05/01/2017 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Annabel Tiffin and Roger Johnson.

A milestone moment as construction work starts at a shale gas

It is a significant day but obviously it's a sad day for us

because it means they have started work, which is something we did not

Protesters say they're angry, as the legal battle

Why the North West has more paramedic posts to fill

Thanks for saving Shaun's life - his wife shows her gratitude

And find out why this daredevil action is actually the safe thing

Today marked an important milestone for Lancashire,

The first day of work at a site which has been fiercely

The field in Little Plumpton, near Blackpool, is where permission

has been granted for fracking - a method of extracting shale gas.

All along, there've been furious protests from opponents,

who insist fracking shouldn't be allowed.

And today, some of those protesters were back,

as the process of preparing the site began.

Our social affairs correspondent Clare Fallon was there.

They call this "an important milestone" -

the company with permission to frack at this site

moving in and starting work, under the watchful eye of

those who have fought this all along.

Despite the protests, by the end of the year,

the energy firm Cuadrilla hopes to be pumping up a shale gas

For now, though, its first things first -

chainsaws and portaloos for the workers.

The first job is to construct the site.

That will take several months, about three months to complete,

and after that we will start drilling the Wells.

Clearly there are people who are still against this,

and we understand that, and equally we understand they have

At every step on a very long journey to this point,

those opposed to fracking have made their feelings clear.

Two and a half years ago, this field became the so-called

"Nana Camp" as protesters made it home.

But after much legal toing and froing, in October

the Government said yes to fracking here, overruling

Cuadrilla, the company with permission to frack here,

say this is a significant day for them.

It is a significant day, but obviously it's a sad day for us,

because it means they have started work, which is something we didn't

Because this is the end of the battle for you, isn't it?

No, I think actually it's just the start of a new phase.

It's the start of a new phase in the battle.

This is just the start and this whole area will be completely

Now the beautiful Fylde as we know it, birds and animals

and trees and fields, that will be a thing of the past.

With a timetable for drilling by spring and fracking by autumn,

Cuadrilla promises what happens here will be safe,

heavily monitored, and will mean jobs.

But even now, with work under way, those fighting fracking say

they have not given up and are still looking

Clare Fallon, BBC North West Tonight, Little Plumpton.

The North West Ambulance Service has a greater shortage

of paramedics than anywhere else, according to figures obtained under

There are more than 200 unfilled posts in the region.

Unions claim that's putting even more strain on staff

and that the service is now reaching crisis levels, but the trust says

it's actually created extra jobs and is recruiting from abroad.

It's a difficult job with long hours and often volatile situations,

and in the North West there aren't enough paramedics doing it.

Unions say that's putting a huge strain on staff and the service.

These stresses and the pressures of the job have been increasing but he

has not increased with it, so many paramedics have been leaving the

service. At the same time, because it is a less appealing service to

work for now, the number of applicant is decreasing, so it has

reached crisis level. Under figures obtained

by the Labour Party, there's a shortage of 204 paramedics

in the North West, The Ambulance Service says

the number of vacancies should It says it's used Government money

to create extra posts which it's had to fill,

and that new rules that paramedics must have higher levels of training

have made it harder to recruit. But it's adamant it's

tackling the shortfall. News of paramedic shortages come

on top of recent figures from NHS England showing ambulances

in the North West aren't responding to some of

the most critical patients But the Ambulance Service is deeply

reliant on what the rest Ambulances have waited up to ten

hours to hand patients over in Southport because the hospital

was full, tying up the fewer Unison members report to us all of

the time that there has been increasingly spending hours on

occasions in A on ambulance stretchers waiting to be triage into

the services. This goes all the way back to Ambulance Services, where a

vehicles are on the road because there are more and more time being

spent in A being spent on patients.

The Department of Health says it's recruited over 2,000 more paramedics

nationally and announced a new pay deal to reduce pressure on services.

But unions say mounting strain on a cash-strapped NHS can only mean

more pressure for those on the front line.

Earlier I spoke to Ged Blezard, the Director of Operations

at the North West Ambulance Service, and asked him why it

seems there are so many vacancies in the service.

The main reason for us having a large vacancy gap is because of

We have actually had some investment, so we have put that

They are not vacancies but actually new posts that have been created

It is much higher than everywhere else, though, and are you the only

region to have got this extra money for extra staff?

I think we have got a more significant increase

in staffing than other areas, yes, so that is why we are probably

However, we have done a lot of work to reduce this vacancy gap in terms

of recruiting from overseas, and we have recruited 50 paramedics

from international countries such as Poland and Finland.

