Cllr Richard Ross - Reform UK North Tyneside, North Tyneside Council, Newcastle upon Tyne (2026)

20/06/2026

Cameras on Lamp Columns – Dudley / Annitsford

Residents have asked about the cameras that have appeared on lamp posts locally. I’ve taken this up with the council and can confirm:

- These are temporary traffic survey cameras
- They are being used to collect vehicle movement and transport data
- The work is linked to wider transport planning and Local Plan evidence
- The surveys have been approved by the council
- The systems are set up to collect non-personal, anonymised data only

➡️ These are not surveillance cameras and form part of standard traffic monitoring work.
I’ve also followed this up further regarding how equipment is installed on lamp columns and other highway assets.

This is currently managed through internal coordination between teams, rather than a formal permissions process. I’ve raised this to ensure there is clear oversight and consistency going forward, particularly where third-party equipment is involved

I’m satisfied the current activity is legitimate, and I’ll continue to monitor how this is managed in future.

19/06/2026

✅ 📢 Your Weekly Update – Weetslade & North Tyneside
A few things worth keeping residents up to speed on this week, and where I’ve been pushing on your behalf.

🏗️ Planning & Decision Making
I’ve now had responses back on a number of planning objections I submitted over the past few weeks.
👉 In both cases, the answer has broadly been:

- the decisions stand
- the issues raised will be dealt with later

👉 That’s the concern.
Across different applications I’m seeing the same pattern:

- issues identified early
- not fully assessed at that stage
- pushed down the line or left to conditions

👉 It raises a simple question, how are decisions being made if the full impacts aren’t properly worked through at the point they’re signed off?
I’m not against development, but I do expect:

- proper process
- evidence up front
- not problems being kicked further down the road

🏠 Housing
Still the number one issue raised with me.

- demand remains high
- very little movement
- strong competition

👉 Most availability is still smaller or age-restricted [1 June to 12 June | Word]
👉 People are still being left without realistic options.

🚧 A19 Moor Farm Junction
There’s now a consultation open on proposed changes to the A19 Moor Farm junction.
👉 Aimed at reducing congestion and improving reliability.
👉 Worth noting, this isn’t guaranteed to go ahead, it depends on value for money and affordability.
👉 If you use the A19 regularly, it’s worth having your say:
https://nationalhighways.citizenspace.com/he/a19-moor-farm-junction-options-consultation/

🟢 Armed Forces Day
I’ll be attending Armed Forces Day in Whitley Bay on 27 June.

Parade and service at the Cenotaph
Community events taking place afterwards nearby

👉 Always a strong local turnout and an important chance to recognise those who’ve served.

✅ What I’ve been working on
- 4 formal planning objections submitted and now being responded to
- 32 live issues being progressed, including:

* Wideopen pavements
* grounds maintenance, grass, w**ds, general upkeep, the Burn!
* parking concerns
* e-scooters / off-road bikes
* odour complaints (ongoing investigation)
* empty properties and ASB
plus many more...

👉 Some of these are long-standing and haven’t been properly dealt with, now being pushed.

📊 Social media, i have been doing this 4 weeks, and some of these updates are now reaching 40,000+ people locally, which is great to see - thank you and any requests or improvement suggestions welcome.

👉 The more people engaging, the harder it is for issues to be ignored.

👉 If something’s affecting you locally, message me and I’ll take it up.

18/06/2026

🔵 UPCOMING SURGERY DETAILS – Weetslade Ward

Here’s a quick update on my upcoming surgeries across the ward.
✅ Monthly Surgeries confirmed:

📅 First Saturday of each month
Wideopen Library: 09:15 – 10:00
John Willie Sams Centre: 10:15 – 11:00

✅ New [confirmed] Evening Surgeries (3rd Friday of the month):

📍 Moor House Pub, Seaton Burn
🗓 Friday 19 June
⏰ 5:00pm – 7:00pm

📍 [Venue TBC], Wideopen
🗓 Friday 17 July
⏰ 5:00pm – 7:00pm

📍 Dudley Hotel
🗓 Friday 21 August
⏰ 5:00pm – 7:00pm

📍 Hazlerigg & District Social Club
🗓 Friday 18 September
⏰ 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Pop in for a pint, tea and a chat — whether it’s something quick or something ongoing.

18/06/2026

Wideopen Library – Update

I recently raised concerns regarding the condition of the hedge and grassed area around Wideopen Library.

