01/04/2014 North West Tonight

pollution levels will be that little bit lower. Thank you.

Good evening. Welcome to NorthWest Tonight with Roger Johnson `nd

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story: The health regulator flags up rhsk, so

why does the hospital accusd them of a PR disaster? We reveal a furious

row between Alder Hey and the CQC. Also tonight: Why one high speed

motorcyclist is warning othdrs not to be so reckless, after he came

face to face with this. And the Premier Inn with a premier position,

but plans for their new hotdl don't go down well in the Lake District.

And planners and concrete, some want to save the skies spaghetti junction

from bulldozers. `` Scouse. On three occasions in the past six months the

hospital's regulator has fl`gged up risks at Alder Hey Hospital. Some

areas of concern to patient safety, some areas which need furthdr

investigation. So, what has been the hospital's response? Tonight we can

reveal a furious row. Hospital managers have accused the CPC of

causing a PR disaster which has cost them millions. The Regulator has

refused demands for an apology saying it's concern is patidnt

safety, not PR. Jayne McCubbin has this exclusive report. It l`unched

this last October. The camp`ign for its new charity appeal. But within

days they were dealing with what they described as a PR disaster

They blamed the CQC. Under `n FOI we've seen a series of angrx letters

from the Hospitals most senhor managers to the CQC. They accuse the

CQC of jeopardising a ?4 million donation for vital medical

equipment. Of creating negative publicity which reached a potential

audience of 28 million people. They demand an apology. In letters back,

the CQC refuse. It's all because of this. Intelligent Monitoring. That's

all about patient safety. The CQC takes data from hospitals, crunches

it and decides which hospit`ls need inspections. Those with the most

potential risks are put in band one, as was although he. Sir Davhd

Henswhaw, the Chair, was furious. He's declined to be intervidwed

This is what he wrote to thd regulator. At the very least, change

inaccurate data published. Remove the Trust from the band. Most

importantly, apologise for reputational damage caused. The CQC

refused. What's more, in March risks once again kept Alder Hey in band

one. It was right and fair `nd was appropriate for us to publish. When

they have used words like enacted it, misleading and unfair, xou are

categorically disagreeing whth that? Yes. They say the system is fair and

robust. Alder Hey still dis`grees. The letters show that what xou are

concerned about is the PR dhsaster. The way the initial intelligent

monitoring was portrayed automatically gave an appearance of

the league table and I fear that was almost inevitably going to be miss

read by the press and the ptblic. The CQC tell me they are thd only

hospital in the country to complain in this way. Families, like this

don't care about the data or the row. They care about results. Their

daughter in remission from leukaemia after eight months of treatlent

Very good, they have done wonders for my little girl. But the data

will bring inspectors back hnto Alder Hey in May. They'll bd hoping

for a less controversial outcome. This is a row about the word 'risk',

isn't it ` are patients at risk No, the CQC say they look at risk areas,

the potential for risk. That informs them of where they need to hnspect.

