This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page © Northumberland County Council WATCH: Linzi Smith explains why she was banned from Newcastle United games when airing her views on trans ideology residents now feel 'forgotten' - and could spark a political shockwave as a result Residents in the seaside town of Blyth have warned a £90million investment into their home is being squandered as their high street "wastes away" Locals in the coastal Northumberland town had been handed an eight-figure funding drive by the former Conservative Government some years ago they now feel "forgotten" - and could spark a political shockwave as a result The construction of a new cinema complex in Blyth as part of a "Culture Hub" has become a lightning rod for criticism with many questioning the priorities behind the town's regeneration efforts but it's mismanaged," one resident told The Sun The controversial Culture Hub project includes three cinema screens and an events space for cultural activities Locals in the coastal Northumberland town had been handed an eight-figure funding drive some years ago "They're building a cinema in the centre There used to be four cinemas in Blyth and they all closed," said another local Not three cinema screens," they added The project comes after the town's Keel Row Shopping Centre was demolished last year The Red Wall town has suffered a series of economic blows over decades including the closure of shipyards and coal mines Blyth elected its first Tory MP since the seat was created in 1950 Labour veteran Ian Lavery claimed the seat after the constituency merged with neighbouring Ashington Not three cinema screens,' one local said Now, many voters are considering switching to Reform UK in the upcoming local elections "I'm only voting for Reform because I'm sick of Labour and the Conservatives," said Robert Millican "The biggest issues in Blyth are shoplifting and drug abuse and there are no resources to tackle them," he explained Millican also lamented how his town had become "plagued" by heroin problems - with drug addicts begging outside its Morrisons The staff in stores are terrified half the time," he added The once bustling town centre is now filled with vape shops but there's nothing here now," said Mary Baxter 'I'm only voting for Reform because I'm sick of Labour and the Conservatives,' 42-year-old Robert Millican said Blyth was given hope when plans for an electric car battery plant were laid out in 2020 - but the facility was later scrapped Blyth was given hope when plans for an electric car battery plant were announced the project was scrapped after Britishvolt hit financial difficulties and sold the land to US investment firm Blackstone The site will now become an AI data centre but residents fear it won't create as many jobs "Local people won't get those jobs they will be bringing their own people over because it's specialist work," Millican warned the leader of Northumberland County Council telling The Sun that Blyth "is becoming a hive of activity and renaissance." He highlighted the importance of the Port of Blyth to the North East pointed to the £10billion Data Centre campus investment as "the largest ever seen in the county" and hailed the reopening of the Northumberland Line railway claiming around 250,000 journeys have been taken in just five months Transport connectivity in Blyth is on track for major improvements over the coming years.  Work on the Northumberland Line is continuing at pace with Newsham station set to open soon and continued progress at Blyth Bebside.  Blyth Relief Road will form a key pillar of reducing congestion in the town with the Outline Business Case (OBC) being submitted to Government for review and approval following the County Council budget in February.   With a raft of schemes either underway or in the pipeline a cornerstone of the work is to ensure that all works can be carefully sequenced taking account of feedback from residents and aiming to alleviate issues such as the congestion on the A193 Cowpen Road.  The development of three new cycling and walking routes is ongoing.  The routes will connect key locations across town including the new railway stations employment and education sites and the town centre:  Town Centre to South Beach - this scheme is well underway with works in delivery to improve the route along Broadway set to be completed in June 2025 The scheme is funded by Department for Transport via active Travel Fund Tranche 3.  Town Centre to Bebside Station - a proposed scheme has been developed including improvements on Cowpen Road close to local businesses given the need to plan and sequence improvements in the area in conjunction with the Blyth Relief Road the options for the design and delivery of this scheme will need to be developed further during 2025 taking account of the design of the relief road and the existing pressures on the route.  Once designs are updated later in 2025 a fresh round of consultation and engagement will be planned prior to any delivery planned in line with the Relief Road scheme.  