The reason initially given for not cutting this back was bird nesting. While I fully understand the need to protect wildlife, this hadn’t been addressed over the winter months either, so it’s not clear when this work would normally take place.

I’m pleased to confirm that this has now been cut back, improving visibility and making it safer for parents and children using the area.

There were sections where brambles were sitting at children’s eye height, which is clearly a safety issue and needed addressing.

Going forward:

* I’ll be keeping an eye on this area to make sure maintenance is carried out at appropriate times. Safety needs to be properly balanced alongside environmental considerations.

I’ve also been advised there are potential plans for improvements, including:

* Wildflower / meadow planting within the hedge
* Fruit trees being introduced

Wider point
Separately, I’ve also noticed the general condition of grassed areas across Wideopen, including places like Lockey Park, isn’t where it should be.
That’s something I’m now picking up as a separate piece of work to understand:

* Maintenance schedules
* Standards across sites
* And how we improve overall upkeep

If there are other areas locally that need attention, feel free to message me.

17/06/2026

Wideopen Pavements – Update

This is something I’ve noticed myself living on the estate, and it’s also been raised with me by a number of residents, particularly elderly residents and parents of young children, as a genuine safety concern, whether that’s mobility issues, trip hazards, or children using scooters and bikes. My son regularly dismounts his scooter to lift over the 25mm break shown in photo.

I’ve now followed this issue up with the council and reviewed a large amount of information provided by residents.

What i have been told:

* Inspections and repairs are happening, based on a risk-based system
* Footways like those across estates are typically inspected around every 6 months
* Repairs are only triggered where defects meet a defined threshold (generally 20mm or greater)

The council is using a mix of repair solutions:

* Slab replacements
* Bitmac (“flags-to-flex”) repairs, which are intended to be more durable in certain areas (see other photo)

The concern:
From what I’ve seen on site (and from detailed resident evidence), the overall condition in parts of Wideopen isn’t improving, and in some cases repairs don’t appear to last.

This matches what many of you have been telling me:

* Uneven paving
* Ongoing trip hazards
* People avoiding footpaths altogether

There also appears to be a gap between:

* What is being identified through inspections
* What residents are experiencing day to day

Next step:
I’ve gone back to the council to better understand:

* How defects are being assessed and prioritised in practice
* How effective current repairs are over time
* Whether a more coordinated, area-based approach is needed, rather than repeated reactive fixes

I will continue to work on this and find answers and solutions, and will update once I have a further response.

If you’ve been affected, feel free to message me directly.

16/06/2026

🌱 Grounds Maintenance – Wideopen Update

I’ve had a lot of reports about overgrown grass and w**ds across Wideopen, and I’ve seen it myself (see photos).

This isn’t just one issue. It’s across:

- Parks (incl. Lockey Park)
- Roadside verges
- Residential green areas (Coach Lane, Melness Road, Brunswick Green and beyond)

Right now:

- Grass isn’t being cut regularly 🚫
- Weeds are overtaking signs and footpaths 🚫
- Edges, trimming and general upkeep are falling behind 🚫
- Long grass where children are playing is hiding dog fouling, please take care

We’re mid-June! the standard simply isn’t good enough.

I’ve raised this formally and have seen how the programme should work (including w**d treatment rounds)…
Problem is: it’s not translating into results on the ground

Key question:
Why is the current approach not delivering — and how is it going to be fixed? Thats for me to answer.

I need your help
Send me:

📍 Location (street or what3words)
📸 Photos

Also, I’ve had reports of crews stationary for long periods (e.g. near cricket pitch).
If you’ve seen this:

Time / location / photos appreciated

This looks like a wider issue, and I’m working to get answers and standards back where they should be.

16/06/2026

Smell/Odour Issues in Dudley near Annitsford F'm

I’ve had a number of residents raise concerns about odours in the Dudley, which I’ve formally taken up with the council (Member Enquiries ref: 219569 and 219747).
I can confirm:

Environmental Health are actively investigating, including regular site visits
The site most referenced (Sterling Organics) is regulated by the Environment Agency, who are leading on this.

The council is working alongside the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water to identify the source

Residents may be asked to complete diary sheets to help build evidence

There is no confirmed source yet, so this is being treated as a multi-agency investigation.

If you are affected, please continue to report it, and feel free to message me directly with your address and details, and I will ensure this is passed on to the investigating team.

I’ll continue to monitor this and will update when more information becomes available.

12/06/2026

📢 Your Weekly Update – Weetslade & North Tyneside
A few things worth keeping residents up to speed on this week.

