12/01/2017 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

A number of flood warnings are in place across coastal

communities in the north east this evening because of a predicted

Temporary flood barriers have been put in place

on Newcastle's Quayside for the first time.

The environment agency says the high tides combined with high winds

could see the Tyne overtopping in the early hours of

tomorrow morning and again tomorrow afternoon.

We have reporters at two of the affected areas tonight.

Alison Freeman is on the Quayside in Newcastle and Sharon

To you first, Alison, and how is it there at the moment?

It's not quite as blustery as we thought it might be in the water is

not looking that threatening yet but not looking that threatening yet but

the flash points are expected to be overnight and again tomorrow

afternoon which is why we have these temporary flood barriers in place.

There are 13 flood warnings in place so far in our region.

These are red warnings - meaning flooding is expected

The areas affected run right down the North East coastline and in some

They run from Seahouses in the North, taking

in the Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth area,

to Roker at Sunderland, Victoria Harbour in Hartlepool -

where a significant number of properties could be affected,

Whitby has four alerts and Scarborough has three.

There are also five of the less serious Flood Alerts along

the North East Coast - these mean that flooding

Back here, we spent the day with the Environment Agency where they told

us how the events of 2013 lead to them getting hold of these flood

defences. Three years ago, a tidal

surge saw the River Tyne reach its highest level for 30

years, engulfing the roads and Since then, the Environment Agency

has acquired 700 metres of temporary barriers,

which can be deployed It's like flatpack furniture, it

comes as a modulated system, flat, The steel panels then sit

on the front to form the barrier and then what we do is we put

a membrane across the front and water pressure against

the barrier holds it in place. You can do long lengths

really quickly. It's a really effective system

for extra protection Today, a 200-metre stretch

is being put up along the lowest It's the first time the barrier has

been used to protect We haven't had these

barriers very long. We got them at the back end of last

year and did a test in December so it is really timely that we've

got these defences We're expecting quite

a significant tide tonight, the highest of the year,

plus with the strong conditions, there is a surge where the sea level

will raise up plus onshore wind is driving the waves

against the coastline and up the estuaries so these temporary

defences will prevent water coming out of the River Tyne

onto the Quayside. The water levels were noticeably

higher this afternoon, but the high tides that are causing

most concern are expected at around 3am tomorrow morning and then again

at 4pm tomorrow afternoon. I am joined by Fiona Morris from the

Environment Agency. Can you tell us if you're expecting it to be as bad

as first thought? We are working around the clock to monitor the

situation and we're expecting some flooding on the high tide and

tomorrow afternoon, so the levels will not get as high as 2013 but

we're expecting very high winds and that will create a lot of large

waves which will cause problems with overtopping so that'll be all the

way along the coast and we encouraging people to stay away the

coast. It is tempting to have a look but it is dangerous both the waves

and debris is. Do you think it will be as bad as you were expecting? We

are expecting to be high in the early hours of the morning and it is

hard to predict whether waves but we are prepared and we have taken all

the necessary steps and we're confident all the steps put in place

will minimise risks. I know it is a bit of a cliche but we are going to

have to just wait and see. The whether the forecast will come into

fruition. Well, as Alison said,

Hartlepool is another location under Sharon Barbour is there

for us this evening. It is a really rather beautiful

evening with the midnight on the sea and it is from the sea the real fear

as are that it'll overtop the 14th century wall protects Hartlepool. I

am joined by Denise Ogden from the council. You have new flood defence

the first time tonight. Yes, we are the first time tonight. Yes, we are

very confident it will likely do the job it was engineered for. What are

your biggest concerns? We don't really have concerns, we are

confident the engineering is in place and the council was on

stand-by to assist any residents as needed. We have the high sea levels

and the strong winds and this is why the Environment Agency is concerned

about the waves coming over Larkhall. You have flood defence

scheme that you hope will protect residents but it is not only in the

morning but in the afternoon as well? The cautionary measures that

have been issued for this flood defence warning will be in place for

their tour Monday to ensure we are their tour Monday to ensure we are

protecting our residents and as always the council are there to

assist. And any advice for residents tonight and tomorrow? If you're

concerned contact the council land Environment Agency and we will be on

hand to help. Thank you very much and for now it is back to you.

A man's been accused of murdering a grandmother before using HER phone

79-year-old Norma Bell from Hartlepool fostered more

than 50 children but was found dead at her home last April.

Today the man accused of killing her, 33-year-old

He's accused of strangling the pensioner with an electrical

cable and then starting a fire at her home.

Norma Bell had nine children of her own. For over 35 years she and her

husband had fostered and cared for at more than 50 babies and toddlers.

Last April fire crews were called to her home in Hartlepool. As officers

carried her out they found the 79 euros's trousers had been pulled

down below her knees and her tights and underwear cut. An electrical

cable had also been widened around her neck. The prosecution claim

Gareth Dack strangled Norma Bell and then started two fires in her house.

The court heard he was a drug user who was short of money and he had

borrowed ?10 from the pensioner. His DNA was found on a spent match on

the gas hob and on the ligature around her neck. In the hours before

the body was discovered the prosecution had Gareth Dack called a

chatline using Norma Bell's phone. The Court also heard Gareth Dack

sold a new television the night before the body was found. Police

found ?400 in the glove box of his car, parked nearby. The prosecution

say that money was also stolen. 33-year-old Gareth Dack denies

killing the pensioner. Two teenagers have appeared in court

jointly charged with robbing a post office in Ravenglass in west

Cumbria. 19-year-old Reece Kirk,

and a 17-year-old boy are accused of taking ?130

in cash yesterday morning. Today magistrates in Carlisle

remanded Kirk in custody and bailed the younger teenager

to local authority accommodation. The Princess Royal was in

North Yorkshire today visiting a scheme which aims to make houses

more affordable for local people She toured 16 new houses

at Hutton Rudby where people had become concerned that a lack

of families would threaten the future of the school

and other services. People like Nick, who thought he'd

be priced out of his local area by commuters, have been able

to secure a home. It is really expensive, house prices

are through the roof. Now you can spend the rest of your life you and

your kids can stay? It is lovely what we have here, a fantastic area.

Well, we've got flood alerts on the east coast,

but on the west coast they've had snow.

This was scenic Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria this afternoon.

Plenty of people there wanting to capture the view.

What have we got to look forward to, Paul?

Tonight, it is mostly dry and clear at the minute but we are expecting

an area of cloud, sleet and snow to spread down from the north through

the night. That puts down a light covering of snow in places. Icy

stretches could be the main thing to watch out for tomorrow morning. The

wind is picking up. We have all about the flood risk on the

north-east coast through the early hours of the morning with the winds

gusting up to 60 mph overnight. Tomorrow essentially it is a dry day

with plenty of weak winter sunshine and the odd shower clipping the

coast but the wind stays very strong with gusts of around 60 mph along

the coast was another spring tide expected around about 4pm tomorrow.

The temperature tomorrow peaks around for Celsius and it will feel

bitterly cold in the north-west winds. Heading towards the weekend,

we start to see the windy Kiesling, still a chilly day on Saturday but

by Sunday these weather fronts start to lift the temperature somewhat by

the end of the weekend. Satterlee is mostly dry, the temperature up to

four or five but the wind much lighter. Sunday sees a lot more

cloud and the temperature up towards double figures. I will leave you

with the summary for the note. If that's not your sort of

thing, Sunday will be cloudier and milder.

Good evening. It was such a mild December, wasn't it, but winter has

arrived. Tomorrow morning, again, could be prising the wipers off the

frozen windscreen. Yes, it's going to be cold tonight, whether it is

liquid,/ or snow, it will