Town Centre to Newsham - this scheme is at the early development stage and subject to further funding with no delivery plans imminent.  Progress is being made on improved cycling and walking routes as part of the town centre’s redevelopment with new routes through the town enabling all users to access existing and new attractions.  The Market Pavilion Cinema and Culture Venue opens this Summer including a new Market Place to make the town more welcoming Bridge Street improvements will be completed in Spring 2025 and Quay Rd improvements later this year.    the improvements in the town centre include a new route from the Quayside ensuring that walkers and cyclists will be directed into the town centre as the current National Cycle Route bypasses the town centre.  The improvements will encourage walkers and cyclists to visit everything the town has to offer including local shops and services via a user friendly route for all ages.  The Blyth Town Centre to Bebside Station cycling and walking infrastructure and other projects in the town centre are all part of the £95m Energising Blyth Programme to grow renew and connect the town.  The programme is delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded by UK Government North East Combined Authority and the County Council Worksop Town travel to Croft Park tomorrow as we face Blyth Spartans in our last game of the regular season The Tigers secured a second-place finish in our 4-0 win on Easter Monday against Basford United which means this game has no permutations on our league position who confirmed back-to-back relegations in the middle of March which means they will be playing step four football next season It will be a good chance for the Tigers to rest some key players going into the all-important playoff semi-final on Tuesday against either Stockton Town or Ashton United The Spartans finished in the last relegation place in the National League North on 50 points a total which would usually suggest safety Colin Myers was officially appointed as first team manager yesterday Myers has experience of coaching in the North East and was previously part of the coaching team at Blyth between 2013-2015 Nicky Deverdics has had a long career playing for numerous clubs across non-league but has settled at Blyth Spartans where he has made 126 appearances since returning to the club in 2021.He has played in the south coast of England with Dover on the border between Scotland and England with Gretna and even further north playing for teams in Iceland and the Faroe Islands All seven goals came in the second half the last time these two teams played as the Tigers ran out 5-2 winners Liam Hughes got a hat-trick with Jordan Burrow and Luke Hall adding fourth and fifth goals to give the Tigers a third win of the season https://blythspartansafc.ktckts.com/event/bly2425h22/blyth-spartans-afc-v-worksop-town-fc Croft ParkPlessey RoadBlythNorthumberlandNE24 3JE Saturday 26th April- Blyth Spartans (A) - 3PM Tuesday 29th April- Stockton Town or Ashton United (H) - 7:45PM (PO SF) 31 Oct 2024 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news Blyth residents and businesses are being invited to see the latest on plans for the Energy Central Institute (ECI) a new higher-level skills and innovation facility in the town centre.  The ECI will be located on the site of the former Keel Row Shopping Centre Designs have been developed during 2024 with the project set to start construction in 2025 and completion of works expected to be in 2027.  The event provides the opportunity for residents businesses and stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposals prior to the submission of a planning application in later in 2024 This is an important step in the design development and planning process The ECI will create a focal point for collaboration between Energy Central Campus/OREC energy businesses and North East universities and develop higher-level skills and technological innovations to keep Energy Central at the forefront of energy sector growth.    It will focus on supporting higher level skills and research in the key growth areas of:    o Renewable Energy and engineering    o Electrification and battery technologies: Driving the electric revolution    o Sector Leadership and Management development  The project will equip young people and adults with the skills needed to take up careers in the sector and enable companies in the region to grow through access to a skilled workforce and support to adopt the latest innovations in clean growth technology Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities at Northumberland County Council said: “It’s an exciting time for Blyth with major improvement works taking place in the town centre alongside continued investment in the renewable energy sector.  “To maximise the growth of the renewable energy boom it’s vital we have local people with the right skills who can step into these roles The ECI will be a cutting edge centre and we want to create that excitement around the plans as we move forward.”  