Proposals to create thousands of jobs and new homes across County Durham are to take a step forward with further consultation beginning this week. Durham County Council’s County Durham Plan will move a step closer to being adopted, with people being given eight weeks from Tuesday (May 26) to comment on modifications made to it. Much of the...

Steel fabricated in Newton Aycliffe has helped to complete an £8.5m office complex in the heart of Darlington town centre. Finley Structures fabricated and erected 330 tonnes of steel for the five-storey, state-of-the-art development, which was funded by Darlington Council, the Tees Valley mayor and combined authority and the European Regional...

County Durham’s fire service has come to the rescue of a local café thanks to a new volunteering unit aiming to support local organisations during the coronavirus pandemic. The partnership was set up by County Durham Together as part of its work to match organisations in need with businesses and individuals who have volunteered their...

Community venues across County Durham are being encouraged to apply for financial support to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. With the government’s Business Support Grants scheme having now been extended, Durham County Council is urging community centres and venues, which might not have thought themselves eligible, to apply. To...

A temporary relaxation of concessionary travel arrangements in County Durham will end next week to help bus companies manage social distancing. As more people return to work, public transport operators across the region face the challenge of meeting this extra demand, while ensuring a safe environment for passengers. Passenger numbers are...

Schools in County Durham are being advised that they should only start a phased reopening when they feel it is safe to do so, following the Government’s announcement on the phased return. Durham County Council has been working with schools and has provided comprehensive guidance on risk assessment, acknowledging that the circumstances for...

Innovative Aycliffe manufacturer Roman has added new shields for desks and receptions to its portfolio of products to help local firms to tackle the Covid-19 crisis. Many companies have re-opened recently or are planning to re-open soon as the UK economy hopes to bounce back from the coronavirus downturn. And as firms look to implement safe...

Slow down, save lives – that is the message we are urging motorists to pay attention to as a national speed campaign launches. Officers in the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) will be taking part in the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) speed enforcement operation. With the gradual relaxing of lockdown...

Greenfield Arts and Greenfield Community College are celebrating after being nominated for national awards. Greenfield Arts have been recognised for their contributions to family focused arts activities, bringing creativity to local communities. In their 20th birthday year they are reflecting upon the many activities, projects and events...

A Newton Aycliffe-based company providing support services for schools is looking to expand as it looks ahead to its 10th anniversary. Peter Barron talks to the two women behind the success story… As they prepare to celebrate their tenth anniversary as business partners in the challenging world of education, Sarah Monk and Julie Sowerby can...