We are also looking at over recruiting our EMT1 staff,

which is the emergency medical technicians, to compensate

So, we are actually 1% off fully staffed.

Why do you need to recruit from abroad?

Can you not get enough paramedics from within the country?

There is a national shortage of paramedics within the UK,

and there has recently been a change in how paramedics are trained

and a lot of investment in upskilling them.

It now takes two years at university to become a paramedic,

and that lengthens the time it takes to recruit to posts.

So we know that, looking overseas, the Polish and Finnish paramedics

have a similar qualification two ours, and it is easier

at the moment to recruit from there, because we can recruit them

But the long-term plan is that we will recruit

We have just got to catch up with the two-year gap that it

I suppose the problem is that you are saying you have got this

extra funding for new staff, but that is not going to show

for another two years, so in the meantime what effect

is that going to have on the service the public get

The actual vacancy gap is only 1% of staff now,

so that is only about 70 staff that were vacant, and we are

By the end of this financial year, which is in the end of March,

So actually the vacancy gap is minimal, it is just

that the staff grading is not correct, and there are less

than they should be, but we are actually recruiting

and recruiting very hard to try to bridge that gap.

Thorn Cross Open Prison in Warrington has been praised

for providing inmates with good training and education,

and helping them resettle back into communities.

A report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons says staff should be

congratulated for making the jail safe, and keeping the number

Everton Football Club says plans to build a new stadium -

most likely at Bramley Moore Dock - could be confirmed in

Liverpool's Mayor Joe Anderson says the council is helping

with the plans and ?20 million has been allocated for a new road and

A transgender woman from Merseyside, being held at a male prison,

Jenny Swift from Seaforth in Sefton was on remand at Doncaster Prison

She was found unresponsive in her cell on December the 30th

An independent investigation will be carried out by the Prisons

Supermarket chain Lidl is creating 500 jobs at a major

The company says millions of pounds will be invested into the site,

A planning application will be submitted later this year.

New plans are being considered to allow television cameras to film

inside the Isle of Man's Tynwald Parliament.

A group of politicians recommends the rules

A decision will be made later this month.

The Lake District is famous for its wonderful views,

but many of them could be ruined forever, according to some of those

Tomorrow is the final day of consultation on plans to build

a line of pylons the size of Nelson's Column on the edge

Campaigners want the power cables hidden underground.

The National Grid says any changes would make our

You don't get better days than this in the Lake District,

but this view out to Duddon Estuary here could be about to change.

The National Grid wants to build a line of pylons here,

These are some of the people trying to stop it.

Annette Carmichael joined friends and neighbours

in Broughton-in-Furness this morning to protest at the plans.

She runs a small B with a view of the estuary.

We are going to have pylons at least twice the height,

with really thick cables, cutting across the view.

Do you think that would put people off visiting the area?

I have been speaking to guests of my own who have come from the UK,

from Europe and further afield, like the States and Australia,

and they are absolutely horrified by the idea of this sort of thing

The pylons will carry electricity from a new nuclear power

The National Grid has already made concessions,

but a 14 and a half mile stretch along the coast is to be buried

And there is to be a 13 mile tunnel under Morecambe Bay,

But that doesn't go far enough for the organisation dedicated

So, you are going to have two very large pylons sat

But is here and Broughton is going to see these pylons.

You are Friends Of The Lake District and as you have shown me on the map,

this route actually goes outside the national Park, doesn't it?

The route is outside the Lake District National Park

but in places it is six metres outside the National Park.

So it is visible and will affect the views.

The consultation period for these plans ends tomorrow

and there is little sign of the National Grid

They say, to make these plans more environmentally friendly would be

This project isn't paid for by the National Grid,

it is paid for by all of us through our electricity bills,

so we have got to strike a balance between protecting those

environments and keeping energy bills affordable

If the plans are approved by the Government, work

Stuart Flinders, BBC North West tonight, Cumbria.

Glorious views today. It would be great to walk in the Lake District

today. Flying high with a head for heights,

but what links these motorbikers with some of Britain's

biggest entertainers? This person took this up because

motocross was too dangerous. And how life up North has influenced

the nation's fashion and culture. When Shaun O'Brien was diagnosed

with cancer he needed all the help he could get,

and he got that from the NHS His wife Cat was grateful,

and it got her thinking about how She could have held a coffee

morning, or raised money running a marathon, but went a bit further

than that, and next month she's giving one of her kidneys

to a complete stranger. Thank you for coming in. Cat, the

question to start with, why not a marathon? Why donate a kidney?