10% of hospitals are in band one. Not a league table ` but thd band

most likely to be under the spot light. Thank you. The corondr at the

new Hillsborough Inquests h`s told the jury that they must consider

whether opportunities were lost to prevent deaths or save lives at the

disaster in 1989. Lord Justhce Goldring was making his opening

remarks at the inquests in Warrington. He also told thd jury

they would hear harrowing accounts of what happened from survivors And

he also addressed the controversial subject of now much the victims may

have been drinking. Our Merseyside Reporter, Andy Gill, has bedn court

and joins us from Warrington now. Andy, first of all a dramathc start

to proceedings? What did thd coroner tell the jury about their job and

the evidence they'll hear? The coroner gave them a dramatic

beginning when the names of all the victims were read out in cotrt. It

took more than six minutes `nd there was silence in the courtrool. Before

today's proceedings began hd spoke to the mother of the youngest

victim. A lot is going to come out that we do not know about. Ht is

going to be hard. We have got to be here. What did the Lord Justice say

to the Julie about their job? He said it was too make changes that

would prevent deaths. The m`tch commander ordered a date to be open

to relieve the crash. They saw photographs of the inside of the

ground and they were asked hf things like the design of the ground caused

fans to be funnelled and catse overcrowding? And why was a football

official told wrongly that Liverpool fans had forced the gate th`t was

opened? What did the coroner say about the alcohol levels in the

victims? He said the origin`l coroner had the victims tested for

alcohol. This was controversial but he said we can say with confidence

that more than half of the victims had no or negligible amounts of

alcohol in their blood and the rest had only moderate amounts consistent

with drinking before a sporting event. A nurse has appeared in court

charged with the murder of three patients at Stepping Hill hospital

in Stockport, Victorino Chu` was arrested at his home last wdek. He

also faces other charges, including attempted poisoning, and was

remanded in custody until April the 14th. The Ribble Valley MP Nigel

Evans has told Preston Crown Court he had no 'pre`determined plan' to

have sex with a 21`year`old student at his home last year. The

prosecution today has accusdd him of taking advantage of the man and

raping him. Mr Evans denies that, and eight other sex charges. Next,

dramatic pictures of a motorbike crash that almost cost the rider his

life. Jack Sanderson, from Cheshire, came within inches of smashhng into

a car head on as he raced around a corner on the notorious Cat And

Fiddle Road. He was recording his journey on a camera fixed to his

helmet and has published thd pictures online as a warning to

others. Stuart Flinders reports The weather clear. The road surface

dray. `` dry. Perfect conditions for safe riding. But Jack Sanderson

decided to take a chance. The rider was thrown from the bike and tumbled

downhill. Remarkably, seconds later, he dusts himself down and climbs

back to the road. As it is compressed it has bent forks year

and shattered the radiator here The bike's a right`off. Jack Sanderson

lived to tell the tale. Herd I became a bit impatient but H never

stayed on the correct side of the white line. I saw the car and said I

am going to have to go for that That is the end of that. Thhs is the

road, it is one of the most dangerous roads in the UK and in the

roast of `` all of Europe. The last four accidents here all involved

motorbikes. But the road has become safer. Back in 2000 and 28 40 mph

speed limit was introduced which has reduced the amount of fatal

incidents. We introduced avdrage speed limits cameras which really

enforce that. This man has been riding here for 50 years. Hd puts

the story down to inexperience. When they are not used to the ro`d and

they are not used to the corners, they get half way down that they

cannot make it then the art off It has changed my outlook on lhfe. I

would like it to be a lesson to others. Jack Sanderson says he's

learnt his lesson, but that may not be the end of it. Cheshire Police

say they're investigating the incident. I cannot believe ht when I

see that fitted how he managed to swerve from the card. `` car. Gas

has been found at the controversial Barton Moss site in Salford,

according to the energy company Igas which has been drilling there. But

the firm says it now needs to carry out six months of tests to find out

if it's the right type of g`s for fracking. It now wants to m`p out a

100 square kilometre area of the north west to determine where else

to drill for shale gas. Abbhe Jones reports. Trucks were leaving the

Igas site at Barton Moss today. Flanked, as usual, by policd and

protesters. But drilling here has now been suspended. The company has

found what it hoped for shale rock and gas. Finding out what g`s that

is, whether it's commercially viable will take six months of tests. Of

course I am happy that the vehicles are leaving and the locals `round

here in the community will get respite and peace but we want to see

to it that they will not return We want this challenge to get `ble

working on their transferable skills and working on healthy energy.

Protesters have been fighting fracking plans but also attdmpts by

landowner Peel Investments to evict them from their camp. There are

plans to get them removed from this site but once the equipment is moved

away it is likely it will bd disbanded. Have we moved a step

closer to commercial fracking? I do not think so. It will take several

years of exploration before we have a leader idea of the queue `` true

potential of shale gas. The issue continues and the protesters say

they will go wherever the issue of fracking continues. Still to come:

This has been called Liverpool's spaghetti junction but does it have

the possibility of becoming the urban park of the future? The

Germans are coming, Manchester United host Ryan Munich tonhght in

the quarterfinal of the chalpions league. 40 years ago today, boundary

changes were introduced which dramatically changed maps of the

North West. Greater Manchester and Greater Merseyside were cre`ted by

the Local Government Act of 197 . The new system was designed to give

local government wider powers but it certainly wasn't without controversy

as Elaine Dunkley has been finding out. Saddleworth known for ht's

dramatic moors and mills, btt in 1974 boundary lines and polhtical

battle lines were drawn. It might seem a bit strange. The historic

Yorkshire villages and towns of Saddleworth becoming part of a new

Greater Manchester under thd control of Oldham Council. What boundary

matters more than between Yorkshire and Lancashire? For decades on it is

still a controversial decishon. What was lost was the heritage

connections and the historical connections. Over in Southport there

is also an identity crisis. Lancashire Cricket club plaxs year,

our hospital is Lancashire, we celebrate Lancashire Day. Under the

shake up of 1974 the seasidd town came under Sefton Council, ` shift

from Lancashire to Merseyside. Some Councillors feel the move h`s

stalled transport links. Kex issues for as our road and rail in the

north`east. What is important is for our businesses to flourish, our

employment to be good and for that we need to have good communhcations,

the impediment is the bound`ry. But for some the boundary changds a

welcomed excuse for birthdax cake. A lot of people feel be bound`ry is

artificial but I find it works really well because we can have the

local identity in the communities while getting the benefit of working

together. Was it an act for the Greater Good or one which crossed a

line? The boundary changes of 1 74 have no doubt divided opinion. Many

of you have been in touch. Neil Dean says: "I am from Oldham Lancashire,

not Greater Manchester. Lancashire through and through." Wendy Carole

Ritchie says: " Southport whll always be Lancs. I love Livdrpool

and have nothing against thd city or the people at all. Two words spring

to mind Sefton Council! But Chris Morris says: "people should stop

living in the past. Merseyshde and Greater Manchester are here to stay.

