18/10/2016 North West Tonight

Good evening and welcome to North West Tonight

with Annabel Tiffin and Roger Johnson.

Part of the new roof at Manchester's Victoria Station

collapses after heavy rain, injuring two people.

The roof was only constructed last year as part of

Also tonight: New figures show a huge increase in the number

of patients kept waiting in ambulances before

The soundtrack of conflict - Vanessa Redgrave reads poems

of the Great War in a special musical commemoration tonight.

I feel so honoured to be asked to do this. So honoured.

And it is blooming marvellous here! Find out why in just a few moments.

Part of the new roof at Manchester's Victoria Station

New figures show the number of patients kept waiting

in an ambulance for more than an hour before being

admitted to Accident and Emergency Departments here has

But NHS England says it's doing its best to minimise delays.

Our chief reporter Peter Marshall is here to explain more.

It's supposed to take half an hour or less for patients to be

transferred from an ambulance into an Accident and

Two years ago, here in the North West, there were almost

18,000 incidents of patients waiting half an hour, or more,

By 2015-2016, that had gone up to over 39,000.

Two years ago, over 3,500 patients had to wait over an hour or more

By 2015-2016, that had more than quadrupled to over 15,000.

The figures were obtained under a freedom of information request

It has described the situation as shocking.

It is not acceptable that people should be waiting in an ambulance

for over an hour in order to get into an accident and emergency

department. I am deeply concerned for the safety of patients, and I

think viewers would not think that is a satisfactory way to proceed and

would expect the government to take action.

Well, the public service union Unison blames "the extreme lack

of funding across every part of the NHS".

It says some A departments are overwhelmed, cuts in social care

prevent patients being discharged, and that leads to back-ups.

NHS England says the figures reflect increasing demand for ambulance

services and that staff work hard to minimise delays.

The Department of Health says "hospital and ambulance trusts must

"work closely together to improve the situation."

And it says it has invested ?10 billion to improve NHS services.

Earlier, we spoke to Ged Blezard from the Ambulance Service,

and asked him why he thought the situation had got so critical.

There is increased demand on the NHS as a whole.

The ambulance service is getting an increasing amount of calls.

The NHS itself is increasingly in demand.

We are taking more patients to A than we have done before,

patients who are quite poorly and need to be

admitted into hospital, which is causing some of the problems.

That is a concern in itself, if patients who are very poorly

are having to wait more than an hour in the back of an ambulance,

Yes, but the patients are treated in clinical priority.

So the most poorly patients are taken to A

The ones who have got minor injuries or minor issues may

It is periods of high demand when this problem occurs.

The numbers, though, that we are talking about,

have gone up drastically, haven't they, and

almost fourfold - it is unacceptable, isn't it?

The figures are not what we would like them to be,

and it is an example of the whole pressure that the NHS is under.

This increasing demand, and limited resources

We accept that patients are being delayed and we want to do

everything we can in our power to make that delay

of view, we are recruiting more paramedics and vehicles

than we have ever done before to meet this demand.

I'm sure you don't want to see this happening any more than anyone else,

so what would you like to see done now to try and improve

Well, some of the things we are doing is making sure

there are more ambulance resources available for patients.

But more importantly, we are looking at more new models of care.

It is not just about people ringing 999 and expecting

It's looking at when people ring 999 giving people advice over the phone,

but if we do have to attend to see patients,

we are looking at ways of treating them on the scene,

We are developing ways we can minimise the impact on patients

who do go to A departments there is no queue.

A Detective Inspector in Cumbria has been demoted

following investigations into the death of 13-month-old

Poppi died in 2012, after being found at her home

Cumbria Police was criticised for its investigation into her death

and the matter was referred to Independent Police

The inspector has now admitted gross incompetence and been

The pop star Olly Murs pulled out of yesterday's Rio Parade

in Manchester after being told to completely change his performance

He'd earlier been criticised by the Manchester Councillor Pat

Karney saying he wasn't impressed that the singer later attended

the Liverpool-Manchester United game at Anfield.

Meanwhile, two imposters dressed in Team GB tracksuits and with fake

medals managed to defy security at the Manchester Heroes' Parade,

and gain access to a float full of Olympic champions.

