Major Road Improvements, Tribute to Robert, City Ground Expansion & More

Happy Monday to you all and I hope you had a great weekend.

Monday morning has come around fast again, it's time to grab a brew, open the rich tea, put the phone on silent and kick back for 10 - enjoy a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.

Todays Quote for the day - "The secret of being a bore is to tell everything." — Voltaire

Justin Doddy, Editor

P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter if you haven't already and please forward the newsletter to a friend that you think may like it, especially those that may not be on social media.

NOTTS: MPs issue joint statement on City Ground expansion

By: Joseph Connolly, LDRS

Nottingham’s MPs have issued a joint statement on the proposed expansion of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, Nottingham North and Kimberley MP Alex Norris and Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood published the words online on Thursday, September 3, setting out their stance on the plans.

And in positive news for Forest fans in terms of the expansion getting over the line after years of negotiations and complications, all three said they support the plans, which include boosting the stadium’s capacity from around 31,100 to around 52,500.

The statement says:

“We support Nottingham Forest Football Club’s redevelopment plans for the City Ground. This is a historic opportunity to celebrate and preserve our city’s proud heritage as home to a world-famous club, while boosting our local economy and creating well-paid, unionised jobs.

“The case for a bigger stadium has been clear for years: six consecutive seasons of sold-out games have meant that many thousands of local fans cannot see their team play on home turf, including a whole new generation of young supporters.

“Greater capacity will enable NFFC to host major international matches in future tournaments, strengthening our visitor economy by firmly putting Nottingham back on the map as a legendary football city.”

Plans to expand the City Ground date back to 2019, but have only gained real traction since the club was promoted back to the Premier League in 2022.

Planning permission for a previous version of the proposals was granted in summer last year but the club then unveiled a new and improved vision in December.

This summer has seen the plans gain the most momentum they have in a long time, with a new “transport strategy” and “transport plan” setting out how the club expects the stadium upgrade to impact roads in the vicinity, and how the impact could be mitigated, which was submitted to planning authority Rushcliffe Borough Council.

The club has also submitted plans for a new club shop, proposed the permanent closure of two lanes on Trent Bridge to benefit pedestrian spectators on matchdays, agreed to contribute millions towards local infrastructure and confirmed it will rename the Bridgford plaza after a historic player, all within the past month.

Furthermore, a provisional “approval date” for the plans, of September 16, has now been agreed between the club and the council, after Forest originally hoped to have the green light by May so work could begin in summer.

The MPs will hope their statement goes further to reassuring Rushcliffe Borough Council that they are on the same page as everyone else willing the huge project to go ahead.

The statement also made reference to May’s announcement that the East Midlands Combined Authority will promote the area around the City Ground as the “Trent Sports District”, with the new stadium acting as its marquee project.

It says:

“We were particularly excited to hear Mayor Claire Ward describe these proposals as integral to a wider development of a Trent Sports District. Sports investment is vital to improving community cohesion and wellbeing.

“We recognise the importance of addressing the transport demands associated with an expanded stadium and trust partners will work together to agree a solution that works for everyone.”

Have Your Say on the Future of Rhodesia

Residents across Rhodesia are already sharing their views through our community survey. Have you had your say yet?

Bassetlaw District Council want to hear what you love about living in Rhodesia, what you think could be improved, and your views on a range of proposed local projects developed by the Parish Council.

Your feedback is vital in helping Bassetlaw District Council focus on the projects and priorities that matter most to local residents. Join the conversation and help shape the future of your community.

⏰ The survey closes on Wednesday 30 September, so don't miss the opportunity to have your voice heard.

✅ Complete the survey here: Take the Rhodesia Community Survey

Content courtesy of Bassetlaw District Council.

Mum's tribute to 'beautiful' boy after Newark collision

A heartbroken mum has paid tribute to her four-year-old son who died after a collision in Newark.

Police were called to Churchill Drive at 6pm on Sunday (30 August) following a collision between an off-road motorbike and a car.