The Energy Central Institute will be operated by Energy Central Campus Ltd a unique partnership between the Port of Blyth Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in conjunction with leading business and University partners with a mission to create the pipeline of talent required for the expanding clean energy sector training and delivering pathways to employment for the local community.  Head of Future Skills at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult said: “The Energy Central Institute (ECI) is the second phase of the Energy Central Campus development which is set to provide transformational skills and innovation development to support the growth of the clean energy sector in Blyth and the wider North East.  “A key focus moving forward will be to provide a seamless partnership between offshore wind industry stakeholders and leading academic universities to develop opportunities for people in across the North East to transition into what is set be a sector of major growth in the years ahead.”  The project is part of the £95m Energising Blyth regeneration Programme to grow renew and connect the town.  The programme is delivered by Northumberland County Council with funding support from UK Government Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority.  31 Mar 2025 | Latest News, Match Report Macclesfield FC cruised their way to an away victory after a dominant 5-0 win against Blyth Spartans the Silkmen came close to taking the lead when Brandon Lee’s cross found the head of D’Mani Mellor Danny Elliott broke the deadlock after poking the ball home from a well-composed pass by Neil Kengni making it his 30th league goal of the season Kengni came close to earning another assist after finding Mellor from the left-hand side but the forward’s attempt was just off target Robbie Savage’s side extended their lead before half time as Sean Etaluku’s curling effort from the edge of the box found the bottom corner Tre Pemberton made a dribbling run into the box before slotting the ball home at the near post to make it 3-0 just three minutes after coming on the pitch as a substitute John Rooney netted Macclesfield’s fourth goal a short corner from Luke Duffy allowed Mellor to get across his man and increase the Silkmen’s lead Max Dearnley was focused on keeping a clean sheet denying Dean Briggs’ effort as the shot went straight at him with 10 minutes left to play The Northern Premier League Champions are just two wins away from claiming 100 points making them the first team to achieve this record since 2017 when Blyth Spartans won the league with 101 points Macclesfield will return to the Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday as they take on Workington Apr 28, 2025 | , Macclesfield FC ended their title-winning season on a high with a comfortable 4-0 victory against Whitby Town The first big opportunity came in the 19th minute as Lewis Fensome made his way into the box before a deflected shot just breezed past the post Apr 25, 2025 | , The Silkmen return to the Leasing.com Stadium for one final time this season as Whitby Town make the journey from North Yorkshire.  Robbie Savage's record-breaking side will be awarded the Northern Premier League - Premier Division trophy Apr 25, 2025 | North-West businessman and investor Darren Wright has officially acquired a stake in Macclesfield Football Club signalling further ambitious & strategic growth plans for the Club.  Darren states: “I’m thrilled to step into the world of football club ownership—a.. Apr 22, 2025 | , Apr 19, 2025 | , Apr 18, 2025 | , We are back at the Leasing.com Stadium for our penultimate home game of the season as Ilkeston Town make the journey from Derbyshire.  Robbie Savage's side have won nine games in a row and will be looking to get another three points closer to breaking Colne Dynamoes.. Apr 17, 2025 | The Club has submitted its annual report and financial statements for the year ending June 2024 Summary of Accounts In the latest fiscal period the club has experienced a robust financial performance marked by significant improvements across key areas Apr 14, 2025 | As the Silkmen embark on their journey to the National League North we are able to confirm season ticket and matchday ticket prices for the 2025/26 season.  Season ticket renewals will be sent out to current season ticket holders via email at 10am on Tuesday 22nd.. Email: info@macclesfieldfc.com Tel: 01625 426 708 We’re heading to Croft Park on Easter Saturday for our penultimate away league game of the season our Away Fan Guide includes all the matchday information if you will be making the trip It is recommended you purchase match tickets online in advance of the game a cash turnstile will also be in operation on the day If you wish to have a seated view of the fixture a transfer to the Port of Blyth Stand is priced at £2 Supporters with registered disability will be included in the same price bracket as 65+ You can pick up a matchday programme priced at £2 each Segregation will not be in place for this fixture with Lions fans able to choose their viewing spot as we line up in our yellow and black away kit A wide selection of hot and cold snacks and beverages will be available from Croft Park Coach travel is available with Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club just call Paul on 07518 445861 to secure a seat The coach leaves Nethermoor at 10:15am priced at £25 for members and £30 for non-members Guiseley AFC: A family-friendly football club playing in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division based in the Leeds/Bradford area of West Yorkshire The latest station to be completed on the Northumberland Line will open on Monday The opening of the line will bring massive benefits not just in terms of travel as well as enhanced public transport connectivity across the wider region.   