North East news RECAP: John Dobson Street in Newcastle reopens after crash involving bus

Good night

That’s it from me today - we’ll be back with live news updates tomorrow morning.

Top news stories

Here are the most read news stories on our website at the moment

1. Old St James’ Park sign saved from being scrapped - and now NUFC fans can bid to take it home

2. Prisoner who mugged 87-year-old gran suffered ‘shock’ heart attack and collapsed onto snooker table

3. John Dobson Street in Newcastle reopens RECAP: Updates after bus hits pedestrian in city centre

4 Man charged after air ambulance called to stabbing near Peterlee town centre

5 Axe-wielding raiders stormed sports club and snatched £21,000 of Bonfire Night takings

What about tomorrow?

Here’s what the Met Office have forecast for the North East on Tuesday:

Sunny but icy to start. Isolated showers developing during the afternoon, falling as hail, sleet or snow. Cold and clear inland overnight, some wintry showers continuing near the coast. Maximum temperature 4 °C.

Tonight's weather forecast

A reminder that there is a Met Office yellow weather warning for ice in the North East from midnight tonight until 12noon tomorrow.

Here’s what the forecaster is predicting tonight:

Windy this evening ahead of a band of rain, sleet and hill snow pushing eastwards across all parts. Clearer and colder conditions follow later with a risk of widespread ice. Minimum temperature -3 °C.

Monkseaton micropub opens

An empty shop in Monkseaton has been transformed into the area’s latest micropub by a first-time entrepreneur.

James Benson has launched the Front Street Tap House after combining his love of rum and real ale with a mission to be his own boss, putting significant investment into converting the unit into a traditional pub.

The micropub, at 17b Front Street, is Mr Benson’s first venture, having decided to take control of his own destiny after he was made redundant from customer service roles.

Now he hopes the tap house will become a popular addition to the coastal ‘beer-muda triangle’ of the Left Luggage Room in Monkseaton, and the Dog and Rabbit and Nord Bottle Shop in Whitley Bay, having already been welcomed by fellow micropub operators around the North East.

Full story here.

North could have say in Brexit

Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed to consult “regional representatives” as she struggles to draw up a Brexit withdrawal agreement that MPs are willing to accept.

With fewer than 10 weeks to go until the UK leaves the EU on March 29, Mrs May told the House of Commons that she was still hoping to convince the EU to accept a Brexit plan that MPs were wiling to vote for.

And she announced that she would be talking to the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, before adding: “We will also look for further ways to engage elected representatives from Northern Ireland and regional representatives in England.

“Finally, we will reach out beyond this House and engage more deeply with businesses, civil society and trade unions.”

The announcement received a mixed response, with Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell pointing out that she had urged the Prime Minister to do this almost two years ago.

Full story here.

Ant and Dec bookies' favourite to win best presenter prize

Ant and Dec are the bookies’ favourite to win the best presenter prize at the National Television Awards, despite Ant barely being on screen in the past year.

The Geordie duo have won the award 17 years in a row, having dominated ITV’s prime time schedule with shows like Britain’s Got Talent and I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.

This year, they face competition from Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Graham Norton and Phillip Schofield.

Paddy Power has listed Ant and Dec as 5/4 favourites to win the award again , even though Ant was absent throughout most of 2018, following his drink driving conviction in April.

The former Byker Grove star stepped away from cameras to focus on recovery. Dec, 43, continued to work, with Holly Willoughby stepping in for Ant on I’m a Celebrity.

Dermot O’Leary, who will present Tuesday’s NTAs, has said other presenters “may as well chuck in the towel” if Ant and Dec win their 18th consecutive best presenter prize.

Ant and Dec are now back at work together, having reunited last week to film a new Britain’s Got Talent series.

Read more here.

Second referendum could damage 'social cohesion'

Theresa May has warned that a second EU referendum could “damage social cohesion”, as she set out plans to find a Brexit deal which could win parliamentary support.

The Prime Minister said she would conduct further talks on the controversial Brexit backstop, and promised to give Parliament “a proper say” in negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and EU.

