Eston & Teesville News

21/07/2025

🚌 Calls grow to take back control of Teesside’s bus network – but Houchen says no 🛑

Cross-party councillors in Middlesbrough backed a motion calling for an end to bus deregulation, arguing that private companies have run services into the ground and left parts of the town like a “transport desert”.

Labour and Lib Dem councillors said franchising could bring better routes, cheaper fares and public control — like Andy Burnham’s model in Manchester. But Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen isn’t buying it.

He hit back saying “no one has presented a clear, costed proposal” — and he won’t raise local taxes to cover what he calls “bureaucracy with a price tag”.

So what do you think?
Time to bring our buses back under local control — or would franchising cost too much and change too little? 👇

21/07/2025

21/07/2025

💰 £200k+ for temp bosses at TVCA – value for money or a drain on public cash? 💰

Two interim officers at Tees Valley Combined Authority could cost over £200,000 each for just a year — with one paid £1,250 a day and the other £1,350 a day, plus agency fees.

TVCA says the huge cost will be covered by cutting back on legal and governance spending — but not everyone’s convinced.

The decision goes to a vote at a special cabinet meeting at Teesside Airport this Friday.

Are these roles worth the price tag — or is this just more public money down the drain? Let us know 👇

21/07/2025

🤮 Middlesbrough pa******le jailed for taking photos of kids at Tenerife pool

Convicted s*x offender Ronald Barnbrook, 73, has been jailed after secretly photographing children in swimwear — and some naked — around a hotel pool in Tenerife.

The OAP, from Park Road South, flew abroad without telling police (as he’s legally required to), and later admitted performing s*x acts over images of children.

He was jailed for 22 months at Teesside Crown Court.

21/07/2025

💻 DISGUSTING: Paedophiles Snared Across Teesside & North Yorks 💻

These vile men targeted who they thought were children online — sending sick messages, grooming, and in some cases planning to meet up for abuse.

Some were caught by police. Others were brought down by pa******le hunters posing as kids.

They came from all over our region — Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington, Scarborough — and all ended up in front of a judge.

One was a former Boro escape room owner. Another, a student at Teesside Uni. Some used fake profiles. Some sent animal abuse videos. All of them were caught.

They thought they could get away with it behind a screen. They didn’t.

🔒 Many are now behind bars.
📱 All have been exposed.
🧒 Real children were harmed in some cases.

Well done to the officers, decoys and teams who helped bring them down.

Protect our kids. Keep talking. Keep reporting.

21/07/2025

💧 What’s your thoughts on the water companies now then?

They’ve pumped raw sewage into our seas, let pipes crumble, and handed themselves fat bonuses while our bills go through the roof.

Meanwhile, we’re still swimming in sh*te off Saltburn and paying through the nose for it.

Well not anymore – the Labour government is finally stepping in and putting a stop to it.

They’re setting up a brand new water ombudsman with proper legal powers to fight for us, the customers. If your water company screws up, they’ll be forced to sort it – no more fobbing people off.

Let’s be honest – the whole system’s been a joke since it was privatised. The water companies have taken the mick for years, treating us like mugs while stuffing their shareholders' pockets.

Fair play to Labour – they’re cracking down on the lot of them. Dodgy bosses getting banned from bonuses, money from fines going into local clean-ups, and a plan to halve sewage pollution in five years.

Biggest clean-up in a generation – and about time too.

So what do you reckon – is this finally the moment these companies get what’s coming to ‘em?

👇 Let us know below

21/07/2025

🚁 Crew member airlifted after horror injury off Teesside coast

A man was airlifted to hospital in the early hours after suffering a serious hand injury on a chemical tanker anchored two miles off Sunderland.

Hartlepool RNLI launched just after midnight and reached the vessel within 40 minutes. Volunteers boarded the ship and gave emergency care before a Coastguard helicopter winched the casualty and flew him to hospital.

At the same time, another RNLI team was called to help with a separate incident at Hartlepool Headland.

RNLI bosses praised the “outstanding” commitment of volunteers – many of whom had just hours of sleep before heading straight to work.

21/07/2025

🛑 Still No Boots in Boro – Six Months and Counting 🛑

It’s been almost half a year since Boots in Middlesbrough’s Cleveland Centre shut its doors “temporarily” due to structural issues — and there’s still no sign of a reopening date.

The store closed suddenly back in January, with staff and shoppers told it was for safety reasons. Since then, customers have been redirected to a smaller temporary counter in the Hillstreet Centre, but the full health and beauty store has remained completely shut.

It’s another hit for Middlesbrough town centre, which has already seen major closures like M&S, Next and Poundland in the last year alone. With parts of Linthorpe Road sitting nearly empty, many locals are left wondering — how much longer can the town take?

No update. No timeline. No answers.

Should Boots return to the Cleveland Centre — or find a new permanent home elsewhere in the town? Let us know what you think 👇

21/07/2025

💔 Boro Legend Gazza Rushed to Hospital After Collapse 💔

Worrying news today about former Boro midfielder Paul Gascoigne, who’s been rushed to hospital after collapsing at his home in Dorset.

The 58-year-old England star is said to be in a stable condition but will stay in hospital for several days.

Gazza’s had a tough battle with alcohol and mental health over the years, but he’s still a fan favourite and a massive part of Boro’s history.

Wishing him a full recovery — get well soon, Gazza ❤️

19/07/2025

🚨 BREAKING: First union win at Teesworks! 🚨

Workers at SeAH Wind – the massive wind turbine factory on Teesworks – have just won the right to be represented by a union. 💪

GMB Union applied for recognition after SeAH refused to do it voluntarily, claiming the site wasn’t fully up and running yet. But the government’s arbitration committee sided with the workers – and now GMB will represent all hourly-paid manual staff on site.

This makes SeAH the first-ever unionised business on Teesworks.

GMB called it a “historic victory” and warned other employers on the site: union rights aren’t optional.

SeAH – which has had hundreds of millions pumped into it for green energy work – has 20 days to agree a deal.

What do you make of it? Should all Teesworks firms recognise unions? 💬

19/07/2025

🥞🌭 The long awaited Saltburn Food Festival is making its return this Sunday 27th July! 🧋🍰

Featuring around 120 stalls, this lively festival is a food lover's dream. Savoury or sweet, hot or cold - whatever you prefer, you'll be sure to find something that suits your fancy at this celebration of cuisines from all around the world.

The tramway is expected to be open as usual for those looking to take it into town or down to the beautiful beach to enjoy your treats with a coastal view.

For a closer look at the stalls, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/3GTpb5J - let us know what you're looking forward to trying the most in the comments below!

18/07/2025

⚠️ Weather warning for this weekend

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms from Friday through to Saturday, with a risk of localised surface water flooding in parts of Redcar & Cleveland and across the region.

The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation and working with councils to prepare, but if you’re out and about over the weekend – especially with school holidays starting – please do take extra care.

🚗 Avoid driving through floodwater if you come across it – it doesn’t take much to move a vehicle.

You can read more about the Rapid Flood Guidance service and how to stay safe here:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rapid-flood-guidance-2025-service-get-ready-now

Will share any further updates as I get them.