01/04/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

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

Welcome to Look North On thd programme tonight: Embarrassment for

the City of York Council, as a tribunal rules it may have `cted

unlawfully in fining drivers who broke the controversial Lendal

Bridge traffic ban The Council issued more than ?1 million worth of

fines. We'll be getting thehr response to the tribunal's findings.

Also tonight: Health warnings as air pollution levels in Yorkshire reach

potentially dangerous levels. And star of stage and screen, Robert

Powell, tells us about his new role as Belgium's famous detective.

Being a French agentor means you can get away with murder ` in a French

accent. Well, a beautiful afternoon. This

was Grassington a few hours ago Join me for that detailed forecast.

Good evening and welcome to Tuesday's programme. There's

embarrassment for York Council tonight, after it emerged that it

might have acted unlawfully, by issuing more than ?1 million worth

of fines to motorists who drove over Lendal Bridge and on Coppergate

during a controversial trial. One motorist appealed against hhs fixed

penalty notice and was told by a tribunal that the council h`d "no

power" to issue penalties. So why was the trial introduced? Charlotte

has the details. You may remember the Council banned

general traffic from using Lendel Bridge and Coppergate during much of

the day, as part of a six`month trial to cut congestion in the city

centre. During that time ne`rly 60,000 drivers have been fined.

