TRAFFIC CHAOS IN LONG EATON

Multiple roadworks around Long Eaton and Sawley have caused traffic chaos on Monday and Tuesday with some drivers reporting journeys taking over an hour more than usual. Derbyshire County Council said National Grid emergency cable works in Sawley near Long Eaton Railway Station have had a major impact. A spokesman said: "These were not planned works and were the result of an emergency and resulted in five-way temporary traffic lights." The work was due to be completed on Tuesday. In addition four roads were shut in Long Eaton due to planned works and a fallen tree blocked Tamworth Road on Monday, Trentbarton says it has been experiencing 85-minute delays to its Indigo and my15 service through the area. 

GLAMPING PLANS REJECTED  A Stapleford glamping site's expansion plans have been rejected over worries they would create "unacceptable" noise and damage the greenbelt. Meadow View glamping site, in Mill Road, had applied to both increase its opening hours and build two new bungalows along with road improvements. The plans were turned down by the Government's Planning Inspectorate after an appealed against Broxtowe Borough Councils earlier decision. 

PEWIT LAND SALE

Residents who feared part of a former golf course could be sold to developers have learned from council chiefs that it WON’T – and that ALL the land will be turned into a new nature reserve for the community. The reassurance came at a town hall meeting in Ilkeston where Erewash’s leader Cllr James Dawson met with his cabinet over the future of the town’s disused Pewit municipal course. The executive team officially rejected an option that would have seen between eight and nine acres earmarked for disposal while the rest is transformed into a wildlife haven. The decision on Tuesday 16th April clears the way for the entirety of the land – some 25 acres – to become a tranquil beauty spot right on the edge of town. 

More than £500,000 will be invested in creating what will be called Pewit Coronation Meadows Local Nature Reserve. The cash is NOT coming from council tax. Half is government levelling-up investment through what is called the Shared Prosperity Fund. The rest is money paid to the town hall by businesses involved in the redevelopment of the old Stanton ironworks. 

The under-used golf course at West End Drive closed in 2022. Work on transforming it into a nature reserve is poised to start soon in what is the council’s golden anniversary year. Natural England and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have welcomed the council’s blueprint for the land. The reserve will form an extension of existing green havens including Straw’s Bridge – celebrated for its Swan Lake. One element of the plan could see the course’s former pavilion building become an educational centre and coffee shop. 

LENS

 Mon Apr 22 Aquabox Charity:  Indoor. Meet 10.30am in the car park, postcode DE4 3QL. For non-sat navvers follow A6 to Cromford traffic lights. From Derby turn left up the hill, from Matlock turn right. The Aquabox depot is in a small industrial estate on the right just before the brow of the hill. (If you pass under the bridge you’ve gone too far!) The depot has a big sign and is in the far left corner. THE CAR PARK SURFACE IS DREADFUL SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL TO AVOID THE POTHOLES. 

Leader Roz Adamson. Visit Rose End Meadows after lunch, weather permitting (note this short walk will include 2 stiles). Please wear suitable footwear and clothing . Cost £1.50 for LENS members, guests £2.50.  Queries - contact Joan Breakwell 07527 007280  

COUNCIL TAX

 Erewash pegs council tax rise at 2.99%   

Councillors in Erewash have voted for a below-inflation 2.99 per cent rise in the borough’s council tax. The decision came at a meeting of the full council on Thursday (7th March). It means an extra 12p a week for a Band D property as the borough battles to keep bills down despite facing a cash squeeze itself. Only a fraction of what people pay goes to Erewash – with the lion’s share taken by Derbyshire County Council.  

Erewash’s leader Cllr James Dawson has vowed that the authority will continue lobbying the Government for more funding after the borough was forced to introduce subscriptions to keep its green waste collections going from 1st April. Residents who want to continue getting their brown bins emptied will have to pay an annual £32 fee – although this falls to £20 for those signing up online before March 31st. 

Erewash remains confident it can balance its 2024/25 budget as it continues to explore savings. But like much of local government it faces huge deficits in 2025/26 and beyond. A survey asking residents what the council’s priorities should be found almost six in ten are happy with the services it provides. The same proportion – 59 per cent – said they also fully understood the cash-strapped authority’s financial situation and funding. Just 20 per cent were dissatisfied with the council’s services. The online survey saw almost 300 residents seize the chance to give their views. Cllr Dawson said: “I want to thank everyone for taking time to respond to the consultation. It is the first time the council has done budget consultation in this way. All the feedback is gratefully received and will be used by the Executive to shape how we engage with residents and how we deliver in the future.” 

Cllr Gordon Thomas, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Resources, told the council meeting at Ilkeston Town Hall how Government funding for the borough was “again below what was needed”. He and the leader had reacted to the initial offer by demanding a funding guarantee grant of at least three per cent more. They managed to get the sum upped by one per cent – £117,000. Cllr Thomas said of the council managing to set a balanced budget without dipping into its depleted reserves: “It’s a fantastic achievement.” 

NEW CAFE

  New café at Erewash Museum 

Erewash’s award-winning museum is to get a swish new café as the popular heritage community hub undergoes a major transformation to attract even more visitors. The refurbishment works will begin next week and will see the new café installed in the main building and connect with the existing museum gift shop. The work will take several days, meaning the museum in Ilkeston – which is usually open three days a week – will be unable to welcome visitors on Thursday 14th March, Friday 15th March and Saturday 16th March.  T

he museum expects to welcome back visitors the following week on Thursday 21 March – with the unveiling of the new café in April to coincide with the Easter school holidays. The revamp is being carried out in partnership with the Friends of Erewash Museum – which is a charity that fundraises to support it. The new café will offer visitors the opportunity to get a drink and a light bite to eat. Erewash council’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is the Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The refurbishment comes hot on the heels of the museum becoming home to a life-size statue of a soldier that was made entirely of crochet. It has been attracting crowds to a poignant exhibition called Yarns of Valour – telling the stories of locals involved in conflicts around the world. Our new café will be selling a range of refreshments and snacks alongside the great offering of museum gifts – making it a perfect place to relax and another big draw for our wonderful heritage centre.” 

 Brian Parker, who is treasurer of the Friends of Erewash Museum, said: “The current Old Stables Tearoom is popular but fairly small, especially for big events. The new café at the heart of the museum means there will be more room within the main building alongside the option to reopen the tearoom when more capacity is needed.” 

The Erewash Museum near Ilkeston’s Market Place is open Thursdays to Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. Entry is free.