11/06/2014 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

Hitting the buffers ` train passengers face reduced services

Train connections are vital, not just to Manchester but two lore

major cities. Hoping to be jobless in futtre,

UKIP's MEPs take up their sdats Lincoln City Council say

the Christmas Market cost them more The Queen's Baton relay arrhves

ahead of next month's We live in Hull where crowds have

gathered. From Scunthorpe to Sao Paulo ` just

24 hours to go until the World Cup. How long will the fine, sunny

weather last? Join me for all the details?

Train passengers in parts of East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire fear

that they could get a slower and less`frequent service across the

The Government has promised to spend ?1 billion on the rail network

in the North of England, yet some parts of East Yorkshire and

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers says the plans could see

the direct route from Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport scrapped

and that would be damaging for business and put off totrists.

As more of us are using the railways to get around, the Government's

pledge is faster journeys and better connections across the North.

There are concerns the direct link from Cleethorpes to

Manchester Airport could be scrapped when contracts are renewed hn 2 16.

It could mean that you use xour car to go to Manchester Airport, instead

of the train. It is quite p`cked in the holidays. We do get a r`w deal.

Transpenine Express currently runs 15 direct trains a day from

Manchester Airport to Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

The Government is consulting on plans to termintate

the Transpennine service from Manchester at Doncaster, replacing

it with a Sheffield to Cleethorpes service run by Northern Rail.

That could leave passengers bound for the North West with

We are on the verge of an economic renaissance for the area. Transport

connections are vital, not just to Manchester but two more major

cities. We should be extendhng the services, not restricting them.

That leds to claims this arda is missing out at the expense

The HS2 project doesn't include the electricfication

Transpennine is set to lose nine of its train units ` prompthng

worries about the number of services from Hull to Manchester.

The Government is investing ?1 billion over the next five xears to

improve rail travel across the North of England, but it says it lust

match that investment with the journeys passengers want to make,

and evidence shows that those travelling from Cleethorpes do not

cross the Pennines. They often stop at Doncaster and travel elsdwhere,

hence these proposals. That is a decision for the transport

Department and the future franchisee. Certainly at thd moment

there is a good market on those routes.

And commuters and tourists `like told me today they want a f`ir share

I spoke to the head of First Transpenine Express and askdd him if

he could guarantee that dirdct trains from Cleethorpes and Hull to

Manchester would continue after 2016. I cannot, that is for a

franchise specification isste, so it is for the department to answer that

question. In the immediate, yes it will absolutely continue. Wd are

expecting to run this franchise until debris 2016, and thosd

services to run throughout our ten year franchise. But having to change

when you travel from Hull to Manchester is a definite downgrade?

Yes, it would be and I think it would be a shame for those trains to

come off and we recognise significant market between Hull and

Manchester. We will be sharhng all of the numbers of passengers that

travel on that route with the Department of Transport to help them

in their decision`making. It is a difficult one for people watching

tonight in Cleethorpes, Grilsby Scunthorpe and Hull. Should they be

worried or not? I am not quhte sure I understand. I would urge people to

look at the consultation th`t the Department for Transport... People

are not interested in the consultation. They want to know

whether their trend will continue or not. Certainly to February 2016 ..

What about afterwards? After 20 6 the franchise is up for Read letting

so it is really a decision for the Department of Transport and the

future franchisee. Certainlx there is a good market on those routes and

we continue to support that market. And if you had those franchhse,

those direct trains would continue, would they? We certainly have

continued to operate them and I think we have to respond to the

specification from the department went that is issued, and we are

expecting that later this ydar. Do you think there will be dirdct

trains between Hull and Manchester between 2017, the year of chty and

culture? I would be very surprised if there were not. But you cannot

give a direct guarantee? Not at the moment. But I would be surprised.

With the same and to be between Cleethorpes and Manchester `s well?

Certainly there is a strong market there, about 25,000 journeys per

year operating between Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Manchester Airport.

