MP MICHAEL Dugher has backed the plans for a second high-speed rail line because of the potential economic benefits the project could bring to South Yorkshire.

He's also said he will always put the concerns of Barnsley residents first in seeking reassurances from the Department for Transport regarding the proposed route through Barnsley.

The maps released show that the proposed line will pass through a substantial part of Mr Dugher’s constituency of Barnsley East – going through Hoyland Common, cutting across Sheffield Rd, passing around Wombwell Wood, coming down near the Tesco store at Stairfoot, and going through the upper part of Cudworth before heading out past Royston.

"I support the HS2 project in principle because of the huge potential economic benefits it could bring to South Yorkshire and the wider region,'' he said.

"However, I will always put Barnsley residents first and there are still aspects of the route that need clarifying. I will be scrutinising the proposals carefully and seeking assurances from the Department for Transport on the precise nature of the route through Barnsley.''

WABers, did you know that a third of all house fires that South Yorkshire Fire go to are caused by dodgy electrics?

Think of all the electrical goods in your house. Washers, dryers, TVs… I can think of about 15 in mine!

South Yorkshire Fire told me that around a third of all fires that they go to in Barnsley are down to these electrical goods.

To make you more aware, they've come up with a quiz on their Facebook page for you to have a go at.

If you take part, you're automatically entered into their competition. One lucky winner will win a bundle of hi-tech goodies from Maplin Electronics worth more than £200.

Five lucky runners up each get a £10 Maplin Electronics store voucher.

To have a go, click here. 

PARENTS and carers who transport their children by vehicle to and from Burton Road Primary in Barnsley will be able to use a new car park from tomorrow.

From 11am on Wednesday, the current road access to the Wickes DIY store at Old Mill Lane will be closed and instead vehicles will be diverted to a newly-constructed access road off the roundabout on the new bypass.

This new access road will also lead to a new car park adjacent to Wickes that has been created to promote use of Dearne Valley Country Park.

Cllr Roy Miller, said: “Parents of children who attend Burton Road Primary who travel to school by car will be advised to use the country park's car park at school opening and closing times. The car park is linked to the footway on Burton Road by a new footpath which provides full pedestrian access from the car park to the school.''

Roadworks will start on widening Old Mill Lane to provide a new bus lane and signalised junction.

The estimated completion date of the A61 Wakefield Road/Burton Road work is early summer.

MORE than 160 pupils will be competing this week to launch this year's South Yorkshire School Games.

It will be held at Saint Pius X Catholic School in Wath-upon-Dearne on Thursday, January 31, from 4pm.

It is one of two stand-alone events organised for the 2013 South Yorkshire School Games, in addition to the multi-sport winter and summer finals.

Helen Marney, director of operations for South Yorkshire Sport, said: “This year we have changed the format to include two standalone events – trampolining and orienteering.“

''The trampolining qualifying events have been fantastic so we are really looking forward to seeing the pupils in action again for the finals at Saint Pius X Catholic School.”

The South Yorkshire School Games 2013 will see thousands of primary and secondary school children from across the region compete in 15 sports, including seven disability sports.

THE site of the former Royston High School is likely to be sold for £7m.

The valuation emerged in an email from a planning officer to a senior legal officer at the council which was found among documents in the planning file.

The email, dated January 11, 2013, disclosed the agreed fee for the council-owned land by Kier Property Developments - the firm that submitted plans for 143 houses, a petrol station and supermarket kiosk on the site, off Midland Road, in November.

The planning regulatory board is due to make a decision next month.

Objectors have expressed concerns over access and traffic problems.

One said: "The proposed retail offer is not welcome or required. The community is well served for shopping and fuel.''

A spokesman for Kier Property developments said that as far as he's aware no fee has been agreed.

He said: "An operator has not signed up to the site, but there is significant interest."

BARNSLEY Council has instructed its partners that are involved in the 1249 Regeneration Partnership to seek out potential funding from not only this country, but abroad too.

International funding institutions are being looked at for the investment that's needed to allow work to finally start on the long-awaited Barnsley Markets Project.

Tony Baker, the man tasked with finding investment, said: "The response has been very positive indeed. This scheme is exactly what Barnsley needs and I am confident it will be developed."

The proposed £100m redevelopment aims to bring in more shoppers - giving the town's economy a much-needed boost.

Cllr Steve Houghton says currently 60 per cent of the disposable income of Barnsley people is spent outside the borough.

"If only half of that came back into Barnsley that would be a huge increase in the number of shoppers and the amount they were all spending," he said.  

It's said that the plans will form a new central retail core for the town anchored by Debenhams department store, an Odeon seven-screen cinema, 35 retail and leisure units as well as added parking.  