The British Olympic Association said it was disappointed that anyone

would want to detract from the athletes' celebration.

The pair admitted to being a couple of blaggers. We got the medal and

thought we would give it a go. We got ushered on. You are a couple of

blaggers, aren't you? Yes, we will get off at the next stop.

Part of the new roof at Manchester's Victoria Station

collapsed this afternoon, just as the rush hour was starting.

Two people were injured as glass panels crashed onto a train,

showering commuters with debris and water.

The station only re-opened last year, with much fanfare,

Let's get the latest from our reporter Peter Marshall,

A good deal of confusion and some consternation. What exactly

happened? Emergency services were called to the station at ten past

4pm after reports of a partial roof collapse. What appears to happen

between macro have happened is that a panel in the new roof has given

weight due to the weight of rain on it. That has come through and sent

gallons of water down onto the platform below, platform one and

platform two. Amulets cruise treated to people for head injuries, which

are thought to be minor. When we first arrived in the light, you

could see that some of the panels in this new roof appear to be bowing

under the weight of water gathered on them. Now, you can see the

station is operating normally. We spoke to an eyewitness earlier, he

told us what she saw. I was at the ticket gate and then I heard a Big

Bang and lots of water came down onto the train. People fell down,

and from what I saw, I was in a rush to get my train, there was a lady on

the floor who had been hit by either the water at force, or the roof. It

is interesting you mentioned the water. I saw some pictures on social

media of puddles of water on the floor. That was that Victoria

Station yesterday. The new roof was only completed last year as part of

that 40 formerly pounds upgrade to the facilities, so this is

concerning. Absolutely, the station only reopened last October, and a

key part of that reconstruction was this futuristic double roof. It is

made of 400 panels, it is the same material used at the Eden Project in

Cornwall. They have had in spectres looking at the roof to see if there

are any more issues, but there will be concerned that the roof appears

to have an issue so soon after it has been put up. A statement has

been issued, saying how long column a panel has come away and it goes on

to say that the emergency services have attended and treated to

customers with minor injuries. It says contractors are now attempting

to repair and secure the roof. It says the station remains open, as do

all platforms, with no disruption to services. Some of the station

platform does appear to be cordoned off, but apart from that, it is

business as usual. Luckily no one seriously injured.

Thank you very much indeed. Controversial plans to scrap free

school buses for pupils across east Over 100 pupils turned out

to Cheshire East Council's cabinet meeting today to protest

against the changes, which their schools claim will mean

children using dangerous Officials insist parents

are responsible for Councils in the North West fined

parents ?1.3 million for children Figures from law firm Simpson Millar

show over 22,500 ?60 fines Blackburn town centre

is in the running to be named It's reached the final three

in the annual Great British The winner will be chosen

by an online vote. Britain's skills shortage is so bad

that a government report this week warns that it could cause

irretrievable damage to our economy. But an event that ends

in Manchester tomorrow might just 15,000 schoolchildren,

their teachers and parents are expected at the National

Apprenticeship Show. And it seems workplace training

is becoming increasingly attractive, Daniel and Michael are learning how

to service and repair equipment at a tool and plant hire

company in Warrington. In the time I have worked here,

I have learned a lot about what to do with the machinery

that we work on, hydraulic systems,

pneumatic systems. You get your foot into the door

of a company where you have got opportunities to learn

the trade beforehand. These two are in the third year

of their schemes, but 3000 employees nationwide,

and today, the company was out Tony Walton is on the lookout

for new recruits for the company at Manchester's National

Apprenticeship Show. If they get a lifting qualification,

they can go and work on the rigs, on the oil fields, they can

go wherever they want. We would rather they stayed with us,

but that's what they need to do. We will put them through all

the qualifications. There's a broad range

of schemes on offer. The government have a huge drive

to make sure three million new apprentices start in this

term of office. There is a huge investment

from employers going into employing apprentices and increasing the size

of their schemes. The government recently introduced

an apprenticeship levy for larger employers

so it is in their financial interests

to employee apprentices. There are as many girls as boys

taking up apprenticeships, and some evidence that the cost

of a degree is making this an increasingly attractive

alternative to university. I think apprenticeships

have more benefit. You think of the cost of university,

but if you do an apprenticeship Do you think people are being driven

to apprenticeships because of the cost

of going to university? I was looking to go to uni

but I'm more interested These young people could

be the answer to our They're being encouraged

to aim high. Stewart Flinders, BBC

North Tonight, Manchester. Still to come on North West Tonight:

