Dear [NAME],

New non-emergency POLICE number... Please note and pass on to all that the police non-emergency phone number changes from 1st August 2008 - by one digit - to 0345 60 60 365 

This is to ensure that all callers are charged at minimum rate.

I'm quite shocked myself to hear of this as I've seen neither publicity nor public information literature, not even on the Durham Constabulary own website to date. 

I’ve contacted Durham Constabulary and they have reassured me that although the number is to change anyone ringing the old number, as of the 1st August 2008, will be forwarded on to the new number. I’ve also contacted the Northern Echo to ensure that as many people learn of this change as quickly as possible. 

Please pass this information on to your friends and relatives; the non-emergency Police number changes from; 0845 60 60 365 to 0345 60 60 365 on the 1st August 2008, that’s this Friday!

Bellway Homes Exhibition
Bellway Homes are to hold a public exhibition this Wednesday, the 30th July, in the Harrowgate Workman’s Club, and some leaflets have already been distributed to residents.

Their schedule for submitting their planning application is targeted for the 20th August… so please, if you can, take this opportunity to scrutinise their plans and put forward your thoughts.

If you have any concerns you would like me to submit on your behalf, please do get in touch.

Letter fro Alan Milburn - Re; ARRIVA and change of their services
"In the last few weeks I have been inundated with complaints about changes to bus services made by Arriva in Darlington.  These concerns have come from people in many parts of the town, especially in the Whinfield, North Road and Harrowgate Hill areas.  Many of the people who are most affected by the changes are elderly and disabled people who rely on bus services the most.

I asked Arriva to meet with me so that I could put my constituents concerns on the table.  The meeting, which took place on Thursday 24 July, was useful and I hope productive.  Arriva acknowledged that the changes they made have revealed real concerns among the travelling public.  They assured me that they were listening carefully to those concerns.  I asked them to look again at how the new services are operating and they have agreed to do so.  Specifically, in response to many concerns about bus services in the North end of Darlington, they agreed to look at what could be done about Sunday and evening services.

Arriva have promised to come back to me as soon as possible with proposals, and when they have done so, I will come back to you.  In the meantime I will continue to raise concerns with the company.  I am very grateful to all the people, including local councillors, who have raised their concerns with me so far.  Public pressure is important in persuading Arriva to get the right bus services for the local community."

Best regards
Mark