BARNSLEY Council has welcomed an influential report on towns and cities in the UK.

The Centre For Cities – Cities Outlook Report 2013 shows that Barnsley is the best performing in private sector employment growth.

Cllr Linda Burgess, said: “For Barnsley to record the largest increase in private sector employment out of all the 64 main towns and cities in the UK is fantastic news and shows that even despite these challenging economic times, Barnsley is a great place to invest and grow your business.''

While nationally there was little change in private sector employment between 2010 and 2011, Barnsley saw the largest increase in this area and it tops the table with 7.2 per cent growth - against a 1.1 per cent point average nationally.

The borough is also named as having a 3.3 per cent point rise in overall employment.

When it comes to housing supply growth, Barnsley is also doing well, featuring as one of the top 10 places with the highest housing stock growth (coming third out of 63).

Cllr Burgess added: “There is a lot to be positive about in Barnsley. Business survival rates are increasing, jobs are being created, more local residents are in employment and workplace weekly pay is increasing.''

A NEW initiative has been launched in Barnsley to deal with anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.

Neighbourhood Resolutions aims to help by using local people to act as a go-to person if a problem arises. It's thought this will help to keep the peace, and stop the problem escalating further.

Police Constable Julie Oxley, Barnsley Neighbourhood resolutions Coordinator said: "Since the launch of Neighbourhood Resolutions in Barnsley, we have seen a dramatic reduction in repeat calls following work with parties who have reported neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour."

WABers, is this a good idea? Do you think this could help to keep the peace in your area? Have your say below.

BUS users in the Dearne Valley are to have their say in planning future changes and improvements to services.

Stagecoach Yorkshire is carrying out a month-long consultation with the travelling public in the area, which has seen rapid expansion in the last few years.

Recognising the area’s importance, they have introduced new buses and new service routes in the five years since the last service review.

Now, they're asking the public to come forward with their suggestions for improvements that will make services even better, with a new website to gather views and suggestions during the consultation period.

Paul Lynch, Stagecoach Yorkshire managing director, said: “We strongly believe that our customers are the people who can best advise us.''

To have your say, click here.

Paul added: “All feedback collected through this consultation will be used to shape the future Dearne Valley network.”

MP John Healey has backed moves to lower the voting age to 16.

Mr Healey said: “In this country we have 16-year-olds who can leave school, start work and pay income tax.''

He added: ''They can receive benefits and tax credits, give consent to medical treatment, become company directors, join trade unions, join the armed forces, get married and enter into civil partnerships - but yet we don't regard them as responsible enough to vote.''

WABers, what do you think? If they lowered the voting age, do you think it'd have an impact? 

THE Cooper Gallery is celebrating after a £46,600 grant.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) development grant has been awarded to help the gallery progress its plans to apply for a full grant of just under £635,000 at a later date.

The Cooper Gallery: Creating Connections project is about attracting more people through its doors. They're hoping to increase on their 50,000 annual figure in 2014 - their centenary year.

This new funding will allow the gallery to extend its spaces, restore the original entrance, and provide more voluntary opportunities.

Paul Elmhirst, chair of the Cooper Gallery trustees, said: “As well as improving the facilities of the gallery, the project will provide a focus for celebrating the centenary of the Cooper Art Gallery and the foresight of those remarkable Barnsley benefactors who made it possible.”

HOYLAND Common WMC has been hit hard after a burst water pipe ruined equipment and two rooms.

Club president Mick Whittaker, said the water came through the loft into the committee room on Saturday afternoon soaking instruments, amps, speakers and a mixing desk belonging to local band Vanquish.

It then caused the ceiling of the snooker room to give way with tiles falling from the ceiling.

Mick has been in contact with insurers and says it will cost about £35-40,000 to rectify the damage.

He said: "It was seriously coming down, it took us about an hour to get the water turned off at the mains and the water which was still upstairs had to come down."

Members managed to cover up the snooker tables to protect them but they had to pull up the carpet as it has been badly damaged.

Luckily there was a plumber next door in the concert room at a children's party who managed to step in and help out.

He had his tools with him and turned off the water supply. "That must have been divine intervention," Mick said.

BARNSLEY Hospital has been awarded £748,482 in funding from the Department of Health to improve facilities on the maternity unit.

This will allow the layout of the labour suite to be radically transformed.

Barnsley Hospital was one of three South Yorkshire hospitals awarded a share of a £25million fund to improve and upgrade maternity units across the country - and it's received the maximum amount of funding available to any one trust.

Chief Nurse Heather McNair said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded the full amount of funding available to us.''