It was a story on the radio that made me realise that you could do

it. I did not realise you could donate via altruism, Anderson as I

heard the story, even if he had not had the cancer it would have been

something I wanted to do. -- as soon as I heard this. It will help

someone live free from machines. And it was down to the BBC. This has all

come about from the Jeremy Vine show.

You heard something Jeremy Vine said?

It was a lady. The story resonated with you?

She had done the same thing and it was hearing her speak about how

rewarded she felt from doing it and the story of how it all went about.

He was in the car and said, I can do that.

A lot of us would hear a story like that on the radio as we often do and

it brings a tear to your eye and you move on and carry on with your life

and never followed through on those kind thoughts. What does this say to

you, Shaun about your wife? I probably just rolled my eyes and

it was, OK, if that is what you want to do. That is what she is like.

What an amazing thing to do. Some people are not so nice about

it, but a lot of people are nice. I am not doing it so that people think

I'm nice. It is a case of, I can help someone and I am physically

able to help someone, and after tests discovered I am physically

able, so I will do. Are some people being critical? Why

would they be critical? They seem to think that maybe I want

some sort of thing out of it or to make money out of it, whereas there

is no money to be made. There is no monetary value.

You are not allowed to do that. Maybe media attention, for example.

I only spoke to the local paper and it snowballed since yesterday from

the local paper. The whole point of speaking to the paper was because if

I had not heard that Lady's story on BBC radio, I would not have known

you could do this. I did not know you could donate to a stranger.

You hope somebody else might see this?

They might but the nation is not for everybody. People can sign the

register. Shaun, this is also a thank you

really because of the treatment you have received, because you underwent

treatment for cancer. How are you now?

I am fine. I have felt fine for the past six months at least, 12 months.

You had cancer in a consul? My right tonsil, which spread. It

was on my neck, which is when you told me to go to my GP. -- it was

cancer of the tonsil. Straight to the hospital.

And then they get all of the tests that they do. They said they had

found some cancer cells. It was from me seeing a GP to me having a

surgery was about three months. What I was going to say was I had

first-hand experience with the NHS with a family member over the past

month, and it was fantastic. On this programme we hold people to account

and criticise, but you have had fantastic care through three

different hospitals? Yes. Manchester Royal and two

others, all fantastic. And my local GP.

You are now putting your trust in the doctors to do a procedure on you

and hopefully so someone... Yes, it is major surgery, but I

trust them completely with that. If you have any questions, there is

always an actual team that works with people, so if you have

questions you can ask the team if you're concerned. That team is there

for you if you are concerned. If you're worrying...

Unique recovery time, obviously. You have a physical job, and you? What

do you do? I drive wagons, skip wagons for a

local waste management company. And they have been great about it?

They have. How much recovery time do you have

to have? The surgeon says I will be able to

fend for myself after a few weeks. It can take up to three months

before you are fully recovered after two weeks I will be able to make my

own cups of tea. He will not have to look after me any more.

Maybe tonight. It is your ninth wedding anniversary today?

It is. What a way to celebrate.

We have a lovely picture, look at this. Beautiful. We wish you every

success with the surgery. Thank you for coming in.

People do not have to do live donation but if people want to

register on organ donation we have the website coming up any a moment

so people can register for that as well. It is a great thing you're

doing and thank you for coming in and telling us.

Thank you. A change of tack now.

Motocross rider Nez Parker was one of the best in Britain

at his favourite sport - until he was forced to give it up.

Nez from Leyland needed to do something less likely to hurt him.

Motocross was what Nez Parker did best, but injuries took their toll.

On this knee I have had six operations and ACR

The Leyland rider was forced to retire aged just 25.

With his dream job over, Nez realised he had to do something

safer, something less likely to break his bones...

This is freestyle motocross, Nez's new career.

Here, riders perform tricks and stunts for points instead

Most people would think it bizarre that you chose

Well, it is really dangerous and if you crash it's going to hurt,

but it's up to me and it is no one else who is going to

When you watch the racing on Saturday night, you will realise

There are very few professional level motocross riders who end up

So he is very unique and Nez has become a freestyler in no time

at all, so I think he has left quite a few people scratching their heads

Nez is practising at the Manchester Arena

where the Arenacross National Tour starts at the weekend.

There are plenty of family watching but his mum will be

She did at the whole time I did motocross,

She would stand looking the opposite way as I was coming past.

