In Brief
REPAIRS TO CLOSE ONE OF THE BUSIEST ROADS IN BRIGHTON
North Street in Brighton is due to be closed to traffic next Tuesday and Wednesday (18 and 19 September). The road is one of the busiest in Brighton but the council says that it is in urgent need of repair. The surface deteriorated so badly recently that Brighton and Hove Buses were diverted from what is a key route.
The council said that the road would close from 7am on Tuesday and added, “The council apologises in advance for the inevitable disruption this will bring, but these works are for essential safety maintenance on one of the city’s most well-used routes and bus corridors and it is not possible to carry them out without closing the road.”
Officials said that they were talking to businesses in the street to let them know about the works and liaising with bus companies to set up alternative routes. The road has been dug up a number of times in recent years. The council said that it was holding talks “with other agencies to find a long-term solution”.
MINISTER TO HELP CELEBRATE BRIGHTON’S DIGITAL SUCCESS
A House of Commons reception is being held to celebrate the creative and digital sectors in Brighton and Hove today (Tuesday). Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, is expected to attend.
The lunchtime reception is being hosted by Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion (above), and is sponsored by Wired Sussex and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It coincides with the Brighton Digital Festival which takes place throughout September. More than 100 events are scheduled.
One event taking place on Wednesday 12 September is Kids’ Code Club. The workshop is designed to show children aged 6 to 16 how to programme a computer using a free tool called Scratch. Parents are also welcome at the event which runs from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at the Dyke Road offices of Cogapp, the digital marketing firm.
More information can be found at 2012. brightondigitalfestival.co.uk
MENCAP REPORTS BIG SURGE IN CALLS TO CHARITY’S HELPLINE
Mencap has reported a 139 per cent surge in calls to its helplines from people with a learning disability and their families. Most of the calls were about community care assessments, personal budget advice and whether people were eligible for help and support.
Welfare reforms and rule changes are prompting concern among many of the callers. Mencap said that it had merged its helplines into one freephone helpline to provide information on services which are available to people with a learning disability. The number is 0808 808 1111.
Advice is available on employment and housing support, as well as a range of issues including social care, abuse, bullying and health. And specialist helpline advisers can also offer guidance on personal budgets and support plans.
The charity’s office in Brighton and Hove said that an estimated 5,320 people in the city have a learning disability. More than 800 receive support from Brighton and Hove City Council to help them live as independently as possible, with more than 250 living in residential care homes.
