10/02/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

Thank you. That's all from the BBC News at Six so it's goodbye from me,

Good evening, on Monday's Look North. Calls for Yorkshire's cities

to be made safer for cycling. As accident rates go up by a third in

just four years, we'll find out why cycling to work is still so

unpopular in Leeds and Sheffield. It can feel quite vulnerable so it

would help if drivers were more understanding. We'll put these

concerns to Leeds City Council ahead of this Summer's Tour de France Also

tonight, tributes are paid to a Halifax rugby player, who died after

a fight in a night club. A snapshot of Yorkshire mining life

as an exhibition of photographs goes on display.

And as the Super League season gets under way I'll be looking at who

could be giants this season with Huddersfield's Eorl

looking very flashy this weekend and there is more rain to come this

weekend. First tonight, calls for Yorkshire's

cities to be safer for cyclists as the region prepares to host the

Grand Depart of the Tour de France. Local councils hope the event will

inspire more of us to get on our bikes. The number of cyclists killed

or seriously injured in the Yorkshire region rose by nearly a

third between 2009 and 2012. So is safety one of the reasons why only

about 1% of commuters cycle to work in Leeds and Sheffield. And in

Bradford that figure drops to just 0.5% of commuters. In York, cycling

is more attractive. Here, 8% of commuters use pedal power to get to

work. So how safe are our commuter routes? Here's our Tour de France

correspondent Matt Slater. Science`fiction writer HG Wells once

said that when he saw an adult on a bike he no longer the for humanity.

This is one of a tiny minority here who rides to work, even if it means

going off`road is to get there. Leeds is not that different from

many cities in the UK and most are not designed with the bike in mind,

so most find it quite an intimidating experience. I think

they could benefit from everybody trying to be more understanding of

each other's point of view and it can feel quite vulnerable so it

would help if drivers wearing a little bit more understanding. Only

about 1% of journeys in Leeds and Sheffield is made by bike but is

that any surprise? In the last four years, deaths and serious injuries

for cyclists are up by one third. I set up from the traffic lights and

got to this junction, quite busy normally in the morning so you are

alert to that but unfortunately a car came towards me and turned right

in front of me and I hit the side of that. I ended up on the other side

of the card. Took a bang to the head and broke bits and bobs and spent

the day in hospital. The driver did not set off that morning saying I

will take out a cyclist. Barcelona brilliance inspired recycling gold

rush that followed and he was in London today to champion a campaign

for more cycling. The one word that encapsulate Sithole is commitment.

We will make Britain a cycling nation to rival any of our European

neighbours, but for funding, it is treated like a worthy cause getting

a lump of cash but no long`term commitment. They have committed to

spending nearly ?30 million for recycling superhighway and upgrading

the towpath. They are also hoping the Tour de France will inspire us

to change for two wheels. Well, joining us now is Councillor

Richard Lewis who's responsible for cycling at Leeds City Council, and

Paul Osborne from the cycling campaign group Sustrans. Leeds is

way behind the national average when it comes to cycling for work, why?