Sue Gibson, the hospital’s head of midwifery and all her team worked extremely hard on the bid to ensure that Barnsley families could have the best birthing experience possible.

A WOMAN who donated a kidney to a work colleague is taking part in a bike ride to raise money for charity.

Katie Mason, 28, her twin sister Emma, and Kirsty Booth, 19, from Kexborough, will make the 310-mile London to Paris trip in August.

Katie, a teaching assistant at Worsbrough Common Primary, donated her kidney to Samantha White, 41, in April.

She is raising money for the Sheffield Kidney Institute, and Diabetes UK will also benefit.

The group has a target of £4,500 and have currently raised £750. Katie said they are also planning a raffle, car boot and bun sales to raise more funds. 

For more information, go here.

A LADY who was given just three days to live at 94-years-old has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Elsie Mary Holmes was told she had only days to live by doctors six years ago, after she was diagnosed with a perforated bowel.

Elsie, from Shafton, put that behind her as she celebrated at a party with family and friends on Saturday.

Originally from Derbyshire, Elsie has spent most of her life in Royston.

Her granddaughter, Joan Calton, who cared for Elsie for three years after she was diagnosed, said: "She's a remarkable woman. She's never drank and never smoked and even now she is so independent. Nothing ever gets her down - she's such a strong woman."

Elsie also received a visit from Barnsley Mayor Dorothy Higginbottom on Monday, who presented the birthday girl with a bouquet of flowers. 

BARNSLEY Council has today welcomed the government’s announcement of the route of the 250mph 'High Speed 2' to Leeds and the connectivity it will bring for residents, businesses and visitors.

The second phase of the £33bn scheme has been outlined, and the route passes through Barnsley.

The council will be looking at the proposals in detail over the coming months to understand the implications for the borough.

Will you be happy to see this high-speed service in the area?

If you're wanting to find out more, click here to visit its website.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 91-year-old man from Barnsley suffered life threatening injuries in a collision on Sunday.

At around 12.05pm on Keresforth Road in Dodworth, a black Kia Rio collided with the elderly pedestrian.

The man sustained head injuries, and is being treated at Barnsley District General Hospital.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision and in particular for the driver of a blue car parked outside the church just prior to the collision. This vehicle was not involved in the collision but the driver could hold vital information relating to this incident. Please call South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 502 of 27 January.

PLANS to create 250 jobs at a retail development in Brampton have been condemned by the council.

The plans - submitted by storage company Budenny LLP - would see a large warehouse at Cortonwood Retail Park currently used by postal service UPS redeveloped into six retail stores at a cost of £25m.

The area falls under the jurisdiction of Rotherham Council but an objection has been lodged by Barnsley Council out of concern for the effect on high streets at Wombwell and Goldthorpe as well as of Barnsley town centre.

A council spokesman said there was particular concern over how a new development would affect the 'vitality and viability' of Wombwell High Street so close to the proposed development. 

Cllr Margaret Morgan said: "I've lived in Wombwell all my life and I've seen the town centre decline with the rise of supermarkets and shopping centres - it all makes a difference. I don't want to see people who work in Wombwell now put out of work and have to chase jobs at Cortonwood."

THE Olympic effect of 2012 had an incredible impact at several Barnsley Premier Leisure sites.

Figures released show that the Metrodome received 50,062 swimmers - a huge increase of 49% on the previous year.

Since 2012 the number of gym memberships across Barnsley Leisure Centres has increased by 32% from 7,202 members to over 10,000.

Back in February 2012 the Barnsley Metrodome opened its highly anticipated £1million water park - Calypso Cove - which saw the overall visitors increase by nearly 7,000 with a footfall of 21,700 visitors during the Easter holidays.

BPL Chief Executive, Tim Wilson said:

“We have had one fantastic year in 2012. A year filled with national pride and success with the Olympics and Paralympics. We hope 2013 is just as successful and continue to offer an outstanding service to our customers”.

A THREE-year-old from Royston has become one of the youngest people to gain membership into Mensa.

Sherwyn Sarabi joined the society after taking an IQ test and scoring in the top one per cent of the population.

He took the test in September when he turned three but his family only received the results last Friday.

At the age of two he could read, use an iPad and identify all the flags and countries of the world.

Amanda, his mum, said: "He started school full time this month. The teachers have him in class with pupils his own age to improve his social skills but then he also sits in with year three (seven to eight-year-olds) pupils for some lessons as well.''

HOLOCAUST Memorial Day takes place on Sunday 27 January, and to mark the event Barnsley Central Library has arranged a special display of related resources.

Visitors to the library this week can sign a book of condolence, located alongside Holocaust-related books (fiction and non-fiction titles), film and audio resources.

