10/01/2012 North West Tonight

Tonight with Ranvir Singh and Roger Johnson.

Our top story: revisiting the scene of the tragedy - the mother who

lost four children in a fire returns home. The fire service say

smoke alarms at the family's bungalow didn't work.

Also in the programme: faster trains to London move a step closer

- a boost for business or an environmental eyesore? We need good

access to London. Businesses have been crying out for this sort of

transport investment. Alan Shearer's body has been in this

shirt. Big bucks from cast-off kits - the

local firm selling the shirts off the stars' backs.

And is this the world's most expensive chicken? We meet Amelia,

The mother of four children who Supporters say it's the answer to

overcrowding on our railways and will benefit both commuters and

businesses with hugely reduced journey times. Today the prospect

of high speed trains connecting the North West with London in just over

an hour moved a step closer after the Government gave the green light

to the first phase of the project. But critics fear the scheme will

carve up the Cheshire countryside. Abbie Jones reports.

It's no secret our trains are chronically overcrowded. By 2020

the West Coast Main Line will be full. The hope is these new high

speed trains will take the strain. They'd have over 1,000 seats. And

reach 225 miles an hour. Businesses like Manchester Airport say they'll

bring more passengers within their reach. We need to join up air, road,

rail, bus, and this is the sort of move that will make the UK

competitive again. We need good access to London. Businesses have

been crying out for such an investment. It now takes Manchester

passengers two hours and eight mins to get to London. That would drop

by an hour. And there wouldn't just be faster journey times for places

on the high speed network. Preston, Wigan and Lancaster would also see

travel times cut. And although there are concerns trains wouldn't

run right into Liverpool, the journey to London, now two hours

ten minutes, would take an hour and 46. If it reduces journey times, it

is more likely that people will come on short breaks to the likes

of Liverpool. We want to see jobs created, some of which I want to

see go to people who are qualified and perhaps even unemployed in the

Liverpool area. But there's no guarantee yet the

trains will run through the north west. Today the first phase from

London to Birmingham was approved. Supporters hope that means the

second phase up here will be too, but that route won't be chosen

until 2014. A worry for campaigners who fear it may carve up the

Cheshire countryside, without actually stopping at places like

Goostrey, Holmes Chapel and Styal. I don't think it is the major area

or where we need investment in the transport infrastructure. Where we

needed is on the commuter lines. And for that matter, commuter buses.

The trains themselves may be faster than ever, but it will be 2032

before North West passengers can get on them.

A little earlier I spoke to the Rail Analyst Christian Wolmar. I

asked him if he thought HS2 would be a good thing for the North West.

First, I would not be so short that HS2 is going to happen. There is a

parliamentary process. We only have to look in Parliament at the debate

and to see a lot of Tories are unhappy about it. There will be yet

more consultation, and of course then they will have to sort out the

precise route to Manchester and Leeds. It is likely to happen, the

government intends it to happen, but there is still a long way to go

and tell it opens to Birmingham in 2036. Not an Manchester until 2033.

Should it happen? It worries mean that it will take away all rail

investment from other parts of the country and concentrated just on

this one Coral. The other problem is that it has no great

environmental advantage. When the project was put forward, the idea

was that it would be a green project. But it is clear that at

best, it is carbon neutral and it will lose -- used as much C02 in

the present situation. At worst, it might use more carbon.

Environmental concerns are paramount for people who will be

affected by the route. Many people in Cheshire. Have they done enough

in what they have announced today it in terms of the route to

Birmingham to mitigate against the concerns of people? They have made

a lot of effort and that suggests that as the route is designed

further north, they will also ensure that as many mitigating

measures are introduced in order to allay opposition. The ordinary

railways cost a fortune to travel on any rivals to this will be for

rich businessmen, isn't it? Ordinary people will not be able to

afford it. Looking at other countries with high-speed rail, you

tend to have to pay more to go on those services ban on conventional

services. That is logical. On high- speed one, which runs between St

Pancras and the Channel Tunnel, there are pretty good fares for the

Kent commuters who also use that line. I think it will be quite

expensive, certainly I don't think the idea of commuting between

London and Manchester will be feasible, apart from very well-off

people. Thank you very much. Pleasure.

