Latest news with #ErnestGibson
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Campaigners fear South Shields lamps 'will destroy night sky'
Installing street lighting along a stretch of road popular for viewing the Northern Lights would "destroy the night sky", campaigners have Tyneside Council approved plans on Thursday to place lamp-posts along the coast road in South Shields, in order to improve safety along what is a National Cycle Network Dave Dixon said he was "embarrassed and ashamed" by the decision, adding the council had ignored the concerns of residents living near the Leas Nature Gibson, lead councillor for neighbourhoods and climate change, said the decision "balances the need for public safety with our responsibility to protect the natural environment". The approved plans would see 10m-high (32.8ft) lamp-posts installed on the west side of the road, with "dark-sky compliant lanterns to minimise visual and ecological impact", the local authority lighting would be dimmed during the evening to reduce energy use and light previously told the BBC the lights would damage wildlife and cause light pollution. Mr Gibson said the route was a "vital link for cyclists and pedestrians", adding the "improved lighting will make it safer and more accessible".The decision was informed by a Road Safety Audit which identified clear risks in the absence of street lighting, the council authority said lighting impact, ecological and habit regulation assessments were all undertaken to address concerns raised by residents. Campaigners strongly disputed that and said the council had ignored their Porter, campaigner, told BBC Look North: "We are really angry that the council has paid lip service to listening to us but they haven't actually done anything about it. "They are going to put lights up that will fuel light pollution all over the Leas and harm the wildlife and they say it is on road safety grounds but there aren't any serious accidents here, the traffic is relatively slow at 30mph."The decision has hit residents that live along the road particularly Driver, campaigner, said: "The feedback I am getting is unbelievable, absolute devastation. "The houses are going to all be lit up, the council think they had a battle on for the last year, trust me this is only the start of the next campaign, we will take it as far as we can." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
South Shields: Lamp-posts approved for coast road near The Leas
The installation of street lighting along a stretch of road which has become popular for viewing the Northern Lights has been Wednesday, South Tyneside Council has approved the establishment of lamp-posts along the coast road in South Shields, in order to improve safety along what is a National Cycle Network and those living near the Leas nature reserve previously told the BBC the lights would damage wildlife and cause light councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said the decision "balances the need for public safety with our responsibility to protect the natural environment". The scheme will see 10-metre (32.8ft) lamp-posts installed on the west side of the road, with "dark-sky compliant lanterns to minimise visual and ecological impact", the local authority lighting will be dimmed during the evening to reduce energy use and light spill. Gibson said the route is a "vital link for cyclists and pedestrians", adding the "improved lighting will make it safer and more accessible".The decision was informed by a Road Safety Audit which identified clear risks in the absence of street lighting, the council authority said lighting impact assessments, ecological assessments, and habit regulation assessments, were all undertaken to address concerns raised by residents. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Complex' sinkhole repairs continue months on
A section of a street which was damaged when a sinkhole appeared remains cordoned off nearly four months later amid "complex" repairs. Part of Broughton Road in South Shields collapsed in late January, damaging several vehicles and leaving residents shocked. Councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for neighbourhoods and climate change at South Tyneside Council, said repair work was "very complex" and required "full and thorough" analysis of underground conditions. He added the local authority was committed to reopening the road as soon as possible, although no dates have been confirmed yet. "Contractors and machinery remain on site at this time," Gibson said. The sinkhole was noticed at about 05:30 GMT on 27 January when car alarms in the affected street went off. No-one was reported to be injured. South Tyneside Council leader, Labour's Tracey Dixon, previously said she had "no idea" what caused the road to collapse. Gibson thanked residents for their patience and understanding as the council continued work towards a permanent repair. "Restoring the road and footpath involves deep excavations and assessments, before rebuilding the layers and backfilling the hole," he added. "It is being planned and designed to take into account workers' safety, the structural integrity of surrounding buildings and foundations and the impact on the underground sewer and utilities." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Cars swallowed by sinkhole leaves street shocked South Tyneside Council
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
'Complex' South Shields sinkhole repairs continue
A section of a street which was damaged when a sinkhole appeared remains cordoned off nearly four months later amid "complex" of Broughton Road in South Shields collapsed in late January, damaging several vehicles and leaving residents shocked. Councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for neighbourhoods and climate change at South Tyneside Council, said repair work was "very complex" and required "full and thorough" analysis of underground added the local authority was committed to reopening the road as soon as possible, although no dates have been confirmed yet. "Contractors and machinery remain on site at this time," Gibson sinkhole was noticed at about 05:30 GMT on 27 January when car alarms in the affected street went off. No-one was reported to be Tyneside Council leader, Labour's Tracey Dixon, previously said she had "no idea" what caused the road to thanked residents for their patience and understanding as the council continued work towards a permanent repair."Restoring the road and footpath involves deep excavations and assessments, before rebuilding the layers and backfilling the hole," he added."It is being planned and designed to take into account workers' safety, the structural integrity of surrounding buildings and foundations and the impact on the underground sewer and utilities." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
