24/08/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Look North. Tonight, a huge blow for Yorkshire - a

nationwide survey for the NHS suggests there's little support

across the country for the children's heart unit to stay open.

Also tonight, disruption for rail commuters - rush hour queues due to

fewer trains as drivers go on strike, and more action's planned

for Friday. As Anne Hathaway's panned for her

Yorkshire accent in her latest film, we ask does she really sound like a

Tyke? Come on, it's time to go home.

know, we have never actually met. You know, we have.

And after a mostly fine and dry day, we have got a weather warning for

rain. I will be back later in the programme for the full forecast.

Good evening and welcome to Look North. The campaign to keep

children's heart surgery here in Yorkshire has been dealt a blow.

One of the biggest surveys ever conducted for the NHS suggests

there's little support elsewhere in the country for the unit in Leeds

to stay open. So how close are we to a final decision?

This is an issue which provokes strong feelings. Let's just remind

you of where we are. At the moment there are currently 11 children's

heart units across England and Wales. The proposal is to reduce

that number by around half to six or seven. The campaign to keep the

heart unit open has attracted a big response. Half a million people

signed a petition in Yorkshire, which was sent to Downing Street,

calling for the Leeds unit to stay open. No decision is expected

before the end of the year. Any changes are not likely to take

effect until 2013. Ian White has today's latest development.

It is a dilemma that has divided the North of England. Should

children have a life-saving heart surgery in Leeds, or be forced to

travel to Newcastle or Liverpool instead? After the petitions came

the politicians, and now the result of a major NHS questionnaire. The

latest blow for Leeds comes in the form of this large document. It is

a very heavy reading. 75,000 people across the UK took part in the

survey. In it they were asked to choose one of four options - where

would they like children's heart surgery located? Newcastle and

Liverpool are appeared in three of the options, but Leeds' only

appeared in the 4th option. While it got a good response in Yorkshire,

Natalie, May the -- mich -- most people voted for the top two

options. It is disappointing, but not surprising. We were never going

to come out top because we were only in one out of four options.

is exceptionally difficult to fill in. I have got a degree and I

struggled. Also, it was not produced in other languages, which

is an issue for many parents in this unit where 25% of parents

don't have English as a first language. The campaign has been

hugely successful with more than 500,000 and a national survey. Half

a million people signed a petition wanting to save his unit. They

found it very difficult to fill in the online questionnaire. It was

very confusing. Even if we had difficulty with that. I don't want

this to be a Leeds - Newcastle thing. There is probably I would

obviously go for Leeds because of the geography and the fact that it

is a first-rate centre. Families say that despite today's

developments they will fight on to keep heart surgery in Leeds until a

final decision is known at the end of the deer.

A little earlier I spoke to Dr Graham Stuart, a consultant

cardiologist, who is advising the committee that will make the final

decision about children's heart surgery across England and Wales. I

put to him that the way this survey had been conducted wasn't fair to

Leeds. I accept that the process was not

perfect. The problem in the North of England is a difficult one in

that it is a big region, and the population doesn't allow for three

centres to continue while at the same time each centre having

sufficient numbers to provide a safe and sustainable service with a

minimum of four surgeons. Therefore there has to be a cut down in

centres. How that is done is an extremely difficult decision.

500,000 people fear that you are about to make the wrong decision.