🏗️ Planning & Development
Planning pressure isn’t slowing down, more applications coming forward across the borough, including larger housing sites and smaller conversions.
👉 I’ve raised objections on a number of these where things don’t stack up, particularly around policy and unresolved issues.
👉 There’s also a consultation on the Annitsford Farm site (Dudley) at the end of June, worth attending if you’re affected locally.

🏠 Housing
This is still the biggest issue people raise with me.

demand remains high
limited movement
strong competition for homes

👉 Latest listings are still mostly smaller or age-restricted properties
👉 The gap between what’s approved and what people can actually access isn’t closing.

🟢 Veterans & Remembrance
I’ve been in touch with the Royal British Legion this week, around 8,800 veterans live in North Tyneside, many needing support with housing, work and health.
👉 Having served 23 years myself, this matters, if you’re a veteran and need help, get in touch and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Also good to see recognition locally, a new plaque in Burradon remembering WWII servicemen, the area’s “forgotten sons”.

👉 Important that history and service aren’t overlooked.

🚇 Metro

The original Metro trains are in their final weeks after 46 years

👉 End of an era, worth catching a journey while they’re still running.

⚠️ The bigger picture
Week by week I’m seeing the same thing:

development continuing
housing pressure unchanged
delivery not always keeping up

👉 It’s not just about approving things, it’s about whether they actually work for residents.

✅ What I’ve been working on

Submitted planning objections, now heard at Committee
2 surgeries held → 9 issues picked up and being progressed
Pushing long-standing Weetslade issues, paving in Wideopen, overgrown bushes and grass
Escalated e-scooter / e-bike concerns
Ongoing work chasing issues raised by residents

👉 If something’s affecting you locally, message me and I’ll take it up.

10/06/2026

🌿 Two Great Local Opportunities to Get Involved

I want to highlight two really positive opportunities for residents across Weetslade to get involved in supporting and improving our local community.

🧹 Community Litter & Local Action Group (Weetslade)
North Tyneside are pulling together a directory of local litter picking groups, recognising the great work volunteers already do.
Rather than wait, I’d like to get something started here in Weetslade.
My aim is to create a local, apolitical group focused on simple, practical improvements:

Litter picking
General environmental upkeep
Supporting pride in our local areas

This is about community first, not politics.
I’m happy to lead this in the short term to get it established, but longer‑term this should absolutely be resident‑led, with councillors there simply to support.

✅ I’m currently looking for:

Volunteers who want to get involved
Anyone willing to step forward as a group lead/coordinator
Residents who want to help shape how this works locally

Even a small amount of time makes a big difference, if you’re interested, please contact me.

🤝 Volunteer Opportunity – Supporting Older Residents

I also want to share this opportunity from Age UK North Tyneside, who are looking for people to:

Support older residents
Help represent their voice locally
Get involved in community initiatives

This is a great chance to make a genuine difference to people who need it most.

👉 If you’d like to get involved, please reply or message me with your details, and I will pass them on.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved locally, these are two great ways to start, and both will make a real difference to our community.

09/06/2026

Hazlewood, the numbers vs the decision

I’ve reviewed the council’s own data provided to councillors, the same data used to plan schools and services.

And I’ll be blunt, it raises serious questions.

This is not an area in decline.
We have a stable population, a consistent number of children, and clear ongoing need for school places.
At the same time:

Hazlewood has 27.5% FSM
There is ongoing SEND demand
The data shows a steady, functioning community

Yet despite all of that,
this school is being closed (currently under appeal).

Now here’s what doesn’t sit right.
Hazlewood has been running in temporary accommodation, classrooms in modular units, through winter.
And despite that,
it is still outperforming Greenfields.
Still supporting pupils.
Still delivering.

Then you look at SEND.

Greenfields already has around 10% EHCP
Hazlewood supports additional needs, including children who moved from Greenfields and are now flourishing

So residents are asking:
👉 What happens to those children if Hazlewood disappears?
👉 Do they go back into already stretched settings?
Because as a governor, I’ve seen it first-hand,
some of those children are doing better here.

Step back and look at it:
How does closing a working school in a stable community make sense?

This isn’t politics, it’s a simple question:
👉 Does the decision match the reality?
👉 Or does the data tell a different story?
As your councillor, my job is to make sure those questions are heard.

#️⃣

Cllr Richard Ross - Reform UK North Tyneside

20/06/2026

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

17/06/2026

16/06/2026

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09/06/2026

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