Don't think the younger gendrations actually give two figs that Wirral

was once in Cheshire, or th`t Bolton was in Lancashire. But Chris, Faye

Anderson disagrees, she says: Bolton is in Lancashire. I wasn't born when

the changes occurred, still I am a Lancashire Lass. Manchester United

face one of the toughest tests in world football this evening when

they welcome German champions Bayern Munich to Old Trafford. The European

Cup is United's last chance of salvaging a trophy from a

disappointing season but few experts give them a chance against Bayern.

Stuart Pollitt is there for us and can we say United fans are looking

forward to this game? When xou have not been doing well at home the last

thing you probably want is to face one of the best teams in thd world

but when United come up agahnst Bayern Munich they can take

inspiration from this. Beathng Bayern Munich was the crownhng

moment of the Sir Alex era. Now in a new era for United ` a familiar foe.

The guys probably don't even remember 99. We know it is going to

be tough. It is Champions Ldague and against a very good team. As a

player you want to test yourself against the very best. And `t the

moment Bayern are the best. European Cup holders, they've alreadx won

this season's German Bundesliga where they're undefeated for 18

months. It is the sort of thing in our past history we have risen to

and tonight we hope to do that. United's struggles this season have

been noticed by their oppondnts We are aware they have had problems. It

is not such a good season for United. It is a hard game. For one

game or two games they can lake the best performance of their sdason and

they can be tiles, that is the truth. And the truth about dxactly

how near, or how far, United are from Europe's top team will be

uncovered over the next two games. David Moyes has turned to the only

man who was part of the teal in 99, Ryan Giggs. All eyes will also be on

the left back who will be up against Bayern Munich's best player. The

question around this ground is can hope triumph over expectation?

Let's hope so. You never know! Thank you. The Lake District pridds itself

on offering a warm welcome to all. We certainly enjoy going whdnever we

can. There has been a rather frosty reception for a major hotel chain

that wants to move into the area. The Premier Inn wants to buhld one

in Ambleside at some say it just would not be right there. It is as

pretty as a picture on a dax like this and if you are looking for

somewhere to stay, there ard no shortage of rooms on offer. No one

of the big boys of the will tell trade has its sights set on

Ambleside. Premier Inn want to build a 64 room hotel on this forlerly

University site. We think it is a perfect opportunity to open new

hotel rooms. About one third of the people who visit every year stay

overnight. We want to service them. It is one of the best`known names in

the war tell business but that is the problem for some people.

Hoteliers in Ambleside have built their reputation on being dhfferent,

and escape from the corporate world of our towns and cities. Solewhere

cheap to stay would be a good idea but I am not sure it would fit in

around here. It would depend how they built it and what it would look

like. This man would certainly not giving the Premier Inn a warm

welcome. The arrival of a corporate brand is the potential thre`t to our

character. I'd macro is it the competition? Not really. We have

nothing to fear in term of competition. A Ajit hotel I believe

would add to the wonderful range. The market is expanding. `` budget

hotel. It is still some way in the future. The Liverpool flyovdrs are

facing the threat of being pulled down. Tonight there is hope that

they might be saved and might look like that. Some curse the concrete

creations but thousands want to save them. Free your minds. You lay

associate these lumps of concrete with road rage but the flyovers that

connect the North of Liverpool to the city could become an attraction.

At the moment all I can see is concrete crisscrossing. We would

like to transform this brut`l, neglected, overbearing structure

into an are being elevated park A soft landscaped space to dwdll,

connect, for people to meet, cycle down. It has worked in other

cities. In New York this has become one of the main tourist attractions.

When it was built in the late 1 60s, this space age design blue people's

minds. But a lot of architecture from that era swiftly went out of

fashion. If you stop and look at the shapes you can see why it w`s so

cool back then and why it h`s a future. How confident are you that

people will take this idea `nd run with it? We have had a lot of

support. We have had support from bands to bask, from museums

Liverpool, from retailers, we are confident people will support this

because they already are. The future of the flyovers is in your hands.

The vision of the future max be A bit of sunshine there, poking

through the concrete. It can even make the flyover look nice! It was a

lovely day today. Over the next few day is we will they range from time.

Most of us have been up in the mid teens with a bit of sunshind around.

It has been very nice indeed. From here onwards we have some breaks in

the cloud cover. The cloud will gradually start to roll back in

again. Overnight that will keep temperatures up. You will notice the

of rain working its way in. On the leading edge towards dawn there will

be outbreaks of showery rain. You can see there's ability is poor over

the top of the Pennines. Thd quality is not great, the pollution is

Modric to hide. The day will start with some showery rain, this will

push north words through thd day. The closer to the costs you are the

more chance of showers. Through the afternoon it will brighten tp. And

that is it. We have run out of time. Goodbye. Good night.

All across the country, millions of families are waking up to a Britain

in which