Telford & Wrekin news, page 2


Shropshire worklessness figures released

Almost one out of every five households in Telford & Wrekin had no-one in work during 2010, according to new figures released today.


Authority’s 25,000 CRB checks on staff

Telford & Wrekin Council has requested more than 25,000 criminal record checks in the last six years.


Telford green road scheme on shortlist for cash

A multi-million pound scheme to transform Telford’s central road network and create a greener transport system has been shortlisted for a major Government grant.


Telford & Wrekin Council to appoint interim chief

The appointment of a new interim chief executive at Telford & Wrekin Council is expected to be rubber-stamped today.


What is the state of Shropshire’s high streets?

Shropshire shoppers, business leaders and councillors today defended the county’s high streets after a national report claimed a triple whammy of high rates, spiralling rents and competition from big retailers are killing Britain’s high streets.


Fewer people take journeys on buses

Figures show there are hundreds of thousands fewer bus journeys in Shropshire compared to five years ago, it was revealed today.


Local election results – as they happened

esults from the Telford & Wrekin Council and Welsh Assembly election counts as they are announced.


Shropshire vow to save key services

Council leaders  across England maintained today that they were trying to protect frontline services despite making huge spending cuts, by targeting areas such as senior management and administration for savings.


Shropshire protesters join cuts march

More than 1,000 angry demonstrators from Shropshire travelled to London today for the national march against Government cuts.


Tax threatens up to 8,500 Shropshire pub industry workers

A rise in the level of beer tax could put the jobs of up to 8,500 industry workers in Shropshire under threat, the British Beer and Pub Association said today.


Street party planning gets off to a slow start

Just nine street parties have been applied for in Shropshire for the royal wedding, resulting in one council extending its deadline for applications.


Telford & Wrekin Council repairs 3,000 potholes

Telford & Wrekin Council today said it had filled more than 3,000 potholes in two weeks after the big freeze caused damage to roads across the county.


Move to clear Shropshire waste backlog

Emergency recycling collections were due to continue in parts of Shropshire today as council bosses continue to battle a build up of rubbish following the Arctic weather conditions which hit the county.


Some Telford boys of 11 have reading age of a seven year old

Thousands of boys leaving primary school – including many in Telford & Wrekin – have the reading age of a seven year old or younger, it emerged today.


Huge council bill for Shropshire scrap metal thefts

Scrap metal thefts in Shropshire have cost the county’s councils tens of thousands of pounds in three years, figures reveal today.


Telford to thank Shropshire George Cross hero Kim Hughes

Telford & Wrekin Council is to officially thank Shropshire George Cross hero Kim Hughes for his bravery, borough mayor Councillor Ian Fletcher told a full meeting of the authority last night.


Truancy levels fall at Shropshire schools

Truancy at schools across Telford & Wrekin has fallen following a concerted drive to boost attendances.


Councils’ workplace parking fee scheme

Councils across the country are pushing ahead with plans to charge for parking at workplaces, it was disclosed today.


Illegal number plates could be fined

Ben Bentley investigates the growing trend for vanity car registration plates and finds out that not only could many be illegal, some could leave you £1,000 out of pocket.


Shropshire’s rural areas ‘risk being forgotten’

Rural areas like Shropshire risk being “forgotten” as the Government “dismantles” support agencies and slashes budgets, a leading rural campaigner claimed today.


Shropshire pubs are fighting the recession

Pubs in Shropshire are among the best in the UK at fighting the recession and more landlords are looking to open in the county, it was claimed today.


Telford to get new schools, say bosses

Council bosses are to plough ahead with plans to rebuild schools across Telford & Wrekin despite fears the new coalition Government could scrap the scheme.


Pupils miss tests in boycott of Sats

Tens of thousands of primary school children were set to miss their Sats today in a boycott being staged across the country.


Politicians back taxi fare fight

Telford taxi drivers’ fight against fare rises has been given a boost with major political figures backing their campaign against proposed operating hikes.


Top council jobs axed to cut costs

Telford & Wrekin Council has axed a third of its senior managers who all earned at least £75,000-a-year, it was revealed today. The jobs cull is part of a cost-cutting drive ahead of demands for cuts in public spending.


Health service has swine flu jabs leftover

Shropshire’s health service is still left with nearly 30,000 doses of the swine flu jab, it was revealed today. But the vaccination programme will continue across the county until September.


Telford pothole teams aim for rapid response

A new fleet of fast response vehicles manned by emergency clear-up crews is taking to the roads to help keep Telford & Wrekin in good repair.


Lights are left on by authority

LETTER: Ever tried getting from south to north Telford at dark o’clock in the morning without the benefit of a car or public transport? It’s very enlightening.


Shropshire house price gap widens

The gap between house prices in Shropshire is dramatically increasing – with the average cost of a property rising across the county but falling in Telford & Wrekin.


Teen mum rise for part of county

The number of teenage pregnancies in parts of Shropshire has risen by three per cent, official figures reveal today.

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