That is his opinion. And we'd like to know what you think about a high

speed rail link from this region to London. Get in touch via email,

The mother of four children who were killed in a house fire three

days ago attended a church service in their memory today. Michelle

Smith joined schoolchildren, parents and friends at St John the

Divine Church in Lytham. Four-year- old twins Holly and Ella, two-year-

old Jordan and their elder brother, Reese, who was 19, died in the

blaze in Freckleton on Saturday night. Meanwhile investigators say

it's highly probable that smoke alarms in the family home weren't

working at the time. Our reporter Peter Marshall is at the scene of

the fire in Freckleton now. Peter, I understand that Michelle

Smith returned to the scene today for what must have been a difficult

return? Yes, Michelle Smith and her family have been through so it

street -- some extremely dark days. Today, she came back to spend some

time looking at the many floral tributes that have been left it and

the message is that where the tragedy happened on Saturday night.

She took time to read the messages and just see how people have been

touched by this. The messages have been from friends, relatives and

total strangers from the community who have been affected by the scale

of this tragedy. Their name of Don to St John the Divine Church for a

special vigil. They lit candles for all the children who died,

including 19-year-old Rhy. I spoke with the vicar of the Church early

and this is what he said. When you lose four children, you cannot put

it into words, you cannot imagine how they are feeling. We will find

out more about that in the days to come.

Peter, we saw Michelle Smith today. We heard from the children's

grandfather yesterday. How are the family coping?

One can only imagine the sort of Tom more oil but they are going

through, to Louis four children from one family. -- the turmoil.

The baby was just two years old. The family has said that the

support they have been shown by so many people in the community has

been such a great help to them. I am sure that the service this

afternoon was a great help as well. Peter, we heard about the probable

inefficient firearms in the property. What is the latest on the

investigation there? A well, the fire service is saying that its

initial investigation shows that it is highly probable that the fire

alarms were not working before the fire. Their tests on the alarms

after the fire show that they were not working, but they had not been

damaged by flames so it is most probable they were not working

before. That probably explains why the fire was able to develop so

fatally and before anybody could react to get in there and stop it

from developing so badly with the outcome that week saw. I spoke to

have Simon Bowen from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and he said

to me how important it was that if you have fire alarms installed,

that you check them regularly. the alarms are fitted, clearly you

need to ensure that people maintain them. You need to keep checking and

to ensure that their work. They are an early warning in case of fire.

They are crucial. The smoke alarm provides the early warning.

The investigation into the cause of this awful tragedy continues. We

have still no word on the exact cause of the fire. Peter, thank you

very much indeed. Apologies for the background noise at the start of

A student who went missing after a night out in Manchester has been

found dead in a river near to the city centre. Gurdeep Hayer has been

missing since leaving a nightclub on the 2nd of January. Greater

Manchester Police say they are no suspicious circumstances

surrounding his death. Geologists in the UK say it's

extremely unlikely that "fracking" a controversial process of drilling

for shale gas will lead to water pollution in Lancashire. The

practice which originates in the US and involves pumping high pressure

liquid underground has been deemed as low risk by the British

Geological survey. Fracking by energy company Cuadrilla was halted

in Blackpool last year following concern that it had caused

Back at the start of the recession, we decided to follow a group of

people through the perilous waters of the downturn. They were our Nine

in 09. Among them, the artisan chocolatier who risked it all for a

dream. The estate agent who was living the dream, before it came

crashing down. Well, today we were warned we could be heading towards

the dreaded double dip recession. So, what became of our Nine in 09?

Here's our Economics Correspondent Nine lives, 12 months, one

recession. But what about now? 'Hello again!' Today I went back to

Liverpool to meet Bala. Her chocolate shop had been inspired by

a romantic novel. A gamble, especially in a recession. 'It's

secured on the house, basically it's got to work. Three years on,

this is it. The shop closed after Christmas. It is heartbreaking, it

is sad that it did not work out. When I last came here, the economy

had just crept into economy. Today we are told to expect it to

contract, at least in one quarter. We need two it for it to reach that

dreaded double dip back into recession. So how was the recovery

for Mark, our man in manufacturing? Business boomed in 2010. But in

2011, his biggest customer collapsed. A costly hit. Unemployed

Stephanie Pound is now employed. Agency work, but still work. The

Penney's retirement pot is still pinched by those historic low

interest rates. Rates which show no sign of rising. And how about our

people in property? The crash affected Estate Agent Jonathan

directly. In 09 the posh pad and the hot tub went on the market, as

business dried up. We used to have great parties there. The money was

pouring in at one time. Back today. Well, the money definitely isn't

pouring in, but we're still here.' I honestly don't think that the

market will pick up for another five years. His house never sold.

Neither did that of his client Miranda who we'd also followed.