Clearly that is an area of hnterest for the Department of Transport for

looking at that part of the specifications in relation to the

future franchise. Thank you. We would like to hear from you on that

issue. They'll be picking up more than

?10,000 a month in salary and expenses but today

UKIP's new MEPs insisted thdy hope The three newly elected polhticians

for Yorkshire and the Humber took up their seats

in Brussels for the first thme. UKIP says it wants to force

Britain's withdrawal from the Our political editor, Tim Iredale,

reports from the For UKIP MPs arriving in Brtssels

for the first time, they sax they are committed to Britain le`ving the

EU at the earliest opportunhty. I'm going to do my best to be the eyes

and ears and to push for Grdat Britain to come out of the T. As

UKIP's third choice candidate in the Yorkshire and Humber region, Hull's

Mike Hookem said he was surprised to be elected. I will be in thdre

fighting hard. Some may question why an antique party should turn up in

Brussels at all and take thd generous salary and expenses package

that the European Parliament has to offer. Critics say former UKIP MEP

Godfrey Bloom attended fewer than one in four votes in the European

Parliament. Their history so far has been not to attend, not to do very

much, leave it to the rest of us to do the hard work that represents the

best interests of Yorkshire and the Humber. The new members will receive

a salary of more than ?6,500 a month, plus a monthly allow`nce of

almost ?3500 to cover expenses. They also receive a travel allow`nce and

a daily allowance for hotels and meals. UKIP have accused other

parties of jumping on the Brussels gravy train on you now riding on

that same train? Far from it. We are the turkeys voting for Christmas. We

would rather get out. But one of the ways of doing it is by being here

and making representations to our constituents back home, sayhng what

the European Parliament is doing, or what isn't doing. So, unlikd most

jobs where people hope for ` long career, these newly elected MEPs are

already looking for the exit. Tim is in Brussels at the moment. We

heard about the salary and allowances. How does that compare

with MPs at home in Westminster If you are looking for a career change,

I can tell you that Europe hs the most lucrative option. MEPs earn

more than ?10,000 a year more than their Westminster colleagues. They

get day just for turning up here, so they can certainly afford to buy

their own lunches. Of coursd, we are told it is hard work. They have to

scrutinise a lot of complic`ted legislation, but I think UKHP have

to be careful they do not bdcome accused of being poachers ttrned

gamekeepers. The MEPs are there in Brussels saying they want to get out

of Europe and that is why they are turkeys voting for Christmas and all

that. How realistic is that? Let me run you through all the polhtical

parties was back positions. The Lib Dems want us to remain part of

Europe. The Conservatives h`ve promised an incorrect referdndum by

2017. Labour have not ruled out a referendum in the future. `` the

Conservatives have promised an in` out referendum. Today we have heard

about Turkey, Brussels, the gravy train. It sounds like the

ingredients of a Christmas dinner, so I can probably some of UKIP's

position in regards to the DU as two words per get stuffed. Thank you! ``

two words, get stuffed. There's been a large fall

in unemployment in East Yorkshire The number of people out of work

and claiming benefits in Yorkshire That's 12,000 fewer

people than last month. In the East Midlands,

which includes Lincolnshire, 14 ,000 A cyclist has died

in a crash with a lorry in Grimsby. The man, who was in his 20s,

was cycling through the centre Roads were closed through

the morning and officers ard asking Ten weeks ago, the green endrgy

giant Siemens announced that they'd Now, over the next two days

at a conference in Scotland, efforts are being made to attract other

companies to the area as well. The Siemens investment means there

are opportunities for firms to Our Environment correspondent

Paul Murphy is in Glasgow to see what interest there is

in bringing jobs to our are`. This conference is taking place on

the banks of the River Clydd, but the estuary many are talking about

here is 200 miles South. Sidmens' recent announcement that it is to

build a wind turbine factorx on the Humber is giving the region and even

bigger profile. It intends to make the most of it. We can demonstrate

well to the industry that wd have available land for developmdnt,

incentives for companies to move to our region, and we also hear to

maximise the potential of l`rge investments like Siemens our local

supply chain but also... Of course, there are many more suits hdre than

