Roger Spriddell, County Councillor.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Update on The Active Travel Corridor Phase from St John’s Crescent to Palace Road/Clayton corner.

As mentioned in previous posts and also briefly detailed on the warning road signs currently positioned on the route here are further details.

Many local people should have received the letter displayed above warning of the disruption to road access.

There are Two Phases which will affect travel.

1) The Part of St John’s Road from St John’s W to Palace Road Corner will be closed from 8th June to 19th July.

However access will still be available to The Academy and Kings/Queens Road Estate via Clayton Corner to Palace Road. But Access to The Gables Medical Group will be via St John’s W into Johns Road and back in reverse order.

2) The Clayton Street/ Palace Road corner to the junction with St John’s Road will be closed from 20 July for a month.

However access to The Academy or Kings/Queens Road Estate and The Gables will be via St Jon’s W and St John’s Road.

We are awaiting updated details of bus routes from Arriva. Until they are available I cannot comment on actual arrangements. I’m led to believe that routes will be possibly Stead Lane and the A1147.

Revised Public Transport arrangement will be posted at normal locations on the affected routes and on Social Media in due course

Thank-you for your patience. Further updates in due course
Cllr Roger Spriddell

02/06/2026

Last night all of your County Councillors met together for their latest Borderlands Funding meeting, to discuss the proposed changes and developments that we have been working up for some time now as part of The Bedlington Partnership Town Improvement Team.

Our agenda also included delivering the Public Realm improvements for visitors and residents coming to Bedlington Front Street and Bedlington Station.

There have been so many changes in the last year or so with Town Centre development, The introduction of the Active Travel Corridor to link up West and East Bedlington with Sleekburn plus the opening of the Northumberland Line at Bedlington Station.

There are further proposed changes in the pipeline to modernise/repurpose the Public Realm ranging from altering the Town Centre and making it more attractive to increase footfall by investments in buildings, changing paving and introducing lighting schemes.

At Bedlington Station we have the proposed Heritage Cafe/Bistro and much needed investment in the Public Realm to improve safety, possibly new paving, lighting and encouraging better use of the Green Area on Ravensworth Street through seating areas and planting. We also need Gateway signage and a general uplift of the area.

There will be initial public presentations next week on Thursday 11th of June at both The West Bedlington Community Centre from 12.00 Noon to 3.00pm and then at our East Bedlington Community Centre, opposite Bobby Cowell’s from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

You can attend either venue to find out more and see the plans. Make a note of those times.

Questionnaires will be available for completion. It is important so please pop along and see what the initial proposals are and have your say and input your ideas or make your views known.

I look forward to seeing as many people there as possible to help improve our Community Areas for you and your families.

Kind Regards
Cllr Roger Spriddell

31/05/2026

So yesterday I posted the notice and survey for scoping exercise and the start of reviewing the now outdated Local Plan. This is the Real Chance for Local People to have a say in how their areas are developed.

There have been massive changes since it was first written, particularly in South East Northumberland. We have The Industrial Zones in Sleekburn with recently announced planned Manufacturing bringing thousands of jobs, The AI Investment Zone which has attracted QTS and others plus the development of The Green Energy Site with JDR Cables. Then we have massive inward investment at the Cambois Deep Water Dock which is to boost the Energy Sector. We have the North Sea Connector to Norway and the Power Conversion Park connected to the National Grid.

Now with all of the anticipated jobs in construction and ongoing new employment at all of those sites we are planning for an increase in population with people needing housing and the infrastructure that is required to support new developments. It is anticipated that 34,500 New Homes will be built in Northumberland during the next 10 years. About 87% will be required for people moving to Northumberland.

Given the massive increase in jobs and investment, currently anticipated, it is clear that South East Northumberland will be a key area for those new homes. People living locally area by area now need to say where they do or don’t want residential development. Key to this will be land around or between Railway networks and we have the New Northumberland Line linking through the area.

There will clearly be a need for new public services such as local transport, schools, dentists, GP services, shops and leisure facilities to meet the demands of a growing population. The demographics of Northumberland have been changing and the population is becoming older with young people reducing in numbers. Perhaps the increase in work and family numbers can go some way to reversing that trend.

So this is a heads up to start thinking ahead. This Local Plan will be going through different stages as it is populated with feedback and options but you should all become involved and give your input throughout the process. This is probably the single most important document affecting the people of Northumberland so please participate.

30/05/2026

Now it is time for every resident in Northumberland to have input and say what they would like or not like their local area to look like over the next 10 years.

This is your opportunity to tell NCC what you need locally, housing, schools, dentists, A family leisure centre, better local bus services etc etc. Give it a try and let’s tell them what we need.

Don’t hold back and moan later when they say there was no demand shown in the survey.

You might have seen we've launched our Local Plan Consultation, but you might be thinking, what is a Local Plan? 🤔

A Local Plan is a document prepared by the council that sets out how an area will grow and develop over time. It helps decide things like:
🏡 Where new homes and businesses should be located
🏡 What infrastructure is needed (things like roads and schools)
🏡 Which areas should be protected, such as green spaces and historic sites
🏡 How development can support climate action and healthy communities

It’s used to guide planning decisions, so it plays a key role in shaping the future of Northumberland.

💬 Have your say on the updated Northumberland Local Plan and help shape the next 20 years in our county 👉 https://nland.uk/NlandLocalPlan

30/05/2026

Hers one for your diary in September. Great venue straight opposite the Railway Station at Bedlington. Get booked up it’s going to be popular!

Get ready to relive the magic! We are bringing you the ultimate tribute to one of the greatest icons in music history.

Join us at Platform 1 for an unforgettable night as John Francis takes the stage as George Michael! 🎤✨

From the soulful, heart-wrenching ballads that made you cry, to the absolute dancefloor anthems that make you wanna wake up before you go-go, he’ll have you grooving all night long. You know the words, you know the moves, so don’t choose life... choose tickets!

📅 The Details:
When: Friday 18 September 2026
Time: Doors open at 7pm (Allocated seating)
Where: 16 & 17 Station Street, Bedlington Station, NE22 7JN

🎟️ Ticket Information: Tickets are just £5!
👉 Grab yours online via https://www.skiddle.com/ (Ts & Cs apply)
👉 Pop into the venue to buy direct
👉 Call us to pay over the phone: 📞 01670 828808

Book your tickets now! This is a night you won't want to miss.

29/05/2026

Support your local band nights

Our bands for June & July 🎸🎶

You can now purchase your tickets online at https://www.skiddle.com/ (Skiddle's Ts & Cs apply), or alternatively pop into the venue or call 01670 828808.

We can't wait to see you all on the dance floor!

27/05/2026

More opportunities

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You’ll learn from expert lecturers with a wealth of industry experience in a hands-on training environment designed to prepare you for real work opportunities and progression into apprenticeships.

🏗️ Build skills for the future
🛠️ Learn practical trade techniques
👷 Train with experienced professionals

Apply now for September via their website and find out more on the course info sheet👇
https://a15e028a-a8a3-4b16-9d56-ed0548fa527c.filesusr.com/ugd/04ba77_0b04772e4cc646dbaee9cce20cf7d0a3.pdf

Explore their wider construction offer👇 www.northumberlandskills.co.uk/construction