News

CrossCountry launches industry-first digital Priority Seating Card to support accessible travel

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry, which runs services through Long Eaton Railway Station as well as regionally, has launched an industry-first digital Priority Seating Card, making it easier for customers who need additional support to discreetly communicate that they require a priority seat onboard. The initiative, complements existing physical priority seating cards available across the rail industry, ensuring customers can choose the format that works best for them. Speaking about the new card, Accessibility Manager, Sam Mather said that it offered […]

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Elise Chabbey in the Mountains. Tour de France Femmes generic image. Image from A.S.O & Pauline Ballet via the EMCCA.

Cycling

International cycling race coming to Derbyshire next year could leave multi-million-pound economic “legacy”

An international cycling race coming to Derbyshire next year could leave a multi-million-pound economic “legacy”, it is hoped. The Tour de France Femmes, a women’s international cycling race, will host its “Grand Depart” in the UK next summer, with an extensive 130km journey through Derbyshire on July 31, 2027. This will involve elite riders peddling up notoriously steep and challenging cycling routes, Winnats Pass and Snake Pass, for a total of 3,000 metres of uphill climbing. At an East Midlands […]

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Derbyshire

Fears of neighbours stealing recycling during discussion over Government plans for extra charges and refunds for recycling

Neighbours could resort to stealing each other cans and bottles, a Derbyshire councillor has jokingly warned during a discussion on plans for extra charges and refunds for recycling. An impending Government scheme set to be rolled out next October will see people charged 20p extra for cans and bottles, as a “deposit”, that they can get refunded by returning them. These will be returned at “reverse vending machines” likely to be stationed at large supermarkets and other businesses. A Derbyshire […]

22 July 2026 77

Derby

Heartbroken father backs cycle lane plan

A new cycle lane close to the spot where a young woman was killed is one step closer to reality – and has the backing of her heartbroken father. Keen cyclist Josephine Gilbert was killed when hit by a lorry on the A52 Ashbourne Road, near Markeaton Island, in January 2020. Ms Gilbert, who was living in Derby at the time and had competed in cycling events at local, national and international level, suffered catastrophic head injuries in the collision […]

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News

Children dropping off NHS orthodontic waiting lists, going without treatment due to long waiting lists

Hundreds of thousands of children are waiting for NHS orthodontic assessments, but what happens when your child either doesn't qualify for treatment or faces a lengthy wait? The latest statistics published in the British Dental Journal show that over 350,000 children were waiting for an NHS orthodontic assessment in England, over 220,000 had been waiting longer than 18 weeks and over 140,000 had been waiting more than 52 weeks. The longest recorded wait was 6.6 years and only one Integrated […]

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Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Derby

Inflation easing to 2.6% encouraging for business

The East Midlands Chamber has said pressure on firms will be alleviated slightly as inflation reached its lowest level since March 2025. The latest estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics covers the 12 months to June 2026, down from 2.8% in May. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “With our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 of 2026 having shown inflation to be the greatest concern of East Midlands firms and forecasts from economists […]

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Nathan Grant (Credit: Derbyshire Police)

Long Eaton

Man who assaulted, threatened and harassed partner is jailed

A man who assaulted, threatened and harassed his partner has been jailed. Nathan Grant was on licence having been released from prison for a previous violent offence when he committed the offences against the woman. Police were called after Grant assaulted the woman by punching her in the ribs, arms and legs before grabbing her by the throat and squeezing until she couldn’t breathe. She was left with a broken arm and afterwards Grant made comments to her over the […]

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Derbyshire

Reform Derbyshire council dismisses recommendation to restore opposition Tory leader’s reduced allowance

Derbyshire County Council’s Reform UK administration has dismissed an independent panel’s recommendation to restore the opposition Conservative Leader’s Special Responsibility Allowance after the council had previously won a vote to reduce it by £6,280 for the current financial year. The controlling Reform UK councillors deployed their majority to win a vote at a full council meeting on July 15 to uphold the reduction to opposition Conservative Group Leader Cllr Alex Dale’s SRA despite the recent findings of an Independent Remuneration […]

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Ilkeston

SUMMER KIDZ: Parents spend hundreds on days out during Summer Holidays but kids prefer FREE activities in nature

Two thirds of parents feel pressure to take kids on expensive sightseeing trips/days out, yet three quarters say kids experience as much wonder looking at mundane, free sights, such as an algae-covered ponds Rather than expensive tourist attractions, children are more likely to be interested in everyday sights such as nature and animals With schools breaking up for the summer holidays, parents will spend an average of £400 per child on action-packed days trying to keep their kids entertained. But […]

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