Motorists fined more than ?0. 3 million. It's generated ?700,00 for

the Council but today's rulhng throws the whole trial into

question. Our reporter, Danny Carpenter is at Lendel Bridge for us

tonight. What does today's ruling mean? Well, essentially, wh`t this

is about is what does and does not constitute a bus lane. If you have

been one of many thousands of drivers who have been over the

bridge during the day, what happens next, is you get a letter through

the post accusing you of violating a bus lane but what today's rtling has

said is that there are so m`ny exemptions and so many vehicles who

are allowed on the bridge dtring the day, effectively it is not ` bus

lane at all and therefore the council doesn't have the power to

fine you for going in it thd tribunal was also extremely critical

about the signage around thd bus lane saying it was inadequate and in

some places confusing and on top of that, it describes the way the

Council has handled appeals against fines, as a lottery. Everyone will

want to know what have the council got to say about all this. H managed

to grab a few worded with the Council leader, James Alexander on

the phone. He told me he was surprised. I have also interviewed

Darren Richardson, the officer responsible for the trial. He told

me they are seeking legal advice and until then, they are carrying on as

normal. The difficulties, from many adudicated decisions the authority

has received. We have tolikd at what they are and if we to challdnge

them. `` to look at what thdy are. And then get a view. So we don't

accept it. In your view, tolorrow morning if I I were to drivd over

the bridge, would you issue an enforcement notice? And would I have

to pay? You certainly would. Enforcement and fines continue. It

is a serious matter we are looking into. That's why we need to get

legal advice to check it is right but we will continue to enforce

What does this mean for all the motorists who have paid hundreds of

thousands of pounds? Well, while everything else is up in thd air

after today's ruling, that, I'm afraid has been dealt with puite

firmly. Every single ticket is dealt with as a separate case. If you paid

your fine, that case is now closed. And there will be no retrospective

refunds. Thank you very much. Next tonight: For the past two d`ys

Yorkshire has been experiencing very high levels of air pollution,

leading campaigners to call for much clearer warnings about the potential

dangers to health. At times the levels in cities like Leeds and

Sheffield have been almost twice the safe limit set by the Europdan

Union. Our Health Correspondent Jamie Coulson, reports. It lay have

been a bright day in Leeds but recently across Yorkshire, the air

may not have been as fresh `s you think. If you looked at the skyline

over the past couple of days, you will have noticed it is Hazdl. What

you are looking at there is air pollution. And in some of otr towns

and cities, the levels have been well`above the safe limits set by

the European Union. The Govdrnment rates levels of air pollution on an

index between one and ten, with one being the lowest and ten thd

highest. Last Friday levels no Yorkshire and the Humber were

moderate but as the weekend progressed, they intensified until

reaching very high levels on Sunday, which lasted into Monday. Over the

course of today, they have dipped. But, still remain high. This

pollution is coming from northern Europe, continental European and

being brought across the North Sea. Experts say some of the pollution

has been blown from noe frol Europe whilst some is down to local

emissions. This is mixed with dust being blown over the Sahara and

trapped over Yorkshire by rdlatively still conditions. In the region and

in cities like Leeds and Shdffield we are seeing small concentrations

of mrarls in the atmosphere, which are exceeding the safe limit put

down by the European Union `nd in those cities we are seeing

concentrations almost doubld the amount set down in that limht.

Public health England say most people shouldn't be affected by

short`term peaks in air pollution but that some with heart or lung

problems may need to take precautions. For 84`year`old Eileen

King, who suffers with severe asthma, it can be restrictive When

there are certain weather conditions, such as very cold or

high air pollution, then I have to limit my visit to go outsidd. I have

been recommended by my GP not to be out for more than 15 minutes.

Generally the public are poorly warned about these events. We think

there needs to be a format, similar to that of floods and height wae.s

it is important people understand the risk. `` of and heat waves.

The Government says they have introduced a five`day forec`st

service and are investing on tackling the issue. The pollution we

have seen over the last few days, is predicted to disperse by thd end of

the week. Well, Paul joins us now. Patl, what

has caused these high levels of pollution here in Yorkshire? We have

had a lot of pollution over the near continent but meteorologically it is

unusual to get a severe set`up. We have a wild wint we are strong winds

but we have had an inversion on the top of the atmosphere, trapping the

home`grown pollution and pollution from the near continent and that

deprift south has caused thdse high levels of pollution. `` and that

drift from the south. But for the last few months we have not had this

set`up. Paul, should there be more warning about pollution? Sedms an

anomaly that my job as a broadcast mete Rollings is to give warnings

for everything, floods, ice, snow, playings of locusts, but solething

like high levels of air pollution is not within my remit. Last nhght I

put a warning up on Look North because I had been alerted by Leeds

University of the high levels of pollution, and I thought it was in

the public interest. It seels to mow it is anomalous and something we

warn of and we should warn people of the high levels of pollution, as we

had in Paris a few weeks back. Later on Look North: Should Sheffheld take

in refugees from the war in Syria? The Deputy Prime Minister w`des in

after Sheffield says it can't afford to provide a temporary home for

victims of the civil war. The jury at the new inquest in to

the 96 Hillsborough victims has been hearing a minute by minute `ccount

of how the disaster unfolded. The coroner has asked some pointed

questions about the role of Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield,

the South Yorkshire police commander in charge of the match. Our Crime

Correspondent, John Cundy, hs outside the inquest building in

Warrington. Tom, what has bden taking place today? Well, Phil, Lord

Justice Goldring told the jtry they have to decide how the 96 Lhverpool

fans died. The original inqtest verdicts of accidental death having

been quashed. He said they would be looking in a major way at the role

of the police and their control of the match that day and the response

of the emergency services as the tragedy unfolded.

What has been said about thd role of the emergency services, then? Well,

first of all, Lord Justice Goldring said, "The attitude of the police in

1989 seemed to be, let the fans find their own levels on the terraces."

He went on to say, "As the tragedy unfolded, neither the policd or

emergency services seemed to appreciate the scale of what was

happening." He said they should have done, they were trained to respond

to something like that. He talked about the appointment of thd David

Duckenfield to be the match Commander, he said the jury might

want to consider whether it was a sensible appointment when hd had no

experience of conducting large crowds. He talked the jury through

the minutes of the tragedy built`up. Three times Mr Dukken field was

asked to open the exit gates to relieve congestion. He finally said

` if there is likely to be ` serious injury or death, I have no option,

open the gate. Then the coroner went on to ask ` why did he go on to

blame Liverpool fans for brdaking the door down, the coroner said

there was no question of th`t, so why did he say what he did? And

John, what is likely to happen tomorrow? The judge will colplete

his opening statement to. Hd left the jury with these thoughts

overnight. He said, "Over the coming days, you will hear much more about

those who died. It will makd extremely moving accounts. We are

dealing with very many human tragedies."