The Holocaust Memorial Day display on the ground floor of the library includes Anne Frank's Diary, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Schindler's List and Karl Jenkins' The Peacemakers.

MP JOHN Healey is calling for more to be done to tackle coronary heart disease after figures revealed an above average death rate in Barnsley.

The MP is backing the ‘Heart Hotspots’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of geographic variation in heart disease and encourage people to look after their own heart health.

Yorkshire and the Humber has the second worst regional mortality rate in the country, with the number of deaths from coronary heart disease 86.63 people per 100,000. The national average is 74.21.

John said: “Some good progress has been made in our area in the last decade, but it is disappointing that there are still inequalities and quite a big heart disease problem in Barnsley.“

BARNSLEY Council are reviewing information sent in by residents as they prepare to set its budget for 2013/14.

Last month residents and local businesses were invited to give their opinions and comments on a range of savings, totalling £18.7m.

All the views received in recent weeks will be considered by councillors at its meeting on Thursday 28 February, where next year’s budget will be set.

In its April 2013 to March 2014 budget, the council needs to find savings of £18.7m out of a net budget of £206m – alongside improvements to services and business operations.

Despite these savings, the council say they're going to spend £52m on services for children, young people and families, almost £62m on adults and communities, and more than £32m on development, environment and culture.

What do you think to these figures, WABers? Where would you like to see the money go?

TONIGHT and tomorrow sees the return of the popular Last Laugh Comedy Club at the Lamproom.

Compere John Ryan, of BBC 1's A Funny Business, takes to The Lamproom's stage with comedians Alex Boardman and Dan Nightingale.

For more information, call 01226 249611.

SENSATIONAL Formal Hire have won the “Best Wedding Menswear Supplier” for the second year running at the 2013 Wedding Industry Awards.

Proprietor John Carr was presented with the award at the Bloomsbury Ballrooms in London.

Winning the award for the second consecutive year is an outstanding achievement for Sensational Formal Hire, and it's put Barnsley on the national stage once again.

BARNSLEY Council has been awarded £109,000 to help to kickstart the 'Green Deal' in the area.

The Green Deal is a national scheme that enables the installation of a range of home energy efficiency measures such as solid wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and new boilers, with no up-front cost.

The bulk of the cost of the works will be met from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This is a government requirement that the big energy companies fund that help to reduce the amount of carbon produced through heating homes.

The balance of the cost of the works will be funded through a Green Deal loan, with the loan repayments met from the resultant savings on energy bills.

To demonstrate the benefits of the Green Deal, the council's looking for a number of show homes. Households that agree to their home being used will get the opportunity to have the work carried out an at even lower cost.

The scheme, which will run until the end of March, will be focused on homeowners living in the Central, Old Town and Kingstone wards.

If you are a home owner and would like to be considered for inclusion in the scheme you can register your interest by contacting Sophie Hughes on 01226 772639 or by email to sophiehughes@barnsley.gov.uk.

TWO successful funding schemes have returned to the region for a second year.

The Young Persons Funding Pot supports youngsters across the borough, and where the money goes is decided by the young people. There's £5,000 available, although it's divided into £300 per group project to make the money spread further.

Similarly, the Berneslai 4U grant offers £300 grants to community and voluntary groups throughout the area. 

Last year saw over 120 applications for both funding pots. Successful bids funded a variety of things from a new table tennis table for a youth club, to a shelter for a bowling club.

To apply for both funding pots you can download an application form from here. The deadline for applications is 31st January 2013.

ONE thousand trees are to be planted in Barnsley.

Voluntary Action Barnsley is working in partnership with several organisations including the Woodland Trust, to plant 1,000 across the borough.

If you'd like to get involved, there will be planting events around Stairfoot on 1 February and 8 February between 10am and 3pm.

Voluntary Action Barnsley are still looking for local people and businesses to get involved, so if you can spare any time on either of these days and would like to lend a hand please contact Martin Sugden on 07446 331751.

THANKS to Barnsley Hospital’s research team a new ground-breaking drug is now available to combat strokes.

The new life-saving pill, Eliquis (Apixaban), has recently been approved by the European Medicines Agency and can be now be used for patients with an irregular heart beat to prevent a stroke.

Barnsley Hospital’s Dr Albazzaz, a stroke physician and key part of the development team for the drug, said: “Eliquis thins the blood like traditional stroke medication, but now patients can benefit from not having to undergo routine blood tests and their diets do not need to be restricted whilst using it.''   

BARNSLEY Council is set to bring in radical new plans to bring jobs to the borough.