show around 50,000 passenger journeys were made on the line in the first month That figure has now surpassed 110,000.  Newsham Station in Blyth will remove its barriers and accept passengers from Monday following the opening of Ashington and Seaton Delaval stations in December.  The new station will allow people to travel to Newcastle in 21 minutes with a peak-time return ticket costing just £4.80.  The remaining three stations at Bedlington Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park are scheduled to open throughout 2025.   Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “I’m delighted we can now confirm a date for Newsham Station to open.  “Everyone involved with this project should feel incredibly proud to see another station opening in the next few days.  “The amazing passenger numbers show that this very ambitious project has been needed for decades and that the real commitment from the County Council along with our partners has paid dividends for our residents “The opening of Newsham Station will no doubt bring a further boost to passenger numbers and we look forward to residents and visitors using this station in the very near future.”  Lord Hendy said: “Tens of thousands of people have already benefited from the historic reopening of the Northumberland Line and I’m pleased many more will do so when Newsham station opens next month.  “The line is having a transformational impact on a region that was unserved by the railway for 60 years stimulating economic growth in line with the Government’s Plan for Change providing better travel options for local people and opening up new opportunities for businesses.”  said: “I will be delighted to see Newsham station open in just a few weeks and with it even more people benefit from our integrated Pop card fares connecting passengers on the Northumberland Line seamlessly to the Metro system as well as our £1 fares for everyone up to the age of 21.    “This takes the number of stations on our smart travel network to 62 with more to follow as the Northumberland Line continues to open up.”  Managing Director from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure-Rail said: "The opening of Newsham railway station is a proud achievement for our team and supply chain.   there has been a lot of hard work to get to this point Thank you to everyone who made this possible There are more milestones to come on the Northumberland Line Project and we remain dedicated to delivering the remaining stations with minimal disruption to passengers and the local community in mind.”  said: “We were incredibly proud to bring passenger trains back to the region for the first time in 60 years when the line opened in December.   “I’m delighted to see services are already having such a positive impact allowing tens of thousands of people get where they need to go.  “We’re now looking forward to opening Newsham station so locals can benefit from a reliable and affordable rail service.”  said: “Having been brought back to life the Northumberland Line is proving to be an important part of the North East’s rail network.  “The passenger numbers are very encouraging so far and as Newsham and other stations open their doors the line is sure to go from strength to strength.”  Tickets for The Northumberland Line can be bought via https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/   and tickets to travel to and from Newsham Station will go live on March 10th.  A drop-in event for local residents to find out more about the opening of the station will be held at Blyth Town Football Club on Tuesday Residents of Hull and the East Riding will be able to enjoy trips to the North York Moors this summer thanks to funding from Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to bring back the Moorsbus (M1) service a return service will depart from Bay 23 at Hull Paragon Interchange Passengers can then change for the M3 service including Kirkbymoorside and Hutton-le-Hole passengers can use the M3 service to get back to Pickering with the M1 service starting back from the town at 5.15pm These services are operated by the Moorsbus Community Interest Company (CIC) with a double-decker for the M1 service being provided by East Yorkshire Buses depending on the start and return point of your journey a Moors Rover ticket (adult) costs £10 and a Moors Rover ticket (child) costs £3 All English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passes are also accepted said: “We’re delighted that people in Hull and the East Riding will be able to