Southall wrote, but these mdetings and the frenzy of networking within

the conference hall are all about creating jobs. It has allowdd others

in the industry to put their own plans into place. We were all

waiting, everybody was hesitating, waiting for somebody else to make

the first move. Siemens has done it and now other people are putting

their investment plans into place, so we are looking forward to more

announcements later. Building wind turbines is technically verx

complicated and involves hundreds of different companies. This event

gives them a chance to get together. It is perhaps best described as

corporate speed dating. Deals are being done here, the future of the

industry is being mapped out. An event like this draws together all

the players... Robert's cos one of those considering investment in the

Humber as a result of this evening's investment announcement.

We are looking for someone that has a good skilled workforce and

specific facilities, for ex`mple a good heliport, and we see one there.

The waters around the UK have more investment in offshore wind than

anywhere else on earth. This event over the next two days is an

important shop window for the economy of the Humber.

Last year it cost half a million pounds to host

Lincoln's Christmas Market, and left council tax payers ?80 000

Now traders at this year's larket could face a 12% increase

It's hoped the increased ch`rges will help the event to break even.

We do not like price increases but it is inevitable. It is esthmated

that the market is worth ?12 million to the local economy but last year

it still cost the council ?80,0 0. Given that it is a commerci`l event,

it seems to us reasonable that the city will stand to benefit from the

event, to contribute to the cost of the overheads and the remaining of

the market. Why does it makd a loss? A big public event held in `

restricted area of an historic city said the challenges in terms of

public safety are immense and none of that comes cheap. That the

council insist it is not just about money. Every year the market

attracts up to 300,000 people to the city and it is hoped many of them

will return here throughout the rest of the year. And that is good news

for local businesses, but some still think the market needs a revamp We

have got to create that wonderful wow factor and make people want to

come back. I wonder if incrdasing the stores by 12%, it could have a

potentially damaging effect. A decision on whether to incrdase

stall fees will be made next week. We would like your thoughts on this

story. As the Christmas Market lost some of its sparkle or is it money

well spent by the city of Lhncoln Council? Let us know your thoughts.

The Queen's Baton arrives in Hull as it makes its journey to the

And getting in the World Cup spirit. The fans prepare for the

kick`off in Brazil. You are standing up. I use suffering

from piles or something? Just read the weather! The headline

for the next 24 hours is a lovely one, high pressure in chargd. Warm

with a good deal of sunshind. It has been a good day. 72 Fahrenhdit, 22

Celsius in Hull this afternoon. Just a bit of a hiccup on Friday, patchy

rain perhaps inching down from the North. A bit cooler and mord cloudy

at the weekend. So a largelx settled spell of weather on the way.

Although cloud did build for a time during the middle of today, it has

melted away, so it is a lovdly sunny evening across most parts of our

region and overnight it is dry with clear periods and we will sde

temperatures coming in at around ten or 11 degrees. 11 Celsius is 52

Fahrenheit. A light westerlx wind. So really, it will be a beattiful

start to the day. Lots of blue sky. Temperatures rise. Some patchy cloud

in places but I do not think that will spoil things, as there will be

good spells of sunshine through the morning and afternoon. The breeze

will be light. General onshore breezes developing on the coast

Beautiful conditions. 22 Celsius is 72 Fahrenheit. Some strong

ultraviolet levels. Friday, fine and warm and first but a risk of showers

developing later and the wedkend, cooler, cloudy, but mostly dry with

some sunny intervals. That hs the forecast. You will be repaid! I need

danger money for doing this programme!

The Queen's Baton has spent the day in East Yorkshire

and Northern Lincolnshire on its way to Glasgow for the start of

It's spent the day at schools in Hull and Grimsby,

The baton relay is a featurd of every Commonwealth Games and so far

it's visited 63 Commonwealth nations and territories in seven months

By the end of its journey, thousands of people will have

It contains a message from Her Majesty the Queen

which will be read out at the Games' opening ceremony on July 23rd.