Leeds is topographically quite challenging with the a lot of hills

but there is not a tradition of cycling and people have depended on

public transport, so we are starting from a low base and we can see real

change taking place but it is from a very low point and it will take some

time. Where do you want to be? We are certainly putting in a number of

groups on our cycle network and Riyadh about halfway through that

programme, which is creating routes largely away from main roads and

quiet roads. That is the strategic network which gets people into the

city centre. You have just highlighted the scheme we are part

of which will be a real change. Here there's a connection Bradford and

Leeds. Is it not down to one thing? There is no appetite for it? The

address and appetite and we can see a large increase in the numbers of

people cycling, around 50% over the last decade. How do you make Leeds

and other cities become cycling cities? It is about making the roads

safer and we hear about separating cyclists from traffic. It is also

about slowing traffic down. It is also about changing the culture in

schools and workplaces to see cycling as something contemporary,

healthy and ideal. If we look at Copenhagen, 50% of schoolchildren

cycle to school, did we ever see that here? Why not. We have found

two thirds of children would like to cycle to school, so for that to

happen we have to give the parents confidence that they are safe

enough. You have the opportunity to create some cycle lanes, making

leads the forerunner of a complete renovation in the way we cycled to

work? One of our problems is we are where we are. We have a road network

designed around the car, but what we have done so far in terms of

introducing new routes and the work in the city centre will actually

make the city far more cycle friendly. 20 mph zones are big part

of what we are trying to do, which is trying to encourage people to

cycle in their neighbourhoods, making people feel comfortable

cycling from home to the newsagents and local schools. All schools and

Leeds have an offer from us to encourage children to do cycle

training. Just quickly, are Leeds City Council committed to a lasting

legacy? Absolutely and there would be no point in doing so if we were

not. We would look desperately foolish if we were not thinking,

what will be the result of this? We want a city that is healthier, and

they will be if they get on their bikes. I believe that we will have a

real legacy of more and more people cycling. Many of you have been

getting in touch, particularly from a driver's point of view. Dave

Parkin says, Cyclists can make themselves safer by having lights on

their bikes. The amount I see with no lights on dark mornings is

alarming to say the least. Jonathan Harrison says, We used to

have to pass a cycling proficiency test before we could cycle to

school. Bring it back for all cyclists and charge for it.

Phil Heppenstall says, The most annoying thing that cyclists do is

push to the front at red traffic lights which makes it hard for the

motorists to get going and just means you have to overtake them yet

again. But Alex Turnbull says, There are

bad cyclists and bad drivers. Both should follow the Highway Code and

drivers need to calm down when overtaking cyclists. And John Merry

says, Forget cycle lanes, cycle paths are what are needed. Total

segregation from other road users. As a cyclist and motorist I see the

atrocities committed by both sides. And on tomorrow's Look North we'll

look at how safe cyclists are on our rural roads.

Matt goes out with the newly formed Holmfirth Cycling Club ` and finds

out why the boom in pedal power has led them to provide their own

lessons about safety. Later on Look North. What a

difference a week makes. Leeds manager Brian McDermott is set

to meet the man who tried to sack him tomorrow, as Massimo Cellino

flies into town. A rugby club is in mourning for the

loss of one of their most popular players, killed in a nightclub

attack in Halifax in the early hours of yesterday morning. Andrew

Feather, who was 38, has been described as a true gentleman on and

off the rugby union field. Earlier today a man was arrested in

Huddersfield on suspicion of the manslaughter of Mr Feather, who died

after being hit by a single punch. Our Crime Correspondent John Cundy

reports. Andrew Feather, a warm man who made

friends wherever he went. Within hours, colleagues from all over the

world were sending condolences. He had gone to in a club to celebrate a

victory on Saturday but it ended tragically, and he died from a

single punch. They had played together in the Halifax second team

on Saturday. Devastated. Stunned does not fit home hard enough. It

was a real tragedy and it has really affected every member of the club.

The death of Andrew Feather is the latest in a sad but increasing trend

of incidents in recent years. One punch may be thrown in the heat of

an argument, the victim falls, strikes his head and dies. The

police have been repeatedly highlighting the horrors of one

punch and drink fuelled deaths. He was the type to intervene in trouble

rather than cause it but incidents happen and it is just tragic. He was

a close friend and colleague on the field of play. As a man continues to

be questioned tonight over the death, friends are mourning the loss

of their playing colleague who had been with them on the rugby field.

Detectives are appealing for information after an elderly woman

suffered severe bruising during a robbery by bogus callers at her

Rotherham flat. After pushing the pensioner into her flat, a man tried

to restrain the 92`year`old, whilst a woman searched the property.

Around ?400 was stolen before the pair left the woman's home in Bawtry

Road at just before seven o'clock on Saturday evening.

Three flood warnings are in place in our region tonight. People living

alongside the River Ouse in York off Kings Staith, Queens Staith, South

Esplanade, New Walk, Bishopthorpe Marina, Rowntree Park and St

George's Field have been told to watch water levels. Naburn Lock is

also at risk. Volunteers are being asked to run

ten libraries in Sheffield in order to keep them open. The council says

it can't fund them, but volunteers can bid for a share of ?260,000.