But my brother does MMA, he is a cage fighter as well,

so that is not very good for her nerves, either, is it?

So it seems that in the Parker family at least, Nez

Stuart Pollitt, North West Tonight, Manchester.

No fear of danger in that family. If you are interested...

And the Arenacross Tour comes to the Manchester Arena

A bit of football news. Pep Guardiola this afternoon clarified

his, that city are ten years behind neighbours Manchester United, he

said that in an interview with NBC the American broadcaster, about the

visit to West Ham. Pep Guardiola said he was talking about title

winning history and not the level of the current teams.

The titles, in 20 years about Manchester United beating... Nothing

that last three or four years, because in the last five years,

Manchester city have achieved more target of getting better. I never

said this club is below the other one right now, no.

Not having a happy time with the media, Pep.

has always influenced culture and fashion.

Now the Open Eye photography gallery in Liverpool is marking its 40th

anniversary with a special exhibition celebrating the north's

impact on what we wear and what we think.

Our Merseyside Reporter, Andy Gill, has been for a preview

The photographer Glen Luchford shot the Stone Roses

Morrissey is another north-west artist featured at

A parka featuring New Order album covers - one was recently

auctioned for ?15,000 - is another example of how the north

I think there has been quite a big thing about how important northern

You know, so we can trace it way back to, sort of, the industrial

revolution, major cities and how they grew.

But then how the knowledge and wealth and experiences

But the gallery's 40th anniversary show isn't just about music -

as these photos from Skelmersdale in the 1980s show,

it's also about the northern life and the region's

MUSIC: How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths

We've always worked with both local and national and international

talent, but interestingly a lot of the artists that we worked with,

particularly in the 1970s and 80s, have become the international

talent, and we are working with a huge pool of northern talents

now that I'm sure will become the international

The main part of this show are the images,

the videos, the stills, the clothes themselves,

all of which tell you the story of the influence of the North.

But there is also a section where you can sit and listen

to the influences and memories of major fashion designers who grew

So what is it about the north that fascinates the fashionistas?

The North is a bit like Rio or Paris, so if you have never been,

you can have an idea about what it is like.

You know, the smell, the architecture,

And yeah, there is an element to it that I think people

do find quite exotic, and I think that is

Open Eye started in a former pub in 1977.

It's now at Mann Island near the Pier Head.

The 40th anniversary show opens tomorrow.

Andy Gill, BBC North West Tonight, Liverpool.

We were saying earlier, when did it become the 1980s and 1970s was the

olden days? That makes me feel old.

What a great day today, a lovely winter day.

Very, very cold, but one or two people like producer Helen have not

listened to me. She forgot to take an extra layer, a fleece this

morning, because it was that cold. How cool what it? This photograph

captures it beautifully. This was the Leeds Liverpool canal this

morning, frozen over. The good news is that tomorrow things are

completely different. Much more mild tomorrow, but always a lot of rain.

Here comes the rain tomorrow. High pressure above as for the weekend.

It is not going to stay settled but it is going to say much milder

because of the cloud cover over the weekend. For this evening, at the

moment, still a bit chilly with frost out there. That will change as

you can see, this band of cloud is pushing in from across the Irish

Sea. It will bring spots of rain by Dawn and also the wind is picking up

and temperatures, look at them. So much better than last night.

Although I still think we may see subzero temperatures in one or two

spots. Tomorrow morning is a different picture with starting off

cloudy with rain pushing in and persistent on and off through the

morning into the afternoon. The wind picks up as well through the

afternoon. Maybe not a lot in the way of sunshine tomorrow, but look

at the temperatures tomorrow - perhaps double-figure temperatures

across the Isle of Man. Elsewhere seven or eight Celsius but with

plenty of rain. Tomorrow night is going to be so much milder than last

night. Look at the temperatures, five or six or seven Celsius

overnight tomorrow. Again very cloudy with spots of rain and

possibly some fog patches forming for tomorrow night. We head into the

weekend and high pressure is in charge of your weather. This is

Saturday. It is going to be quite cloudy, maybe with some like an

drizzly rain, temperatures around eight or nine Celsius, and we are

going to continue with the good-looking temperatures into

Sunday. Monday has double-figure averages maybe with a chance of

rain. It does not know what to do.

It is up and down, like a yo-yo. It was called today.

Called this morning but lovely with beautiful blue skies, so I do not

mind. It felt cold. I don't like the rain but not

everyone thinks the same. Have a lovely evening.