Many thanks. In other news now, and the mother of a murdered Ledds

teenager plans to make an official complaint to West Yorkshire police

over the failure to track down a suspect. 16`year`old Tyrone Clarke

was beaten and stabbed to ddath by a gang in Beeston in 2004. Fotr men

are serving life sentences for the murder. Qasim Majid is still wanted

by the police. He's thought to be in Pakistan and it's now emergdd that

he's managed to get a new British passport.

I mean how do you have somebody on Britain's Most Wanted Crimewatch and

wanted for murder and he don't flag up. It is not the Passport Office,

it is not their fault. They have checked their data base, thdy have

done their job. It's the police that haven't done theirs. I am going to

put a complaint in. For ten years of stress, what it has caused le and my

family. The coroner in Scarborough has recorded three verdicts of

accidental death at the inqtest into a head`on crash in November. The

three victims of the crash, at Wharram Percy near Pickering,

included a mother and her tdenage son. They were all Polish pdople who

worked at the Malton bacon factory. They were driving to work e`rly in

the morning when their car collided with a van.

Two new super councils have been created today aimed at bringing jobs

and economic growth to Yorkshire. West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire

Combined Authorities have bden set up to work together to develop

transport and the economy across Yorkshire. There have been

traditional rivalries, not just between districts but within

districts. I think the time has come now to acknowledge we are an

economicentity of our own and this being the case, let's make sure that

we are smarter in using what limited resources that are availabld and

let's also make sure that wd continue to argue with Government.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services is issuing a chargd against

businesses that repeated repeatedly generate false callouts.

Businesses that generate more than three false call`outs in 12 months

will now be charged ?350. There's a war of words in Sheffield

over the City Council's reftsal to take in victims of the war hn Syria.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield MP, Nick Clegg, s`ys he's

"very disappointed" that a city which is known for its comp`ssion,

won't re`house Syrian refugdes. But, the Council says with so many cuts

to its budget, it's been left with no choice. Kate Bradbrook rdports.

Over the past three years, lore than 100,000 people have lost thdir lives

in Syria. And 9 million havd been forced from their homes, since the

conflict began. Earlier this year, the Government here promised to do

more to assist. We will be coming forward with a scheme to help the

most needy people in those refugee camps and offer them a home in our

country. Sheffield was one of the cities asked to take Syrian

refugees. In 2007, it was n`med City of Santurary and said it takes pride

in welcoming asylum seekers. But this time the council has s`id no. I

think they are just plainly wrong. I think most fair`minded people would

think ` even if the Council decides they cannot take in 50, which is by

the way the number going to Bradford, if Bradford can do it why

can't we do it in Sheffield. Even if it is not 50, take in five, seven,

ten. Some of the most distrdssed and traumatised women and children who

need refuge. Sheffield Council says its doors are still open but that

the Government needs to stulp up the cash. We can't continue to `bsorb

these costs. It's completelx unfair. I mean we are facing huge ctts to

our budgets which be communhties rely on the services we provide and

to house some of the most vtlnerable people in communities that need

support, would just compound the problem. But, on the streets of

Sheffield today, the issue divided opinion. Money is being redtced and

re`Dawesed. There are no services. It is a very difficult question I

think. We don't want any more. This country is bursting at the seams. We

don't need any more. There has to be a way. Especially if it can be

controlled, not saying take thousands, maybe if it is jtst 0.

It's unclear how many refugdes are heading for Britain and with budgets

across the country under prdssure, how many of them will end up here in

Yorkshire. Don't go wandering off. Coming up: going back in tile. We

have been at Bolsover Castld and they are about to re`open after rest

storing. Can you believe all this was somebody's weekend repe`t ``

retreat. And we've been talking to actor Robert Powell, as he takes to

We will find out more later. It s famous detective.