Robert Henry Steele, who was a passenger on the motorbike, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the incident, Robert Henry's family is being supported by specialist officers.

His mum, Tilly Robinson, has released the following tribute to her son:

"My beautiful boy was tragically taken from us on Sunday.

"Robert Henry was my pride and joy and my heart will be forever broken.

"Myself, his little brother, Ronny-Boy, and all our family will never forget Robert Henry and we will make sure his memory lives on in all that we do.

"He may have only had four precious years with us but he was such a big character, full of love, big smiles and cheeky charm.

"We would like to thank all the emergency services and members of public present at the scene who helped my boy, Robert Henry."

A 24-year-old man, who was riding on the same bike as Robert Henry, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The man suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital.

The bike was travelling in convoy with a second bike, whose rider left the scene before officers' arrival.

Investigations led to 32-year-old Brian Cameron, of Chatsworth Road, Newark, being charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and causing death by driving while uninsured and unlicensed.

He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (2 September) and will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 30 September 2026.

Content courtesy of Nottinghamshire Police

More than 20 major road improvement schemes planned across Nottinghamshire this September

Key A-road resurfacing projects continue as surface dressing and micro asphalt programmes reach more than 200 sites across the county.

Residents, road users and businesses across Nottinghamshire will continue to see significant investment in the county's roads this September, with more than 20 major resurfacing and machine-lay patching schemes planned as part of Nottinghamshire County Council's record £181.25 million Highway Capital Maintenance Programme.

Working alongside our highways partner Via East Midlands, we have published the month-ahead programme of planned roadworks for September, highlighting major improvement works on key routes across the county, alongside the continued delivery of countywide surface dressing and micro asphalt programmes.

Across Nottinghamshire, the September programme includes twenty-four major resurfacing and machine-lay patching schemes, covering strategically important routes and local roads that form part of the council's long-term approach to maintaining and improving the highway network.

Among the headline schemes are resurfacing works on both the northbound and southbound stretches of the A57 Worksop Bypass, the A60 Doncaster Road corridor in Langold and Carlton in Lindrick, the A60 Mansfield Road through Ravenshead and Arnold, the A60 Loughborough Road and Mere Way Roundabout in Ruddington, and further major works at the A6009 Rosemary Street and A38 Stockwell Gate junction in Mansfield. A significant machine-lay patching scheme is also planned on the A610 Kimberley and Eastwood Bypass, while works will take place on the A1133 Besthorpe Road in Collingham.

The September programme will be delivered alongside the countywide surface dressing and micro asphalt programmes, which continue across more than 200 sites throughout Nottinghamshire. These preventive maintenance treatments help extend the life of the highway by retexturing road surfaces, preventing water ingress, and reducing the formation of potholes and cracks. As both programmes remain weather-dependent, residents are encouraged to check the latest information online before travelling.

In addition to the major schemes, highways teams and the council's JCB Pothole Pro machines will continue to carry out patching and localised repairs on roads across the county, helping to address defects and improve road conditions for local communities. Planned patching works are scheduled in locations including Sutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Mansfield, Hucknall, Watnall, Stapleford, Gedling, Carlton, Widmerpool, Gotham, Gonalston and a number of villages across Newark and Sherwood.

Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

“Our summer surface dressing programme continues to make good progress, with micro-surfacing works also set to continue. More than 150 roads across the county will be treated between now and autumn. As schedules can change due to weather conditions, residents are encouraged to check the Notts Highways website for the latest information.

“This year's record highways investment has enabled us to tackle more roads than ever before. By the end of July we had delivered nearly 100 road surface improvement schemes and we will complete hundreds more by the end of the year.

“I'd like to thank residents in advance for their patience and understanding while these works are carried out."

All improvements form part of the record investment in the 2026/27 Highway Capital Maintenance Programme, which is delivering essential maintenance, resurfacing and infrastructure improvements across Nottinghamshire to help keep roads safe, reduce congestion and support long-term transport efficiency.