The individual decisions are very, very difficult, not just in the

north, but throughout different areas of the UK. That is why this

process has taken a long time. That is why the views of all those

people in Leeds he completed the survey, and also the overall 77,002

completed the poll are very important. You say it is an

important decision, but can you categorically assure us tonight

that that decision has not been made, that the consultation is

still under way? Did the best of my knowledge, that is true, and I

genuinely believe it to be true, although I am not privy to the

final decision. I am part of the steering group that advises

decision-makers. You still seem to be hinting in some way that Leeds

has to go. Leeds was part of one option out of the different options,

and it was the least popular option. The reason for that was partly

because of the other two units, Liverpool has a very high

population density, and Newcastle provides two of the nationally

designated services. So, that does not preclude Leeds surviving, but

it does mean that a different solution has to be found. I will

emphasise again that the decision is not in your hands, you are

merely on the steering committee that makes the recommendations, but

I am hearing from you answers, I heard last week with David Cameron

when he visited Leeds, that half a million people are about to be very

disappointed. Well, I deal with children with heart disease every

day, as do my colleagues in Leeds. If you ask a family what they care

about, they care about knowing their child is going to have top

quality care. Obviously it has to be as close to home as possible,

and whatever happens in Leeds there will still be a cardiac centre in

Leeds. What is important is that child can be guaranteed the highest

quality care, and that means difficult decision making. I do

appreciate you talking to us tonight.

Well, it's not been a good day for train travellers in Yorkshire.

Drivers for the FirstTransPennine Express have been on a 24-hour

strike over pay. Only a quarter of the trains between York, Leeds and

Manchester have been running. And the bad news is there's a second

strike planned for Friday. Len Tingle is at Huddersfield Train

Station, where commuters have been travelling home.

Yes, this is an indication of how hard the strike has hit First

TransPennine Express trains. The first change arrived 20 minutes ago.

Thousands of commuters use this route. It is one of the busiest in

the North of England. They struggled to get to work this

morning, and as they tracked back home to light, it did not get any

better. A familiar story for rail

passengers this evening. The electronic noticeboards he at

Huddersfield station confirm that around three-quarters of that

normal number of first as Bonn Express trains that stop here from

York, Leeds or Manchester had been cancelled -- First TransPennine

Express. In fact, the first train was the 1857 to Leeds. Commuters

arriving home were not impressed at the failure of the company and the

train drivers' union Aslef to even agree to meet to discuss a pay

offer of around 5% that is already on the table. I had to alter my

working arrangements to get here and back on time. The drivers'

dispute? I would rather not say. think there was a train missing

this morning and I was delayed about 15 minutes. But coming back,

I think there are some trains missed, but I have got here. This

evening, the union repeated what it said when talks collapsed yesterday.

It things are 5% offer, double what prompted a strike ballot earlier

this month, is in the right ball park, but it wants further

discussion that the disc -- offer in his new more flexible work

practices. So far, no meeting has been fixed. With time running out

before the second strike set for Friday. This dispute over pay needs

to be resolved through dialogue, not disrupting trains. I am hopeful

we can meet the union and do just that, resolve it for the customer's

benefit. They have been big bonuses for managers, big dividends for

shareholders, and they are returning big profits. The only

real assets are the workers. To ask for an RPI tied rate is reasonable

and acceptable. First TransPennine Express trains, as well as another

service between Sheffield and Manchester, says it has much trains

running today than it thought it would. It does admit that even

though the strike ends at midnight they could be disruption tomorrow

before things return to normal. I spoke to one of the negotiators for

the unions just a couple of hours ago and he said he will try to talk

to the company tomorrow, but if that agreement is not made, then

that strike will go ahead on Friday, and that coincides with one of the

busiest periods that the train service has. One of the biggest

events in Yorkshire takes place over the weekend, the Leeds

Festival. There will be a lot of backpackers on those trains heading

towards Leeds. Thank you, I know you will keep us

in touch. Stay with us for last night's

Carling Cup action, as Leeds United go through to the third round,

beating Yorkshire opposition for the second time in a row.

A 19-year-old woman has appeared before magistrates in Wakefield

accused of intending to encourage violent disorder in the city via

the social media site Facebook. Hollie Bentley is alleged to have

posted a message on August 9th during disturbances around the

country. It's claimed she sent it to 700 people encouraging them to

take part in an event in Wakefield. The case was adjourned after Miss

Bentley was told the matter must go to the Crown Court.

A 12-year-old boy from Halifax is recovering in hospital after

falling from a ride at a theme park in Lancashire. The boy was seen

hanging from Excalibur 2 at Camelot near Chorley. The Health and Safety

Executive has closed the ride for full safety checks to be carried

out. The boy is in a comfortable condition.