It's been said that unemployment in Barnsley is almost double the national average for 18-24 year olds, and that the area needs 25,000 new jobs just to reach the Yorkshire and Humber average.

However, it's thought that the town could be losing out when it comes to new investment. The biggest plot currently available in Barnsley is dwarfed by a huge site in Rotherham that was recently bought by Rolls Royce - which is set to create hundreds of new jobs for local people.

A key thing that's been identified is the lack of development potential, as over 75% of the borough is classed as Green Belt.

Members of the council will hear that, in order to provide the large sites that land-hungry businesses need for their factories and other facilities, some of this might have to be made available to big investors.

The final decision on which sites will be chosen is going to be taken by the council later in the year.

What are your thoughts on this, WABers? We think it's a tricky one. Have your say below. 

A CUBLEY farm has had its request to build a 15 metre-high wind turbine turned down.

Lower Belle Clive Farm's proposal was turned down by Barnsley Council, because it was thought that the turbine would ''significantly harm the landscape in a prominent location, and would be visually intrusive''.

Are you glad Barnsley Council has stopped this? What are your thoughts on wind turbines in our rural areas? Have your say below.

MP Michael Dugher has called for the introduction of a 'Compulsory Jobs Guarantee' to tackle the high long-term unemployment figure in Barnsley.

The latest figures released today show that the total number of people claiming Jobs Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Barnsley has risen by 7.4 per cent over the last 12 months. It now stands at 7,470.

The big worry is still youth unemployment and long-term unemployment, with the figures remaining stubbornly high.

Over 500 18-24 year olds have been unemployed for more than twelve months – an increase of 85 per cent over the last year.

Commenting on the new unemployment statistics, Michael said: “The government should introduce a Compulsory Jobs Guarantee for anyone out of work for more than two years. Those who can work should do, or they would lose their benefits. We simply cannot afford to let people languish on the dole for years on end.” 

POLICE are appealing to the public to assist in identifying a woman suspected of fraud.

Having entered a sandwich shop on Redbrook Road in Gawber, she spoke to a member of staff and told them the previous day, her husband had been in the shop and had purchased a couple of items.

She stated he had paid with a £20 note, however he later realised he had not been given the correct change and was owed £10.

Even though they thought the incident strange, they gave the woman the benefit of the doubt and as a goodwill gesture, gave her the £10 she claimed her husband was owed.

On speaking to staff from two other shops on the road later in the week, they also advised a woman of the same description had been in and had given the same story.

On reporting the incident to the police, it is believed the woman may also have been into various shops in the town centre, possibly using the same story. 

The CCTV image is believed to be of this woman, and police are appealing to the public to help identify her to continue with the investigation.

Anyone who believes they know the identity of the woman is asked to call the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 459 of 13/12/2012.

A 90-YEAR-OLD was threatened with a screwdriver by an invader who stole a Jaguar, £80 and two bottles of whisky from his home.

The man, who wished to remain nameless, had left his bungalow in Darfield at about 5.30pm on Saturday to close a side gate when the intruder forced his way into the property before he could he close his back door.

He was then threatened with a screwdriver, the man's son said, and told he would not be hurt if he did what he said, adding he had been sleeping rough and needed some money.

After finding £80, the intruder made his way to the Jaguar.

The car was seen in various locations over 24 hours but was found by police abandoned on Highfield Road.

The man's son said the family believes the intruder had been attempting to gain access to the house through a window before before the man went to close his gate, as the rubber had been pulled away from one of the UPVC windows.

Police are appealing for witnesses and any information relating to the incident. Call South Yorkshire Police on non-emergency number 101 with details. 

A SURVEY has shown that 99 per cent of people who expressed an opinion think Barnsley Hospice gives a very good or excellent service.

The survey of more than 700 people showed that 61 per cent thought services were ”excellent”, 19 per cent thought they “very good”, one per cent said “satisfactory”, and the remaining 19 per cent ticked “don’t know”.

Hospice chief executive Ian Carey, said: “This shows that people who come into contact with us are happy with the service they receive. However, we are not complacent and always strive to do our very best for the people of Barnsley and we are always looking at ways of improving what we offer.”

LIBRARIES and children’s centres across the borough are preparing to celebrate Barnsley’s annual bedtime reading week.

With the theme based on the well-known children’s rhyme Five Little Monkeys Bouncing on the Bed, bedtime reading week runs from the 4-9 February in libraries across the area.

From 6.45pm on weekdays during bedtime reading week, Penistone FM (95.7 FM) will be airing bedtime stories read by people from the local community.

Cllr Jenny Platts, said: “We want to encourage families to read stories together at anytime, but cuddling up with a book at bedtime is a great way to end a busy day.”