enjoy the North York Moors once more this summer “Those without cars and those who don’t want to use their own vehicles will no longer be excluded from the stunning sightseeing and walking amongst the moors pubs and countless other attractions offered by their nearest national park “It has been a pleasure to work with Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to get the new Moorsbus M1 service on the road “Since the treasured Moors Explorer service stopped serving Pickering we’ve been asked many times for it to return and the enthusiasm of the two councils and East Yorkshire Buses has made this possible and passengers will be able to change onto other Moorsbus services to enjoy more of the area as well “We think that a Sunday or Bank Holiday ride on a double decker bus over the moors is going to be very popular and it’s good to think that everybody choosing to see them this way will help to keep the North York Moors National Park a beautiful peaceful place as well as protecting this precious environment.” cabinet portfolio holder for transportation said: “Providing greater choice for how people can travel for leisure and visit destinations in our county is an important part of our bus service improvement plan (BSIP) for the year and we anticipate that our residents will enjoy its return over the summer.” cabinet member for environment and transport at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “I’m extremely pleased we can jointly fund the continuation of this popular bus service taking passengers from the East Riding and Hull into beautiful parts of neighbouring North Yorkshire.  “This shows we’re creating greater connections for local passengers and promoting buses as a leisurely For the full timetable and fares, visit: www.moorsbus.org Plans for the long-awaited Blyth Relief Road have taken a significant step forward as Northumberland County Council has announced its intention to submit an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Department for Transport (DfT) This decision follows the approval of the County Council’s budget in February The proposed relief road is part of a multi-million-pound infrastructure project aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Blyth a town that has long struggled with heavy vehicle volumes on its main routes intended to replace the currently congested single lane along the A1061 will also involve widening existing stretches to accommodate dual carriageway standards Additional plans include constructing a new single carriageway link between Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive Local traffic issues have been a growing concern for the Council with both the A193 Cowpen Road and A1061 Laverock Hall Road experiencing daily traffic flow exceeding 20,000 vehicles With a predicted surge in traffic related to the delivery of Blyth’s Local Plan the current road infrastructure is at risk of becoming increasingly inadequate The proposed realignment and dualling of the A1061 aims to create a direct connection between the A192 Three Horseshoes Roundabout and the A193 South Beach which is seen as crucial not only for relieving congestion but also for facilitating economic growth in the region This project is aligned with other local developments including the Northumberland Line project and initiatives designed to improve cycling and walking paths in the area the Blyth Relief Road is eligible for funding from the DfT’s National Roads Fund (NRF) earmarked for significant improvements on some of the UK’s busiest ‘A’ roads Blyth is currently undergoing extensive regeneration efforts including a £90M project named “Energising Blyth” alongside a multi-billion-pound investment in green energy projects and the establishment of a new data centre on the north bank of the River Blyth Construction of the relief road is estimated to be completed by 2027 contingent on the receipt of necessary approvals the Council has updated its OBC to reflect changing traffic patterns post-COVID and to ensure it aligns with other regional schemes the Council has allocated £720,000 for detailed design work and the preparation of planning application materials Preliminary designs for the road alignment and junctions have been completed with further developments in landscaping and drainage also underway An official planning application is expected to be submitted by April or May Northumberland County Council deputy leader and cabinet member for supporting business and opportunities Richard Wearmouth said: “Blyth is playing an increasingly key role in our county as an economic powerhouse and to maximise its potential we need to have the right infrastructure in place “Our latest Benefit to Cost Ratio calculations show the scheme will provide high value for money giving us optimism that we have a strong strategic case to take to government “This is another milestone in this ambitious project which will make journeys easier for thousands of drivers each day as well as making it more attractive to new businesses and boosting both the town and the region’s economy.” Like 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