Breaking down barriers in the beautiful game -

the new book about Britain's first The soundtrack of war -

Vanessa Redgrave reads poems of the Great War in a special

musical commemoration tonight. I feel so honoured to be asked to do

this. So honoured. The charity, The Woodland Trust,

says more and more people are doing Dumping garden waste in forests and

it can have a devastating effect on local wildlife.

New figures from the Trust show fly-tipping in forests has grown

by almost a quarter in two years, and garden waste dumping

This is near Accrington, an ancient woodland,

dominated by ash, sycamore and oak trees.

Soil, lawn clippings, even an old Christmas tree,

and here, someone has clearly been gardening, but this isn't

It smothers out the wild flowers, and the other problem is it can

introduce non-native species, so garden escapees are introduced

into the woods from peoples' gardens, and again

they can take over and dominate to the detriment

The trust says it is a growing problem.

So far this year, it has spent ?28,000 clearing fly-tipped waste.

Here, someone has tipped tonnes of soil over a fence.

There are lots of interesting flowers in here, things

Obviously, once tonnes and tonnes of topsoil gets tipped onto those

flowers it smothers and kills them off for ever, basically.

The woods behind drop down to the linear walkway where people

This is Worsley Woods in Salford, and some residents have been tipping

Lars isn't one of them, but admits he didn't think it

I just thought it would rot and just go back into the earth.

It is a busy time of year for gardeners, and green waste bins

But why do some people dump the waste?

I think it's a shame because it is lovely down here.

I walk here every day and I do think it's affected a lot.

The Woodland Trust says it is essential people dispose

of waste responsibly or we could lose some of our most

Judy Hobson, BBC Northwest Tonight, Accrington.

We have got some football news for you and we will show you the

goals... There weren't any! A much anticipated game. Never mind. Jose

Mourinho has been contacted by the football Association for his comment

about referee Anthony Taylor. There were a few chances. The draw leaves

Liverpool fourth in the table and United are seven.

Meanwhile, Manchester City's club owners say it is in a critical new

phase. The revenue for the club was really ?400 million and they made a

?20 million profit. The team plays Barcelona tomorrow evening.

Mind-boggling numbers! Next, the remarkable footballing

story of a player, manager and scout Tony Collins is now 90 years

old and lives near Oldham. In the 1960s he became the first

black manager in English football Tony's daughter has now written

a new book with her Second World War soldier, star

winger for a series of clubs chief scout for Manchester United. Tony

Collins has had a remarkable life, but his place in history is thanks

to a decision made in Rochdale in 1960. Tony Collins was made boss,

becoming Britain's first black manager. I was there about half an

hour and they offered me the job. When he was appointed manager of the

chairman said this, we are aware that a few eyebrows might be raised

because of his colour, but that makes no difference. But did it make

a difference to Tony Collins's chances of managing other clubs? In

my opinion, not dad's opinion, he doesn't feel that at all. It is me

as his daughter, someone of this age, who to look back and think that

he had had more opportunities? He had applied for about 13 other jobs,

but he didn't get anywhere with applications. Do you feel it held

you back at all and stop to getting opportunities? No, I don't think so.

They picked me from what they knew about me. Tony's knowledge took what

shell to a final the club in 1962. The whole town was buzzing. Wherever

you want, people knew. He briefly managed Bristol city, but most of

his later years were spent as a Scout for Leeds and Manchester

United. He discovered Paul McGrath and Lee Sharpe. When they signed Lee

Sharpe. Elton John even kicked off Tony's testimonial game, and his

achievement is extraordinaire when you think today, 55 years after he

was appointed at Rochdale, there are still only a handful of black

managers. What a great story. We have been

hearing about Tony said, being involved in World War II,.

A special concert takes place tonight in Manchester,

It's called Voices of Remembrance and will see acclaimed actress,

Vanessa Redgrave read a selection of famous war poems.

