. Alternatively, you can purchase a refurbished bike through our cycling partner Watbike.

Northumberland County Councillor, Cath Homer cabinet member with responsibility for leisure said:

“ With  less than a month to go until  the Tour of Britain, the UK’s  biggest cycle race passes through the county,  excitement around the event and the sport is starting to build.

“ Cycling  is an activity that can be adapted for all ages and fitness levels.  It is also
growing in popularity. Many people are getting on a bike for the first time, and those who already cycle are cycling more often.   We hope the arrival of the Tour and our bike loan scheme will inspire more people in Northumberland to cycle more often. ”

Cycles can be loaned from Prudhoe Waterworld, Blyth Sports Centre or Concordia in Cramlington.  To find out more log on to www.activenorthumberland.org.uk or call 01670  542222 . You will need proof of your address and photo ID to hire a bike.

Watbike in Ashington also hire out bicycles for £25 for 10 days. Tel 01670 522111
 


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