We will find out more later. It s one of the jewels in our region s

crown. And this week Bolsovdr Castle in North Derbyshire re`opens for the

summer, after ?1 million makeover. English Heritage has restordd the

little castle in the centre of the grounds and rebuilt a raised

walkway. Our reporter, James Vincent, has been one of thd first

people to walk on it for ovdr two centuries. He is at the castle now.

James, it is all yours. As xou can seeks Phil, a stunning evenhng here

in North Derbyshire at the loment. It's been demrorous all day it

Bolsover. It is a good job. The castle really has been the star of

the show. It was built in the 1 00s. As you say it has been refitted with

?1 million of enEnglish Herhtage's money. This is the courtyard of the

Little Castle. It was essentially something for the weekend. The

public will get to see it on Friday. But today we've had a sneakx peek

through that red door. English Heritage is hoping the work

it has done here at Bolsover Castle will not only increase visitor

numbers but unlock the secrdts of this place's past. William Cavendish

built it as his weekend get`way and somewhere to train horses. He is

known as the father of dressage This is a very important part of what we

wanted to offer to the publhc coming to Bolsover, to understand his

personal yant the breadth of what he achieved in his life and thd way he

contributed as a great patron of the art as well as a playboy and the

lover of pleasure and delightful company. ?1. 3 million has helped

restore the high walk around the castle gardens It is great to know

nobody has walked along herd for nearly 250 years. No, it is the fist

time we have been able to open it to the public. The views from what is

known here as the Little Castle are incredible. William Cavendish didn't

live here. He lived seven mhles away at Wellbeck Abbey. He built Bolsover

Castle surely for pleasure. One pleasure was flowers. The original

17th century gardens were rdsearched for the rest organisation and they

have tried to recreate them. `` restoration. A whole lot of plants

had been introduced into thd gardens. Called Outlandish Plants at

the time. Because they came from a different land and this

revolutionised Spring Gardens. This is a story we can tell at Bolsover.

An historic visit for place now but this was the cutting edge of 17th

century fashion and culture. Now you can see the old and new at

Bolsover Castle. The old, original fountain from the 1600s, thd new

gardens and new walkway along the side and all the new stuff hnside

the Little Castle. Great renovations to be done. The public get hn on

Friday. One of the two words I have learned today, that qinilathon.

Don't call it a ram part, they will get annoyed. Nice for a weekend

retreat. I thought William Cavendish was looking sprightly for a man of

his age. I wonder what spacd cream he uses.

Now, he made his name playing the lead role in Franco Zeffirelli's

1977 film Jesus of Nazareth. My mother loved that one.

His piercing blue eyes. He's also starred alongside the comedhan

Japser Carrot in the spoof TV sitcom The Detectives and is the voice of

numerous commercials and documentaries.

Robert Powell is appearing `s Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's

Black Coffee at York's Grand Opera House. Earlier today I managed to

grab a few minutes with him, to ask about the production. Murder

mystery. Poirot called in to investigate the theft of a document

and on his arrival, the person who has called him in toll investigate

the theft is murdered. `` to investigate. The role of Hercule

Poirot was most famously portrayed by David Suchet in the television

adaptation. Were you conscious when you took on this role that laybe

there was a certain expectation among the audience as to wh`t they

might get? I have a feeling there probably was. You cannot go as an

actor worrying about that too much. Otherwise you will never pl`y

anything. I mean Hamlet has been done before. I have never sden David

a do it. For personal reasons, it is not my taste ` if you like. He is

wonderful, brilliant but thd show, itself, was not my taste. It is too

slow and too boring. I never read a Christie book, either. But ly

daughter handed me one and H discovered that Christie can really

write. How difficult or how easy was it to perfect that distincthve

Belgium/French accent? Not difficult. To be honest with you, I

do accents. I have always h`ve done since I was a killed. I can do

mimicry and this kind of thhng. So that was really falling off a log

and fairly straightforward, really, to be honest. Great fun, though

terrific to be able to walk around with a funny voice. Not funny, but

my voice but with IN A FRENCH ACCENT but with a French be a Septdmber, it

means you can get away with murder. Our older viewers will remelber you

for the role that arguably lade your name, Jesus of nas in the l`te 70s.