She'll be accompanied by around 60 pupils from the prestigious

Chetham's School of Music, some as young as nine, who will perform

Katie Walderman went to see their final dress rehearsal

at Manchester Cathedral ahead of this evening's performance.

It was catastrophic, that war. Never have so many people being killed for

so little purpose. 100 years on, Vanessa Redgrave joins pupils from

this school of music to commemorate the First World War.

I feel so honoured to be asked to do this. So honoured. Particularly in

here with the blaggers -- ten to macro symphony. It is exciting

having her reading poetry. This is the final rehearsal ahead of

tonight's performance here at Manchester Cathedral, where it is

expected to be packed to capacity. For the pupils it is bringing

history to life. It is fascinating to think, you know, at that time

people my age were fighting. I think it is important that we reinforce

what a terrible tragedy it was, and how important it is and how it

formed us as a nation as well. It brings the subject matter towards

them, whether they understand it immediately, or absorb it through

the rehearsals. They start to think of the words, I explain to them why

the music should sound a certain way because of the emotion that is being

expressed through the poetry. Ensuring the fallen another

forgotten. Dash-macro are never forgotten.

What a lovely event. Let's brighten ourselves up with a

bit of summer. Is that your garden?

We should be so lucky! Lovely pictures.

The North West's horticultural heritage has blossomed at this

Our villages, towns and cities have scooped seven golds

in the competition cultivated by the Royal Horticultural Society.

And they're particularly proud in the Lancashire town of Lytham.

It's scooped the Champion of Champions award, its fifth

And its biggest park has been honoured too.

Summer was a riot of colour in these parts, largely

Britain in Bloom's "Champion of Champions", Lytham's fifth

As autumn wraps us in its golden gown, only the floral

recreation of Lytham's famous windmill survives.

We have flowerbeds, we replant trees, we have we work

-- shrubs - we work in the local parks.

Lytham's Park View Playing Fields was also recognised

We didn't actually know we had been nominated for it.

Its dozens of volunteers blooming with pride for their "best

We were highly commended for our eco-pod classroom

and rainwater harvesting, but also we have bee hives,

They tease me for being a perfectionist, but I am quite

happy to get a good result and I think they are really as well.

I think it is very uplifting, it makes you feel good,

it makes you feel like you contribute.

It is our town, we want it to be better.

We must be a green-fingered lot to cultivate this gold rush.

Southport won the Large Coastal Resort category.

Freckleton won gold for Best Small Town.

The large metro borough gold went to Wigan, and the city

We have a tremendous amount of community effort

because of the local authority cutbacks.

It is impossible for the local authorities to send ten men out

But the community is coming on board and doing the job for them.

It is fair to say that the north-west has flourished

at this year's Britain in Bloom, but who will be our entries

We will find out at the end of next week.

How exciting. We moan about the rain, but we wouldn't have all those

lovely prizes without lots of rain here in the North West.

I like eight only roundabout. It really cheers you up, doesn't it?

Good evening. Weather-wise it has not been good at all. It was always

forecast to be a very showery day. Plenty of showers first thing in the

morning, then the sun came out, but then this weather fronts marched its

way across the north-west of England through the afternoon. The afraid we

are still feeding in showers. Over the next couple of hours will see

some more. That is the tail end of the weather front tomorrow morning,

but after that, high pressure starts to push its way in and things will

settle down over the next couple of days as we head towards the weekend.

At the moment the weekend looks fine, but an easterly airflow, so it

will be cold. It did not feel too good today. With these showers

continuing through the night, we will see a damp spell up until about

midnight in some places. Cumbria doesn't see many, nor does

Lancashire, it is the more southern parts of the region. But they should

largely die away as the night goes on. Lots of clear whether around,

said temperatures will drop away. Tomorrow, the tail end of that

weather front brings some showers and they look a bit lively. But

there won't be too many, and when the sun comes up it will look good

and bright all the way through. Good, long spells of sunshine. A bit

of patchy cloud now and then, but the picture for most of us should be

good. One or two showers, but for the most part it will be dry.

Feeling cool with a top temperature of 12 or 13 degrees.

We have been taken to task after being mentioned that Blackburn has

been nominated. He says Kirkby has also been nominated. Good night.