In a statement to the Commons, Mrs May acknowledged that last week’s emphatic rejection of her Withdrawal Agreement by MPs meant that the Government’s approach to Brexit had to change. And she insisted that it had.

She announced she was scrapping a £65 fee for EU nationals wanting to remain in the UK after Brexit, promised to guarantee workers’ rights and environmental safeguards and said she would continue talks to find “the broadest possible consensus” on the way forward.

Labour put down an amendment to the Government’s Brexit motion which party leader Jeremy Corbyn said was aimed at preventing a no-deal withdrawal from the EU.

Samaritans handing out teabags at Central Station

It’s supposed to be the most miserable day of the year.

But volunteers are hoping this ‘Blue Monday’ could be the day when a simple conversation changes a life for the better.

Volunteers from the Samaritans charity, which offers a confidential phoneline for anyone who needs to talk, descended on Newcastle Central station with an unusual gift for commuters.

Handing out teabags to people on the platforms, they hoped to encourage people to sit down with friends, family or workmates to have a cup of tea and a real, proper chat.

Full story here.

Brexit latest

Labour former minister Yvette Cooper has published a Bill that would give MPs a vote to prevent a no-deal Brexit scenario.

The European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 3) Bill, which has cross-party backing, gives Prime Minister Theresa May until February 26 to get parliamentary approval for a withdrawal agreement.

A spokesman for Ms Cooper said: “If the Government fails, then Parliament would be given a vote on Article 50 extension to prevent no deal.

“The Bill ensures that the Government would have to give Parliament a binding vote on whether and for how long to seek an extension to Article 50 if there is no deal, mandating the Government to implement whatever Parliament decides.

“It gives Parliament the opportunity to vote on or amend a nine-month extension.” The Bill will be presented by Ms Cooper, and among others, Tory MPs Nicky Morgan and Nick Boles.”

Axe-wielding raiders stormed sports club

Axe-wielding robbers stormed a sports club and snatched Bonfire Night takings in a terrified armed raid.

Organisers were in the female changing rooms counting up thousands of pounds of takings from a fireworks display when two men burst in carrying weapons and demanding money.

Shocked staff at Blue Flames, in Benton, North Tyneside, were powerless to prevent Dean Wilkinson and his accomplice making off with more than £20,000.

But the robbers were then chased into a nearby housing estate, leaving a trail of stolen notes as they went and after being caught hiding out in bushes, Wilkinson was arrested.

Now the 28-year-old, who claimed he had been offered work at the event only to turn up and be told by the other man the job was a robbery, has been locked up for three years.

Read the full story from court here.

Friends rally around Carter Cookson's parents

Friends of Carter Cookson’s parents are raising money to give the heartbroken couple time to “just be with each other” after they lost their son.

Carter, who was born prematurely on Boxing Day, died at 5.44pm on Saturday, his mum Sarah Cookson said.

She and her husband Chris, from South Shields, took to Facebook in the days after Carter’s birth in the hope of finding him an organ donor that could have saved him.

The couple had already been through the heartbreak of losing their first son Charlie, who died aged two in 2013, which led them to set up a charity.

Now, parents of pupils who attend Sarah Cookson’s dance school have clubbed together to find prizes for a raffle to support the couple.

Full story here.

A1 crash cleared

Traffic is now easing after an earlier crash involving one lorry and two cars on the A1 Western Bypass Northbound near J66 A167 Durham Road (Bowes Incline Angel Of The North)

A19 update

The broken down vehicle on the slip road has been removed

Broken down vehicle on A19 slip road at Sunderland

The A19 Southbound exit slip road is partially blocked and there is traffic congestion due to a broken down vehicle at the A690 Durham Road (Herrington Interchange).

A1 Gateshead crash update

Lanes one and two (of three) were closed between Gateshead and Durham - all restrictions were lifted around 19:00.

Traffic is still queueing due to an earlier crash involving one lorry and two cars on the A1 Western Bypass Northbound near J66 A167 Durham Road (Bowes Incline Angel Of The North).