A taxi driver whose careless driving led to the death of 19-

year-old Lisa Saville in Halifax last March has been given a 12-

month suspended prison sentence. Bradford Crown Court heard that

Miss Saville never recovered after hitting her head as she jumped out

of Jawaid Iqbal's moving taxi. He said he panicked and drove off

after being threatened by another passenger.

The Digital UK help teams have been out in force across South Yorkshire

and North Derbyshire. That's because all analogue TV channels

have now been switched off in Sheffield and Chesterfield. It

means if you receive your TV from one of those transmitters you

should by now have re-tuned. Nicola Rees reports.

Look who the digital switch-over is the biggest thing to happen to

television since the introduction of colour. Here in South Yorkshire

the Chesterfield and Sheffield transmitters, which serve around

150,000 people, have now had their analogue signals completely

switched off. And that means people around here will now need to retune

their televisions. This afternoon, help was on hand for those who had

lost their favourite channels. is TV in your household? The team

has become a familiar sight on our streets. You can't have failed to

notice this chap. Thanks to their help and advice, most people have

got the message about the switch- over. Most, but not all. This

morning my wife but the television on and everything disappeared. Why

is that? Today is the big day for Sheffield. Overnight, all of the

analogue services have been switched off permanently, so if you

are an analogue viewer there is now nothing to watch. In North Aston, a

new company specialises in digital TV. The director expected to be

inundated with calls today, but it seems his engineers were not needed

after all. A bit of an anti-climax. We have had some good work over the

years in preparation for digital TV, but, although it is quite at the

moment, when the 4.5 million people's start retuning their TV

sets, the ball could be in a different court. So far, any

180,000 people in our area have made the switch, so any more will

be the big test. A match which is over in September, this lot could

Before 7pm: Your eyes and not deceiving you. Then narrowboat that

has been turned into a new boat on Was that the Yorkshire accent? Why

the American actress Anne Hathaway has been criticised for talking

Tyke. In football, Leeds United are

through to the third round of the Carling Cup. There had to come from

behind to beat Yorkshire opposition. The line-up said this one meant

more to Rovers than their visitors. They were largely unchanged from

their last league match. Leeds rested players after their game at

West Ham two days earlier. Mistakes crept in. Another sweeping move

forward. Cow Bennett agonisingly strikes the post. Leeds made

Leeds found their form. A place in the third round, and a new era. It

cannot be easy being a Huddersfield Town fan. Jordan roads lead the

fight back. The long journey from where structure seems worthwhile.

It is never that simple. Cardiff get an equaliser in injury time,

and go on to his got two more in extra time. We thought we had done

enough, but you cannot switch off for a second. People can come back

to haunt you, and that is what happened about 30 seconds from the

end. Frustration for Huddersfield Town. Tonight it is the turn of

You can watch the highlights at 11:30pm.

Date two of Yorkshire's county championship cricket match at home

to Warwickshire. The started their first innings

reply this morning. They lost three wickets in the first session. Since

then, it's in Warwickshire's day. Shiv Chanderpaul has been a start

with 167 not out, guiding Warwickshire to a lead of 43 runs

at close of play. If you could choose anything, what

would you dream bet they present a? Richard Williams knew what he

wanted for his 50th. It was not a pair of socks. -- what would your

dream birthday present be? By his own admission, Richard

Williams is a bit eccentric. His favourite pastime is recreating

scenes from a World War II movie. But this is a canal barge,

masquerading as a U-boat. It is the ultimate boy's toy. I ate true

plans for it, which I put on my computer. My partner at the time,

brother and son found them, and thought it would be a good thing to

build for my birthday. I ended up with a submarine! Every little boy

wants a submarine or a train set, and I have got one! It cost nearly

�60,000 and took three months to build. It has no windows. Even

though it looks like a submarine, a does not go any deeper than about

18 inches. There is barely enough room for Richard to live here, but

he does, along with his three dogs and his very tolerant wife.

cannot swim. I am petrified of water. Once you are inside, apart

from its rocking every now and again, it does not feel any

different from being in a house, apart from it being quite cramped

and dark. Richard cruises up and down the Leeds and Liverpool Canal,

showing people around his home. Everyone is welcome to have a nosy.