Via East Midlands will continue to run its year-round programme of preventative maintenance, including cleansing highway gullies and drains, tree inspections and surface repairs.

Residents can find the latest information on roadworks, surface dressing and micro asphalt programmes on the Notts Highways website, with updates provided regularly to reflect any changes due to weather or operational requirements.

September programme at a glance:

24 major resurfacing and machine-lay patching schemes

200+ sites in the surface dressing and micro asphalt programmes

£181.25m Highway Capital Maintenance Programme

Content courtesy of Nottinghamshire County Council

NOTTS: Notts companies who paid employees less than minimum wage named and shamed.

By Joseph Connolly, LDRS

Companies who did not pay their employees minimum wage have been named and shamed by the government.

A total of 660 businesses were listed, with 15 of those being based in Nottinghamshire.

The government has published a list since 2011 in order to “hold bosses to account”.

Since then more than £100m in penalties have been issued to more than 5,200 companies nationwide, with £66m worth of unpaid wages being paid back to approximately 650,000 employees in that time.

Natioanlly, B&Q was the worst offender, owing more than £450,000 to more than 4,500 members of staff.

Five Guys, owing £54,642.27 to 3,699 staff, and Merlin Cinemas, owing £50,198.75 to 181 workers, were also high up the list.

A number of hospitals and healthcare companies were also in the top 10.

The minimum wage for 2026-2027 is £12.71 for those over 21, £10.85 for those aged 18 to 20, and £8 for under-18s and apprentices.

Below are the top five worst offenders in Nottinghamshire.

Jigsaw Homecare Ltd, Mansfield Woodhouse

Jigsaw Homecare, based in Mansfield Woodhouse, provides services such as companionship, housekeeping, medication administration and dementia care to vulnerable people in their own homes.

But it had by far the most concerning record for underpaying staff in Nottinghamshire, according to government figures.

It failed to pay a total of £32,069.77 to 80 workers.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached Jigsaw Homecare for comment but had not heard back by the time of publication.

PerfectPays Ltd, trading as TapGo

PerfectPays Ltd described itself as a “leading payment services provider located in the United Kingdom.”

The business was registered to an address on Annesley Road in Hucknall but a wind-up order was issued on September 22, 2025, by the High Court of Justice, meaning the business was to be liquidated.

It was run by a Mr Sadha Karpa Ram Singh Gangotra.

Details of its operation are scarce online, but Companies House lists its nature of business as “Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet” and “Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified”.

It failed to pay £19,663.44 to eight workers.

Ms Media Muhialdeen Abdulla, trading as Redhill Car Wash

Redhill Car Wash, on Mansfield Road near the Ram Inn, is a hand car wash service.

It boasts a rating of 4.1 stars out of five on Google from 302 Google reviews.

But it failed to pay £17,018.27 to nine workers. It did not return a request for comment.

Bethell & Shepherd Plumbing & Heating

NG4-based Bethell and Shepherd Plumbing & Heating covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas and has a flawless five-star rating on trustatrader.com.

But it was listed as having failed to pay £8,715.86 to five workers.

The business’s owner disputed its inclusion on the list but offered no further comment.

Northgate Fast Food Ltd, trading as Taco Bell

Northgate Fast Food Ltd, registered to an address in Sheffield but having business interests in Nottingham, was incorporated in 1993 and appears to be a franchisee of Taco Bell restaurants in the UK, including one in Bradford and one in Darlington.

Northgate was included on the government’s list of businesses as having failed to pay £7,926.25 to 115 workers.

A Taco Bell representative said that it would not be providing a comment.

Thanks so much for reading our local newsletter and for supporting us. We’re committed to providing Bassetlaw with the quality local news service it deserves, but sustaining this work may come with some challenges. Our team is currently discussing how to make Bassetlaw Today financially viable in the long term, and one option we’re considering is introducing a subscription model to help cover our costs.

We want to be open with you about these conversations so you’re aware that a fee may need to be introduced in the future. If that happens, we hope you’ll continue to stand with us and support the publication.

Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.

Justin Doddy, Editor