There have been protests against the plans, but the council says it's

increasing the amount of money available. 12 libraries will stay

under council control, but some will have reduced opening hours. It is

important that the council provides a comprehensive and efficient

service so we have equalised the hours so that every community will

get 31 hours regardless of where you live.

Tourism bosses in York have welcomed the news that visitor spending in

the city has exceeded half a billion pounds for the first time. New

figures show that in 2012, seven million visitors spent ?606 million

between them, with food and drink being the number one area of spend,

followed closely by shopping. Tourism accounts for one in five

jobs in the city. Before seven o'clock, we'll have a

round up of the weekend's sport, and coal mining over the decades, we'll

get an insight into mining life as it used to be as a new exhibition

goes on display. And coal mining over the decades, an insight into

mining life past and present with the new exhibition going on display.

Now for the weekend's sport here's Tanya. Football first, and what a

difference a week makes for Leeds United. Last Saturday fans

demonstrated against Massimo Cellino taking over. Now it seems he's doing

his best to win them over and getting ready to work with the

manager he tried to sack ten days ago. Ian Bucknell has the latest.

Last weekend, the manager and prospective owner of Leeds United

whereat odds. Some protesters `` fans protested the sacking. This

weekend, he was very much in charge. They won 2`1 and it was clear the

manager wants to leave the recent troubles behind. We just want

football on the pitch and nothing else. I think the most important

thing for me is to concentrate on the staff and players and just doing

my job and what will be will be. He did his best to build bridges and

then an interview with a national paper, he said...

But after a decade of false dawns and frustrations, fans I spoke to

today still needed convincing that he is the real deal. You do not know

what he will do and I am still convinced he does not rate McDermott

very much. He has got deep pockets but it is whether he puts his hands

on them that is the question. People are looking forward to having

financial security and after 13 years of difficulty, it is maybe a

new era. That remains to be seen however. Tomorrow night Leeds play

Brighton but it seems there's still a long way before he and the manager

are marching on together. And with the rest of the highlights

from our teams this weekend, here's Shamir Masri.

Huddersfield halted a run of four successive defeats with a strike

from Adam Clayton. Sheffield Wednesday continued their

impressive run. In the second half, the second goal and they are now

unbeaten in 11. Goals from Chris O'Grady looks to

have given Barnsley a much needed when but two Ipswich goals in the

last ten minutes saw both teams earn a point.

In League one, Bradford came from behind twice to win a point. Goals

from James Hansen and Gary Jones levelled the scoring. It finished

3`3. Sheffield United recorded their

first league win in the four matches. They remain in the

relegation places. In League two, Chesterfield are

still leaders, coming from behind in their clash against Scunthorpe. It

finished 1`1. If you missed any of the action, the

Football League Schuller is now on I clear.

Meawhile in rugby league there could be another change of ownership at

Bradford Bulls. Richard Lamb, the man hoping to buy the Bulls, has

told BBC Radio Leeds that the RFL have granted him a provisional fit

and proper licence. He says he may be in a position to make a formal

offer for the club later this week or early next.

Now Super League is back and it started with a bang for the

Huddersfield Giants. They beat the reigning champions Wigan in the

opening match of the season and the Giants Eorl Crabtree is here. It was

quite sum game. Fireworks and a few of them went off straightaway. We

knew it would be a massive test for us and we have come out on top. You

started last season fantastically so presumably you have your eye on the

trophy again this year. No more so than ever, it is more realistic. The

opportunities for us around the corner and we know we have to keep

playing well and can probably for silverware. It was a fantastic game

from the entire squad but he had another fantastic and important game

for you. An average importance `` an average performance for him! It is

just the whole effort by the team. Danny can work off the back of some

great forward players. We have some great players throughout the whole

of the team. This year we have two teams being relegated, who could be

in the mix? You can grow that at me! I will be shot down for growing

names around. We can probably say London? It is a tough one because

those teams that in the mix but they will want to do as well as they can

but teams like Bradford, it will be difficult for them. And that the

other end who will be challenging you guys? The usual suspects but

Saint Helens have recruited very well. They could all get working

together well, and I think they could push. And you can hear more

from Eorl on tonights Super League Show. It's on BBC One at 11.20,

he'll be alongside Brian Noble. Now onto the Winter Olympics and

Team GB won its first ever medal on snow yesterday with Jenny Jones

getting bronze in the women's slopestyle snowboarding. The weekend

started well with Bradford's Jamie Nicholls getting an excellent sixth

place in the men's final. Jamie's run was watched by his sisters Steph

and Sophie in Wakefield and for a while he was in second place, before

eventually being nudged down into sixth. He was very upbeat about just

getting to the final, with him and Team GB colleague Billy Morgan both

making the top ten. If we have the facilities, we could maybe even have

more opportunities in the UK for people to learn things like that,

and maybe we could see British snowboarders on the podium in future

events. Meanwhile you'll have to be up early

tomorrow to watch our next winter Olympian. Sheffield slopestyle

skiier Katie Summerhayes takes to the slopes at 6am. She won silver at

the last World Cup prior to the Olympic Games, marking a successful

injury comeback. Finally from me to Yorkshire success

in the national badminton championships which were held in

Milton Keynes this weekend. Gabby Adcock from Leeds took two titles,

retaining the women's doubles with Lauren Smith, beating the top seeds

21`10 and 21`19. Then she won the mixed doubles with her husband Chris

` making them the first married couple to win the event since 1967.

Not many people as crazy as we are. The main thing is that we won and we

had fun winning. We want to win a medal at the Olympics and hit the

world number one spot. There's still a lot of work to be done but we

definitely believe we achieve that. I wonder what it is like at home

when they do not when! And that's the sport. Eorl Crabtree

is a big lad! The next item is aA new exhibition of photographs which

capture miners at work has gone on display at the National Coal Mining

Museum near Wakefield. The portraits by award winning Yorkshire

photographer Anton Want were inspired by the work of a painter

commissioned by the National Coal Board just after the Second World

War. Ian White's been for a look. They say every picture tells a story

and as they face featured in this exhibition does just that, without

the need for awards. A snapshot of working life at Yorkshire's last

deep pet. We wanted to look and record the industry as it is today.

People look at this in terms of its past but forget that it is still

current. The photographs by Anton Want are more than take on the

sketch portraits commissioned by the old National coal board after the

Second World War. His drawings captured characters of the day. The

photographs are in the same tradition and honour the work my dad

dead. `` dad did. He enjoyed doing the portraits of minors more than he

did of toffs. The dust than the dirt adds to the character. It is a

subject that lends itself to portraiture. What is lovely about

this is not only are the portraits on the wall but there are some real

life exhibits. He has done a fantastic job. When it came through

I had to take two looks to understand that could actually be

me, but I can assure you it is! I am from a mining community and I

feel very privileged that I was chosen to take the picture, so other

people can look at it in generations to come. He has done a really good

job and it is really well presented. I like it a lot. Anton Want's photos

are on display at the National coal mining Museum until May and will

remain a permanent record of the industry as it is today.

With a bit of snow over the hills and I want to show you a couple of

pictures. A wide shot from Whitby with plenty of sunshine. A bit of

snow is possible mainly over the hills for that commute in the

morning. A little better at lower levels but thankfully the weather

system is moving through the morning quickly, brightening in the

afternoon but showers could be when Terry with rain and sleet and snow.

Rain and snow tomorrow morning followed by a fair number of when

Terry showers then more rain on Wednesday afternoon with the risk of

severe gales. Damaging gusts through to Wednesday morning. Today may well

turn out to be the best day of the week with some sunshine and one or

two showers possible. They will fizzle out and the main problem may

be ice on untreated surfaces. Cloud gathering in the west later tonight

as the wind strengthens from the south. The sun will rise in the

morning. A dry start but it will not last long with rain coming in

between 6am and 9am. Thankfully it is moving through quickly and the

afternoon is brighter with sunshine and the scuttling of sleet or snow,

possibly even some thunder. You may imagine it will feel cold with the

strength of the wind drawing temperatures back to five Celsius.

Showers at first and prolonged rain and the risk of severe gales on

Wednesday night and still windy on Thursday, so a blister the weeks to

come. On the radio York tonight, there are

flood warnings in place and we will update you on that on the late news.

# I tremble I tremble

Commencing AC-12 investigation of DI Lindsay Denton for suspicion