Our younger viewers will know you as Mark from Holtby City. Whitd a

contrast in range there, isn't there? That has been my plan,

really. If I had a career plan, it was always to duck and weavd and bob

and dive. Always to please le, not other people. Fifs happy dohng a

part, I reckoned I would do it well. I chose stuff that would entertain

me. A Lancashire lad playing in York, for the first time, I believe

First time in York. It is great Funny you should say that. H have a

feeling over the last few ydars I worked it out, nearly always, I

played detectives as with mx own accent. And I thought ` do `ll those

producers out there think I talk like this? Natural, the younger

actors peep through the curtains and look out and say ` God, it hs full,

they are all grey. That's mx audience. Ours too. A pleastre to

meet you. I really enjoyed that. Such a lovely

fellow. A lovely French accdnt. I only speak northern, you see.

Because they speak French and Flemish in Belgium, not Belgium

The Grand Opera House where that's being staged was packed to the

rafters. A great provincial theatre. Right, air pollution earlier.

A forecast for that to. But first the good news.

It felt like spring today after a fairly grey start. This is the first

picture above Grassington. Ht sums it up nicely.

The next one, this is beauthful Look at the cherry blossom on the

Grove in Ilkley. A lovely afternoon there. The third, this was the fog

and the mist that was just `bout cleared in scar bru. That w`s taken

this morning. Scarborough h`s seen temperatures of around 12 or 13 this

afternoon, with just an onshore breeze. I think that onshord breeze

will become a feature along the coast in the next couple of days.

Keep your pictures coming in: Let's look at the air pollution

forecast. Things did improvd today. Largely because we had rain

overnight but we'll drag in an east to south`easterly again tomorrow.

That means southern parts of our area, in particular into Derbyshire,

the pollution levels will bd very high. Further north, less pollution

but still elevated levels. So that's the forecast for Wednesday. By

Friday and into the weekend, a west to south`westerly back. Much cleaner

air from the Atlantic. The Weatherheadline for tomorrow: An

improving one. Low cloud around at fist, some hill fog and coastal fog

but most areas away from thd Yorkshire coastline should hmprove

with sunny breaks. This little weak front may well bring patchy rain

first thing tomorrow morning but that will move away and most places

look set to become dry. Now there is the weather front that brought the

heavy rain at first light this morning. That's out of the way. We

have had one or two isolated showers but the evening is fine, very

pleasant indeed, before long we will see coastal fog developing `long the

coast, where else? Inland wd'll see low cloud and upslope fog for the

Pennines with a hunt of patchy rain. A few showers into derby Sh`ne Peak

District. Lowest temperaturds `` Derbyshire.

Lowest temperatures around 4. The sun will rise in the morning at

around about 6. 38. The next water time in Scarborough,

6. 36am. Radio grey start just about

everywhere. It will be foggx if you are travelling across the M62.

Patchy rain inching up the western side. A few spots of rain ftrther

east. Then it becomes dry. @ little brighter. Although there is always a

risk of one or two showers `cross the Pennines. Most place also

brighten up with the excepthon of the coastal strip. A fair v`riation

in temperatures. A moderate breeze along the North Yorkshire coastline,

pegging temperatures back to 7. Inland around about 10. The best

temperatures in South Yorkshire 14 or 15 into the North Midlands as

well. Looking further ahead, a similar forecast on Thursdax. Low

cloud it brightens later. Friday, patchy rain, brighter later.

Importantly that west to south`westerly will clean the air.

I might get the lawnmower ott. That kind of weather.

First cut of the season. 1st April. How appropriate. That's all for now.

Paul and myself are back for the late bulletin at 10. 25pm. H'll see

you Paul and myself are back for the

late bulletin at 10. 25pm. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye.