13/01/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

showers in the west and south. That's all from the

The headlines: The biggest active role in the north`east now pick up

disabled passengers. Another really has closed in Cumbria. Find out

which councils cannot resist the rise. And, the seal of approval.

Rescued from the river and return to the sea. In team talk, seen

opposition, same result. Premier League, a hat trick for

Johnson as Sunderland move off the bottom. But controversy at

Newcastle. The biggest taxi company in the

North East performed a dramatic U`turn today. Initially, Boro Taxis

of Middlesbrough told the BBC they'd refuse to pick up people in

wheelchairs, after the council warned them last week that it was

wrong to charge the disabled more than everyone else. But the firm

said they'd now subsidise any additional costs. The change of mind

followed an online petition to boycott the firm's taxis which

attracted 14,000 supporters. Jeannette Hammerton was recently

pushed three miles by her husband because she couldn't get a taxi firm

to give her a lit. Ron Carter Bonsteel said he was so often

overcharged for journeys that he now just accepts being discriminated

against. It is not my fault. We are classed as second`class citizens

because we are in a wheelchair. Boro Taxis said it could no longer

pick up people in wheelchairs because it's a "specialist service"

which costs it more to run. David Saha has worked for the

company for 29 years. He says wheelchairs users have to be charged

more, because the taxis used are more expensive and the jobs take

longer. We have two strap the person in the

vehicle safely. It might take the driver a long time to do that. He

cannot afford to work for such a small amount of money.

But the company's decision led to a public outcry. Over the weekend,

14,000 people signed up to an online campaign to boycott the firm.

Now the company has reversed its decision, even though it will lose

money it says it will now subsidise the service and disabled passengers

will now be charged the same fair regardless of the size of vehicle.

Earlier I spoke to disability rights champion Baroness Tanni

Grey`Thompson, who lives on Teesside, and I asked her what she

made of Boro Taxi's U`turn. It highlights that there is a

problem with disabled people and especially wheelchair users getting

picked up by taxi drivers all over the country. The publicity was not

great, but the fact that the council and the taxi company will sort this

out is something positive. We don't want taxi drivers to lose money but

it is wrong if wheelchair users are being refused the ability to use

cars in the local area. Does it perhaps cost more to assist

wheelchair users? I think that may be true if it is a

minibus, and people choose to use minibuses because you can carry more

people, but that is not the case for a wheelchair adapted vehicles. There

are taxes around the country that provide this service. One of the

issues is legislation is likely out of date on this. The disability

discrimination act, transport was never the strong as part of that. It

is not about whether it is legally right, but morally right. What has

happened over the weekend has really highlighted some of the problems

that exist. Have you experienced similar

problems? Yes, in London and the rest of the

country. Perhaps taxi drivers have driven past three and have ignored

me. But that is happening less and less. We have two make this better

for everyone. Thank you.

An inquest in Sunderland has heard how an elderly man stabbed his wife

to death, before killing himself. The bodies of James Stokoe and his

wife, May ` who were both 79 ` were found in their home in Castletown

last summer. Today's inquest heard Mr Stokoe had been diagnosed with

cancer, and had attempted to commit suicide a few months earlier.

There was good news and bad news for rail commuters in Cumbria today. The

coastal route from Carlisle to Maryport, undermined by coastal

flooding two weeks ago, reopened. But the West Coast Mainline was

closed until this afternoon after two freight trains collided near

Penrith. The trains were being used for track maintenance.

More rail disruption for Cumbria. A freight train carrying ballast to

renew points at Penrith crashed into the back of another freight train on

Sunday afternoon, derailing part of both of them. The line between the

town and Carlisle was closed for 24 hours whilst the trains were removed

and the tracks repaired. Rail users are being reassured that the line is

safe. It's a totally different method of

operation for passenger trains, passenger trains work with an

electronic signalling system. When trains are working in close

proximity to an engineering works site, it is controlled by different

procedures. So, a totally different method from passenger operations.

Can I deduce from that, that it is human error, then?

We need to do the full investigation.

But on the whole, it was humans managing the system rather than a

machine that is to blame? That's correct. The operation on

site was a human process following procedures. We

the problems with that which led to this low speed

coastal rail route was finally reopened. Tracks at Flimby had been

washed away during to the recent high tides and strong winds. The

line was closed from Carlisle to Maryport whilst the sea defences

were rebuilt and the tracks replaced. The repairs near Penrith

were far less complicated. Fortunately, the crash happened at

low speed, leaving only one of the drivers with minor injuries. But two

investigations will be held now to try to work out what happened.

The Government says it's providing money to freeze council tax this

year. Yet it seems the majority of the North East and Cumbria's

councils are planning to put bills up. They say the help on offer isn't

enough, as it's equivalent to just a 1% council tax rise. But ministers

insist the taxpayer should be put first.

It's all smiles at this children's centre in Blaydon. But there's a

threat. Gateshead Council is considering halving its Sure Start

budget. Parents fear that could close centres like this.

Mums who have used the centre in the past and have second babies on the

way, like myself, are just panicking and thinking "goodness, what are we

going to do?". At a time when I really need it, the service that I

rely on most is at risk. Gateshead Council says the cut could

help it save ?45 million. But it is also asking whether people might be

prepared to pay more council tax to protect services.

Well, I'd rather pay less. Maybe a small amount, yeah, just to

keep care in the community going. If services were worth it, I would

be prepared to pay. I think we pay enough already, I'm

struggling as it is. Some councils, though, say bills

will have to go up. Darlington is planning a 2% rise. It won't stop

all the cuts. This railway museum will still lose its funding in two

years' time. But the council says the increase will make a difference.

It's a lot on top of the other charges that people are facing, I'm

acutely aware of that. But the alternative is that something like

60% of current spending goes on adult social care, so there is no

way we can bring the budget in without affecting areas where people

don't want us to make a cut. We need that revenue.

That won't please Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles. He insists

councils have enough funds to freeze bills. So he might be pretty steamed

up when he sees what most have planned. Durham, North Yorkshire,

Cumbria, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Northumberland,

Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland are all considering a

similar rise of 2% or just below. Only Hartlepool, Newcastle and North

Tyneside have so far committed to freeze.

The BBC has learned that in the past five years, schools across the North

East have contacted about a child's welfare. BBC

Newcastle obtained the information through a freedom of information

request. It shows in the past school year alone, social services were

contacted by teachers in the region on average 150 times a week.

Our health reporter Sharon Barbour has been looking at the findings,

and joins me now. 20,000 sounds a huge number, but do

we know how serious their concerns were?

It is a large number and is going up rapidly. There has been a hundred

percent rise. Many teachers and schools of contacted social services

about a child. The calls can be about anything from suspected abuse

to neglect or even about food in their lunchboxes. We spoke earlier

to a children's charity. There could be a range of different

reasons why a child is referred to social services. It isn't always

because somebody is worried about the safety or concerns about

neglect. But there are obviously a number of issues families may have

some difficulty coping with. What is the main problem?

One problem is increased financial pressure. We have just heard that

it's a council is considering halving its budget and financial

pressures on families are causing problems. Also, high`profile cases

are flagging this up. Earlier, we spoke to the same charity.

The earlier you get in to a family, the more likely you are to resolve

the crisis and the less likely you are to need more formal systems,

like child protection. While this sounds worrying, some

councils say that this may actually be a good thing. Because teachers

are being encouraged to flag up concerns. At the end of the day, the

safety of the child is crucial. A fire that began at a carpet

recycling plant in Northumberland almost five months ago is still

burning. But it should finally be put out in the next three weeks.

Last Friday, David Cameron said he would take a personal interest in

making sure the waste from the fire at Thrunton was urgently removed.

The issue had been raised by Berwick`upon`Tweed's Liberal

Democrat MP, Sir Alan Beith, during Prime Minister's Questions. Now the

Environment Agency has served an enforcement notice on the owner of

Blackwater North East ` where the fire started, last September.

Almost five months on and this fire at Thrunton near Alnwick is still

burning. The reason? This former brick works site is close to the

village's natural water supply. Putting the fire out could

contaminate the water forever. Nearby the residents say they're

affected daily. Everybody is just fed up with it

all. It is getting us all down. We just want our lives back.

Today residents heard of progress. This newsletter informs residents

that around two thirds of the burning material has now been

extinguished. The best estimate is it could be three weeks before this

fire is out. Environment Agency tests have shown that waste is

nonhazardous. It means that there are no cleaner options to manage the

large piles of waste remaining. An Environment Agency enforcement

notice has been served on the site operator meaning the waste must be

removed from the site or stored more securely ` within a six week

deadline. We will insist that the operator

provides us with details about exactly when and how this material

will be removed. We will monitor that. Ultimately, if they do not

comply with this notice they could face prosecution. I have been

working now for five months and we want to see things happening. Once a

truck comes out of the brickworks loaded with the extinguished

material then we will be feeling a lot better.

You're watching Look North. Still to come: quite a few talking points in

Team Talk after the weekend's football including THAT disallowed

goal. weather`wise. Some weather

warnings. Join me later. More sport now ` with some

spectacular goals and a fair amount of controversy in this week's Team

Talk. There was so much action, on and off

the field. We could talk about the Newcastle`Manchester City game all

night, but we'll come to that in a moment.

The result of the weekend was undoubtedly Sunderland's 4`1 win at

Fulham. Not just a great performance, it also lifted the

Black Cats off the bottom of the Premier League table and they're

only a couple of wins away from tenth.

A magic display from Adam Johnson, who's terrific form in the past

couple of weeks has put him back in the frame for a place in England's

World Cup squad this summer. Also a call from this player who is

on loan from Swansea. A real discovery for Sunderland this

season. He must be the number one keeper now.

It's massive for us, and especially for the other teams, I think there

are going to be a few people looking over their shoulder. I think that's

great, we had nothing to lose, we were bottom and everyone said we

were adrift and now we are confident and showed today that we can be a

force. Well if Sunderland's victory was the

performance of the Premier League weekend, the biggest talking points

were to be found at St James's Park yesterday.

Yes, two main ones ` both branded "disgraceful" by some media outlets.

Alan Pardew's touchline rant in a moment but first THAT incident which

would have brought Newcastle level at 1`1 with Man City. Referee Mike

Jones disallowed Cheick Tiote's goal because he thought Yoan Gouffran,

who was in an offside position, was interfering with play, which he

clearly wasn't and he wasn't obstructing Joe Hart's view either.

It was the referee's call. Here we can see an identical goalless jeer

and that was allowed. can see an identical goalless jeer

He's not interfering with Joe Hart's vision, in fact it goes on the

inside of him, and in fact the Man City players are impairing Joe's

vision. It is a tiny, technical matter that he's talking about here

and to chalk a goal of that quality takes some doing.

This was a quality goal. Newcastle matched them.

Not such great news for Newcastle. Newcastle have now lost four in a

row. The FA are not taking any action

they are. And late this afternoon Norwich

announced that Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez is joining them on

loan until June. In the Championship, apart from

top`of`the`table Leicester, Middlesbrough are the form side at

the moment having won four of their last five games.