Economic woes haven't been shared by all. In 09 our Ann's dreams of

an empire beyond fish suppers were in doubt. She'd struggled to get

finance from the banks. But today. Ta darrr! Her chip shop training

academy is open. Over at the coffee shop, she's helped more than 500

people on line. All good news for Woodley where business is finally

picking up. We were closing down at a rate of one every month or so,

but it's really thriving now. And it isn't all over for Bala. The

shop might have closed - the business hasn't. She's still

trading via the internet and farm shops. How confident are you now?

100% actually, because I've learnt so much. A new beginning, hopefully

not in a new recession. Nice to see them all again. Great

news about the chip shop. Three schoolchildren from

Warrington have been injured after a double-decker bus they were

travelling on went through a low bridge. The roof of the bus was

ripped off and the driver is being treated for shock after the

incident this morning in Grappenhall. It is understood the

bus had taken a wrong turn. A senior Labour councillor from

Rochdale has resigned after a video emerged of him allegedly smoking

cannabis. Farooq Ahmed, the councillor for Wardleworth, was

suspended by the Labour party when the matter came to light. Mr Ahmed

denies he was smoking cannabis. Oldham Athletic has praised the way

Liverpool Football club dealt with racism directed towards one of

their players. Defender Tom Adeyemi broke down in tears after

apparently being subjected to racist abuse from a supporter in

the stands at Anfield during an FA Cup clash with Liverpool. Oldham

thanked both Liverpool and Merseyside Police for the way the

Going with a swing - Steve Parry hears from our top gymnasts on

their preparations for London 2012. I think we are almost like sisters.

There will be times when I will be in a mood and she will know how to

stay away! Meet the Cheshire chicken with one

The RSPCA is nursing dozens of seal pups back to health after they were

battered by the recent storms. One of the juveniles was washed up near

a scrapyard at Liverpool docks as it battled against high winds along

the North West coastline. Two of pups are being cared for at a

specialist wildlife hospital in Cheshire from where our Environment

Correspondent Colin Sykes reports. A fish for Steptoe. A fitting name

for this male grey seal pup washed up near a scrapyard at Liverpool.

He's only a couple of months old and swimming in the high seas

proved too much. He was one of those young seals that wasn't just

coping. We had the is storms and the seas have been very choppy and

for the inexperience to seals, it has been very tricky. He was washed

ashore. Steptoe's making good progress.

He's starting to put on weight but it'll be months before he's strong

enough to be released. Seals can normally cope with whatever nature

throws at them, but the last few weeks have been difficult. The

RSPCA is looking after a total of 60 seals. High winds over the last

few weeks have made sea conditions difficult for the grey seal pups

which have only just been weaned and are not strong swimmers Next

door Rudolph is on antibiotics. She's a Common Seal, slightly older

than Steptoe. She was washed up with injuries on the Cumbrian coast.

She had a few wins so the thought is that she was washed up on be

beat and got injured of the rocks. The wounds have picked up

infections as well so I am treating out. Both seals should make a full

recovery They'll be released back They are so cute! Isle of the names

they give to them, Rudolph, There is no doubt that the next two

gymnasts have a unique relationship. Best is Britain's most successful

gymnast ever. Hannah from stop what is the young prodigy who is now

British champion and in the world top 10. In the latest of Our

Special Reports, Steve has been to meet the Dewar at their training

base. Top step has had a reputation for

many things over the years. One thing people don't know is that it

has the most successful gymnastics A lot of that is down to death and

Hanna. They share a coach, a training centre and dreams of

Olympic success. It was not always that way. I used to be a fan when I

was younger. I remember having a picture with her. I was like

everyone else. When I came here, I was like, oh my God, it is best.

But I'm used to what now. No longer star-struck, Hannah And Deaths

stand together as Britain's best gymnasts. -- Hannan and F.

almost like sisters now. We are very friendly and we just catch up.

She knows when to stay away when I am moody. He is more moody? She is!

That is the highest and hardest routine the world has ever seen.

They are always chasing me and making me improve, my team-mates. I

cannot sit back on what I have already achieved. What they both

want to achieve his success in London. She wants that medal so

much and we want her to get it. I would love to finish my career with

a medal. That is the one medal but I am missing and that is why I have

carry on training. How do you think Hannah can do it? She has done

really well recently, nine that the world championships. She can

definitely move into the top spots. It would be a massive result.

are not just draining together for 30 hours a week, they live together

as well along with fellow hopefuls. He spent a lot of time with each

other. I guess it would be horrendous if he did not like one

another. Luckily we get on so it is not an issue. With that type of

team spirit, the only issue for these two is to help each other to

the Olympic glory. They will do it for us's. They

will! We will step -- support them every

They have turned over �1 million trading used football shirts. Our

reporter has been finding out the Big names, big clubs and big wages,

so getting one of these shirts of their backs would said to back a

pretty penny. In 2006, football fans sold their first sherd from

their student home. Role for five years and they are running a big

business, turning over �1 million last year from selling classic

football shirts on line. The first one week salt was a man Utd Brian

Kidd shirt which we sold for 1,200 pounds. That is a players' shirts

from 1989, 1990. I quite like this one, I like the colours. That is a

shirt from 1986 worth about �400. 400 quid! OK, I need a football

expert to explain to the white people are so happy to pay hundreds

of pounds for a bit of polyester. It is unique. There are only so

many match one shirts. Anybody can buy a replica, stick that up with a

replica -- an autograph. If you know and it has been won by a

player and in a specific match, you are getting a piece of the match.

I'm in a stockroom and some of the shirts are not nice, but if I had

to pick one already worn by a player, it would have to be this

one: Alan Shearer's body has actually been in this shirt. Better

still, how about that one? The lads are doing really well, with �2

million of business forecast for next year. They have just bought 15

years of AC Milan's kits. All of the material they used in games,

shirts, socks, even down to underparts. Not so great.

Next, not why but how did the chicken cross the road? Answer?

With a bionic leg! A Cheshire Chicken has undergone major surgery

after breaking its femur in a mystery accident.

Amelia is a rescued battery chicken, and so had a tough start in life.

So when her owner found her struggling, she refused to give up

on her, whatever the cost. Nina Warhurst reports.

Dancing away on her Plumley Farm, you'd never guess Amelia stared

death in the face when she snapped her thigh bone. Her owner had two

options: have her put down or pay for the leg to be saved. Like I

said to the vet, I would have done it to Mike dogs and cats so that

she was my pet, why not do it for her as well?

On the right you can clearly see the snapped bone, then this x-ray

shows where metal pins were placed to secure it with a mini scaffold

on the outside to keep it in place. How much did all that cost? �600!

You realise that people will think you are a bit Crackers spending

that money. Yes, they do. They don't mind

telling me. I have got used to it now. Perhaps it was wise for Sue to

wait until the bill was paid before telling her husband whose

relationship with Amelia has had its challenges.

What relationship you have with the ticking? It is fraught to. The

first time I met her, she paid to me in the eye and since then I have

kept my distance. As you can see, she is back socialising with the

other chickens, but there is some concern that her new-found

celebrity status might prove a bit devices. I think they might be a

bit jealous! But I hope they don't break her leg to get in the papers

and on the telly! I cannot do with the stress, it is too expensive.

Sue's pets haven't put her and John off eating chicken, but from now on

they'll only eat breast. Chicken leg is strictly off the menu.

Oh my word! That is an expensive chicken leg. They will have to get

her insured. Let's get the weather A very mixed day today. Some places

sort it sunshine while others saw cloud. -- sort sunshine. But the

trend is for colder weather. By the time we get to Saturday, daytime

temperatures will have fallen from 12 to around four degrees. That is

only half the story because tonight, temperatures will be low. On Friday

they will be in minus figures. We are definitely going to feel the

contrast. This is what we will see tomorrow: It continues to be cloudy

and drizzly from time to time. It will also be mild so make the most

of it. Where weather crossing the region tonight. For the most part,

it is light and patchy. If anywhere avoids it, it will be parts of

Merseyside and Cheshire. We could all see rain as the night goes on.

The temperatures will be really good tonight. Almost up to 10

degrees. Tomorrow, you wake up with cloud cover and some rain will

linger. This is the weather front that will move away as the morning

continues. Into the afternoon, most places become a drier. I cannot

promise you anything to bright, maybe the Isle of Man will see good

spells of sunshine. Maybe Cheshire and Merseyside as well. They get

the best of the shelter. But for most of us, it is cloudy and mild,

make the most of it because it will be a long time before we see those

temperatures hit 11 again. Before we go, let's get some of

your comments on Facebook. Amanda Jopson says, "Waste of money, sort

the country out first. It's going to take 14 years to build. Very

poor. . Peter Barlow is more positive:

"Why moan, guys? They are doing it to make our lives easier! Es Walker

is a bit worried. He says: "Unless phase two is granted at the same

time, there is no point even starting phase one. The chances are

costs and environmental concerns will spiral to such an extent that

a future government will be pressured to cancel additional