Thousands raised in memory of footballer Robbie Livermore

An online fundraising page has been set up to help a popular footballer’s family following his tragic death.

Robbie Livermore, who played for clubs including Whitley Bay, North Shields, West Allotment and Percy Main, died last week.

Since then, hundreds of people, including former team-mates, managers, supporters and fans have been paying tribute to him, describing him as a “footballing legend” and “the life and soul of any dressing room”.

Now, his friends have started a JustGiving donation page to support his family during this difficult time.

A target of £3,000 was set but more than £2,000 has been donated by well-wishers within two days.

Read more here.

On the roads

• A167(M) Northbound entry slip road clear, traffic easing, accident cleared at A193 New Bridge Street
  
• Two lanes are closed and traffic is queueing traffic due to a crash involving one lorry and two cars on the A1 Western Bypass Northbound near J66 A167 Durham Road (Bowes Incline Angel Of The North). Congestion to J62 Carville A1M northbound. Lanes one and two (of three) closed between Gateshead and Durham.
  
• Slow traffic due to accident on A68 High Street at B6297 Wolsingham Road
  
• Slow traffic on A695 Tyne Street Eastbound at B6317 Bridge Street (Blaydon Roundabout). In the roadworks area. Due to a lane closure near the roundabout.
  
• Slow traffic on A690 Leazes Road at A691 Framwelgate Peth (The Gates Roundabout).
  

A19 northbound now open

The driver has been taken to hospital with burns

Brexit uncertainty's 'negative impact' on Port of Sunderland

Uncertainty around Brexit could see a dip in trade at the Port of Sunderland, councillors have heard.

In recent months, the port has seen huge investment to help it expand its offering to the region’s automotive sector alongside securing contracts with offshore renewable energy firms.

Investment has also included a huge new Liebherr LHM 420 crane to boost operations on the site.

On January 17, Sunderland City Council’s scrutiny co-ordinating committee heard business competition and the unknown outcome of Brexit was having a “negative impact”.

A budget report, presented to councillors, said Brexit was “impacting upon the willingness of companies to invest and trade significant volumes of cargoes” at the port.

Read more here.

Central Motorway cleared

All lanes are open

Central Motorway crash

On the slip road from the A193

Update on A1 crash near Gateshead

Two lanes are closed and traffic is queueing traffic due to a crash involving one lorry and two cars on the A1 Western Bypass Northbound near J66 A167 Durham Road (Bowes Incline Angel Of The North). Congestion to J62 Carville A1M northbound.
Lanes one and two (of three) closed between Gateshead and Durham.

A1 bypass cleared

All lanes have been reopened but traffic is still slow due to an earlier broken down vehicle on the A1 Western Bypass southbound near J79 A1056 (Gosforth Park). ane one (of two) was blocked until 17:30.

Bus delays

Allow extra time if you can

A19 likely to face disruption for several hours

Motorists are being warned of delays after the A19 was closed following a lorry fire.

Traffic rapidly backed up as far as Middlesbrough after smoke was seem billowing across the road.

Inrix traffic service reported: “The A19 in both directions is closed. Stationary traffic due to lorry fire and smoke blowing across the road from the A174 (Middlesbrough) to the A67 (Crathorne Junction, Crathorne).”

Read more here.

A1 crash

The A1 Western Bypass Northbound is partially blocked, and traffic is queueing due to a crash involving one lorry and two carsd at J66 A167 Durham Road .

Part of A19 closed due to lorry fire

Another incident to be aware of

Broken down vehicle on A1

Expect delays near Seaton Burn

Metro disruption this weekend

Metro passengers are being warned to expect disruption this weekend - including the day Newcastle United take on Watford at St James’ Park.

The FA Cup fourth round match will kick off at 3pm on Saturday - and it clashes with modernisation work scheduled to take place on the Metro network.

There will be no trains between St James and Tynemouth all day on Saturday, until around 6.30pm, as well as on Sunday.

A replacement bus, number 900, will be calling at stations on the affected route.

The work is part of a £350m programme and involves the replacement of overhead lines.

Read more here.