The victory over Blackpool after late goals from Mustafa Carayol

means Boro are now just six points off the playoff places. After taking

a month to settle in it seems Aitor Karanka is turning things around at

the Riverside. There were a couple of little tests for goalkeeper Shay

Given and Boro had this shot cleared off the line but it wasn't until six

minutes from time that they broke the deadlock when Carayol set off

down the wing to fire in this shot from 20 yards. The Gambian's second

goal three minutes into injury time means Boro haven't lost in the

league since December 21st and they're at home to struggling

Charlton next ` worth dancing about! Not such good times for Carlisle

though ` the Blues are just three points off the League One relegation

zone after their second thumping of the season at the hands of Leyton

Orient. Not 5`1 this time but still 4`0. Orient are currently on course

for promotion. Two second`half goals in two minutes

sealed York City's victory over Northampton ` the first from Ryan

Bowman who headed in Josh Carson's cross was swiftly followed by a

penalty from Wes Fletcher after Michael Coulson was brought down in

the box. Three wins in a row have pulled the Minstermen well away from

the relegation zone. That result puts York above

Hartlepool on goal difference after Pools suffered their second

consecutive 3`0 defeat at Victoria Park ` this time against promotion

chasing Rochdale. And tonight's Inside Out looks at

the continuing appeal of amateur football ` for fans and players. It

follows former Middlesbrough player George Friend as he prepares to run

out for Shildon AFC. That's at 7.30pm here on BBC One.

Basketball: commiserations to Newcastle Eagles who for the second

year running lost to Leicester Riders in the BBL Cup yesterday

despite being just a couple of minutes from victory. A couple of

minutes can be a long time in basketball though. The Eagles were

leading by 11 points with four minutes left on the clock thanks in

large part to Charles Smith who fired in 27 points for Newcastle.

But former Eagles star Drew Sullivan inspired his Leicester Riders side

to an dramatic comeback scoring 11 points in a row and finished with a

double to land the Most Valuable Player Award.

England's women showed the men how it should be done winning their

Ashes Test Match against Australia in Perth. The team which included

spin bowler Danielle Hazell from Durham dismissed Australia for 123

in their second innings ` her Yorkshire team`mate Katherine Brunt

taking the final wicket. They should've been playing for the

men! He ` or she ` was lost a long way

from home, so the Search and Rescue team was called out to save the day.

But this wasn't a hill walker or a canoeist. It was a SEAL that

became marooned in a Cumbrian farmer's field. These men faced many

challenges during their years with the Morecambe Bay Search and Rescue

team. This weekend came one of their most unusual to date.

The seal had been reported near Appleby and they wanted somebody

with a vehicle to transport it. To release back in the sea, if we could

catch it. They made their way to a field near

Appleby were they eventually found this. A young seal a long way from

home. It is believed the animal must have made its way into the river at

this location. They reckon he must have swum around 50 miles to get

that far. He was in no hurry to leave, in fact he was far from

pleased to see his rescuers. Seals can have a vicious nature, despite

their cuddly appearance. They have large eyes and you have a desire to

pat it on the head but it would take off your fingers because they are

like an Alsatian. It was like a shark, trying to bite everybody! We

were all safe in the end. They did eventually coaxed the

animal into a special container. The seal wandered down the beach and

off it went. After his incredible journey, he is back where he

belongs. That would've been a nice warm

journey. It is still the middle of January.

Thank you for this image. January sunset here. We have a Met Office

warning for ice in effect. We have a band of showers working its way from

West to East. As the showers clear away, things will turn cold.

Temperatures staying just above freezing. We may see some icy

stretches forming. We may have some fog and mist. That could be

slaughtered clear tomorrow morning, but most places will be dry. Some

bright spells in the middle of the day before the next band of rain

arrives. Top temperature tomorrow afternoon is seven Celsius. With the

freshening southerly breeze, it will feel colder than that. This weather

system hangs around through Wednesday. A quiet spell on

Thursday. Then the showers merged together again on Friday. It will be

cold enough for a touch of frost over the next couple of nights. Rain

returning on Friday. Winds are southerly, so temperatures not doing

too badly. Further east, the rain will be less widespread.

Thank you very much. I like the weather pictures. Goodbye.