This evening, the baton has been carried around Hull city centre

How is the baton being recehved in Hull this evening?

Very well, both by the sports people here and the crowd who have been

gathering to take a photo of it They are waiting to try out around a

dozen Commonwealth sports for themselves. It centres around the

city centre but today we have been following the baton on its tour

around the region. The Deep in Hull,

and an early start. It was just after 7.30 this morning

when the Queen's baton arrived for its day in East Yorkshire

and North East Lincolnshire. It has been a great honour. Just a

fantastic honour to be here today to do this.

Children from Victoria Dock Primary School in the

It is a once`in`a`lifetime opportunity.

The fish and penguins seemed unfazed by all the fuss as the baton was

Julie Williams carried it to the top of the Hull landmark.

It was an honour but it was frightening making sure it xou did

not drop it. over the Humber Bridge to the South

bank ` and to Humberston Ac`demy A short while later, the baton moved

on to Edward Heneage Primarx School in Grimsby, welcomed by the sound

of drums and a Commonwealth song. We had to practice at every break

time, every dinner time, to get it perfect. It is an honour for it to

come to our school. A short journey later, and ` rousing

welcome at another Grimsby @cademy. This afternoon it was anothdr trip

across the Humber ` It is a great day. I have bden

moved. A great day for the kids and fantastic smiles and enthushasm on

their faces and that has bedn wonderful.

This afternoon it was anothdr trip across the Humber `

I did not get to touch it btt it was just that far away from us so it was

awesome. A carnival theme welcomed

the baton to Wold Primary Academy. And the final school stop w`s

at Ainthorpe Primary School ` It has been absolutely fant`stic. We

have had a full day looking at its meaning and looking at what the

Commonwealth is. With an introduction to

the public late this afternoon, Anne Marie is still in

Hull's Queen Victoria Squard. This is it, the one and onlx. I am

not allowed to hold it myself. It has been under the ocean, to

Australia, around the world and now it is here in Hull. It is close to

the end of its journey. Onlx a few more days before it heads to

Scotland. Thank you. The World Cup is coming but it was diffictlt to

find any evidence of excitelent in our towns and cities today. We were

on the hunt for the elusive World Cup spirit. The build`up has

started. Just one day to go before Rio hosts one of the world's biggest

events. Get ready for a World Cup full of football. This is a Lincoln

Street but it is typical of many streets are have seen across the

county today. Distinctive void of any decoration or patria te`rs and

towards the English team. It is as if we were not even in the World

Cup. `` patriotism. I do not think anyone is bothered about it. We re

just enjoying the nice weather. Not excited at all. Not everyond in

Lincoln likes the World Cup. If you look in the right places, you will

find people supporting Engl`nd. At this point I would like to say,

thank you very much for the people of Blighty. Not just for thhs little

display but this street celdbration for the covering of one massive

flight on a house. I would like to see more flags up, on houses and

cars. In the past we have sden thousands of cars with flags. It

just is not happening this xear but maybe it will. The first gale is not

until tomorrow! Thank goodndss for the Lincoln flickers and thdir World

Cup Subbuteo competition. Players from all over the country are

converging on Lincoln. Each will represent one of the teams taking

part in Brazil. Who will yot represent?

Despite a ?1 billion investlent in the North of England network, train

Response coming in on the Lhncoln frequent

Response coming in on the Lhncoln Christmas Market. It gets us in the

spirit. Andy says, too much tact, not enough parking. It has had its

day. Jane says, surely if stallholders were down last year, a

12% increase in charges is only going to put more people off

coming, not encourage them. Neville says, the city of Lincoln Council is

making too many cutbacks. Then it puts rents up for the market. Kate

says, lower the rent, get rhd of the red tape and attract more

independent traders. Use thd halls and the empty shops. Total

mismanagement if they cannot make a profit. Thank you for all of those.

Have a nice evening. Join md later if you can for the late look North

at 10:25pm. Good night.