It is a big hit two younger visitors -- it is a big hit with

younger visitors. If you got hit by another submarine, you have no

where to go because you were trapped inside. He would have to be

looking to see if anybody was there. It is not like another hand. You

could not have you ex-boxer. It is not just outside Leeds, where it

will be for the next few days. A I was waiting for it to submerge.

Do not be silly! What do you think is the best way

to learn a Yorkshire accent? The American actress Anne Hathaway says

she watched the soap Emmerdale to help pay get into character for her

latest film. She plays a northerner in One Day.

A film had its premiere in London last night. It seems the critics

are not impressed with the way she speaks. Olivia Richwald has been

testing opinions here in Yorkshire. We have never met. We have, several

times. You get crushed my birthday party a. You spilt red wine down my

top. She is an Oscar-nominated actress from New York, playing a

geeky, working-class girl. The tragic love story has been adapted

from a best-selling novel. It catches up with two friends on the

same day of the year for 20 years. The only time being made me laugh

as when he fell down the stairs. Attacks and is attracting attention.

Once I got into who she was, the accent became less important. I was

able to focus on who she was as a person, and put my best accent at

there. Last night was the UK premiere of One Day. There are some

three feet -- There are some preview screenings in Wakefield.

Rubbish. Why are they saying it is Yorkshire when it is not? To she

said one word that was really American. Unless someone has a

truly atrocious accent, I do not think it matters. The's a lot worse.

It was not very good, but I enjoyed The film is officially released on

Friday. Joining us in the studio is

Patricia Groves, a boy's courage and accent expect. What do you make

of that? -- Patricia Groves is a voice coach. We cannot do American

accent very well. The English language has got 24 vowel sounds,

and that is what makes a difference. Unless you understand theirs and

study them, you will not get a perfect accent of any description.

The she came to you, you would be saying, look at Bath, Potter, boss.

The Yorkshire tend to flatten owls. - - vowels. There is no such there

is a Yorkshire accent, because they're all very so much. Yes. She

is supposed to have a lead accent. That is diverse as well.

sounded Scottish halfway through! This is what I mean about studying

it properly. The vow all sounds make the difference. Everybody

things to do an accent, you just have to listen. It is more

technical than that. We're not talking about a, he, I, oh, you.

We're talking about "ah" as in "car". Seriously, I do not

understand why they needed her to have an accent. It could be any

person meeting somebody. It is a great book. Rather than do a bad

one... I cannot understand it. Everybody is going on about it.

Saying how awful it is. Why bother? You were quite posh. I do have a

Leeds accent, there. Give us their where that would show us you are a

Leeds last. I don't there! Thank Now the weather. We do not want to

get rid of any accents. Weather warning that the moment.

Bank holiday weekend is coming up. There is an improvement over the

weekend. This is a lovely photograph of Bridlington, taken by

Ian Dickinson. A's another photograph. It clouded up a little

bit. This is a beautiful shot. We have had a pleasant day to day. We

have a weather warning from the met Office, for heavy rain and later

tonight and first thing this -- first thing tomorrow. The pattern

is quiet and settled for the next few days. I think there will be an

improvement through the weekend. Cloud has pushed him from the West.

A few showers could be heavy, there may well clear away. The cloud will

thicken from the south and outbreaks of rain will push

northwards. Temperatures will be around 10, 11. The sun will rise at

six air-to-air ERM, setting up at 8:13pm. -- the sun will rise at

6:02am. It will become more showery. Behind it, a much-improved story.

Just one of two sharp showers to contend with. The temperatures will

struggle to left through the morning. By the afternoon, we

should get up to around 19 degrees. Friday still looks fairly unsettled.

It will start on a fine note. Still a few showers for Saturday. It

should become mostly drive through the weekend. How do they say bus in