Drivers and their problems

Drivers and their problems 

The 12cm reason it is harder to get out of your car now

40% of drivers have reported the problem

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/12cm-reason-harder-out...

We're closing this road (one of four that goes north from Salisbury) for 3 months so that some time in the future cars on the A303 might be able to go 15 minutes faster.  

Have I got that right? 

Salisbury Chamber of Commerce calls for A360 closure to be suspended

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/24227126.salisbury-chamber-comme...

REMINDER: Section of A360 to be closed from TODAY

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/24215154.section-a360-soon-close...

Letter: A360 closure blows mind of Salisbury taxi driver

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/24231979.letter-a360-closure-blo...

A360 closure 'premature and could waste more public money'

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/24234614.a360-closure-premature-...

Mum goes to court over parking fine and judge tells firm to pay her

Not only does Jamie not have to pay the £300 fine, the company that tried to charge her has to pay her expenses

Jamie parked near a hospital in Liverpool in September 2021 for a personal medical appointment, but found the machine was broken. She instead bought a ticket over the phone and received a “parking accepted for two hours” text message.

But when Jamie came out of the hospital, she was told her parking had not been “validated” because she didn’t put in her number plate, she claims. She said she wasn't asked to do this until 12 minutes after receiving the "accepted" text - and didn't notice until it was too late.

She called customer services but there was no option to speak to a person, she claims. She was put through to an automated system which “hung up” instead, she said.

The parking firm's lawyers failed to attend the hearing.

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/mum-goes-court-over-...

Couple devastated as £12k Nissan destroyed in floods

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24242324.couple-devastated-12k-nissan-d...

The tide was high in Southampton the other night, so leaving it in the underground car park sounds like a great plan. 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24239602.flood-warnings-across-hampshir...

If only there had've been some warning, and if only they lived within striking distance of some major public transport node that might be able to help them with getting to Eastleigh and Basingstoke for their jobs, but I guess that's car dependency for you. 

that gal's borrowing trouble, my old nan would have said:

Lidl mum fears £10 shopping trip might cost £100 due to parking fine

Lidl has brought in new parking rules - but not everyone who visits the store has been alerted

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/lidl-mum-fears-10-shopping-921...

Dog walkers upset after King's Wood in Challock destroyed by “joyriders”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/disgust-as-beauty-spot-torn-to...

Villagers fume over ‘ridiculous’ new parking charges in School Lane car park in Herne

Also peeved by the increase is church warden for St Martin’s in Herne, Priscilla Cox, who says church-goers are now fretting about the fees and being landed with a ticket.

“There are some very large gatherings for things like weddings and funerals, and the car park is vital,” she said.

“But it is even affecting things like our coffee mornings, with parishioners saying they can’t stay too long because it’s too expensive to park. It’s completely unreasonable and should be reconsidered.”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/herne-bay/news/new-car-park-charges-are-so-...

Pay up, whingers. 

Entirely a product of cars:

Police tell Exmoor residents 'report suspicions early' to help prevent illegal raves

The concerns follow an Easter weekend when thousands of people descended on two raves near Luxborough and Dunkery Beacon, disturbing residents with loud music, blocking roads with parked cars, and using livestock fields for toilets.

https://www.wsfp.co.uk/news/police-tell-exmoor-residents-report-suspicio...

Warning after objects to puncture tyres found in Droitwich

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24242475.warning-objects-puncture-t...

Tianqin10th April 6:47 PM
User ID: 793122
Could be the extreme green anti car movement?

Last Updated: 2 hrs ago

Report
1

FrostyJack pinning10th April 6:53 PM
User ID: 3935744
Not the first time this has been reported locally in this rag. the public are obviously tlaking matters into their own hands becasue of police non action over the local raod being used as a race track by gaybo racers keeping people awake at night

Last Updated: 10th April 9:50 PM

You can't have somewhere to live because I want to drive and park my car (and go to my GP and talk about nothing).  Also, isn't it terrible that all the shops in Ledbury are closing down - something should be done.

New Herefordshire housing 'would makes problems worse'

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24246277.new-herefordshire-housing-wo...

Cyclists should be made to pay road tax latest: 

Revealed: Just one in four ULEZ fines paid in Kent since London Mayor’s controversial expansion

Now, a KentOnline freedom of information request to TfL exclusively reveals only a quarter of fines dished out to motorists with vehicles registered in the county [of Kent] have been paid in the first two quarters it has been operational."

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/hormonal-pregnant-woman-who...

Pic: useful public service being performed here, reminding any owners of dinosaur cars that they are crossing into Greater London. 

Warning issued after spate of Land Rover thefts in the Cotswolds

Gloucestershire Police said three vehicles have been stolen in the area this week and are urging people to remain vigilant

when the things you thought you owned in fact own you:  helpful advice -

• Storing your key fob, and any spares, inside a car key signal blocker pouch such as a faraday pouch or box.
• Considering using more traditional crime prevention methods such as a steering wheel lock or clamp, use of CCTV and security lighting.
• Some keys can have the wireless signal turned off - look inside your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer
• Parking defensively by going near to a wall or by using another car to block it in, or park in the garage if you have one.

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/warning-issue...

Calling all snitches (whom no one likes), grasses and copper's narks :

Investigating officers from Gloucestershire Police are appealing for information on the spate of thefts. They said in a public appeal: "Anyone with any information which might be able to help the investigations can contact Gloucestershire Constabulary by calling 101 and quoting incident 83 of 12 April or by completing the following online form.

From the comments page: 

Evoquery1995 : IF THOSE TIRE EXTINGUSHERS SO MUCH AS LOOK AT MY CAR ILL TARE THEM A NEW ONE I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS 

Preventing car and vehicle theft

This link turned out be more interesting than I was expecting - is either of these really a thing in Gloucestershire? 

https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicl...

3. Be aware of carjackers

The fact that you’re in the car isn’t always a deterrent to someone trying to steal it.

In traffic, drive with the doors locked and when queuing leave enough space in front of your vehicle to enable you to get out of a tight spot. If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over – somewhere safe and preferably where there are people. After all, you don’t know the person who has collided with you; they could well be hijackers. If you’re at all suspicious, consider calling the police.

If someone threatens you, it’s better to hand over the keys to the vehicle than become a victim of assault. Then call 999 as soon as possible, and ask for the police.

If your car is stolen, some modern vehicle alarm and tracker systems have the facility to isolate or shut down fuel systems, bringing the vehicle to a halt and leaving the thief high and dry.

5. Watch for illegal tow trucks

Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street, literally. So, if you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously – especially if their vehicle isn’t branded or if they’re not in uniform – then please report it immediately.

As with every report of suspicious behaviour made in good faith, we’ll never blame anyone for calling us if it proves unfounded.

Car parks with height-restricted entrances help prevent illegal tow trucks and removal vehicles. And fitting a Thatcham rated category 1 or 2 alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors can help protect and trace your vehicle.

Bereaved parents demand government action on young driver deaths

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24246187.bereaved-parents-demand-go...

As the wetter winters (and drier summers) of climate breakdown settle on to the starting blocks, and the gammon curtain of Brexit descends making the UK a second world country, I think we're going to see more and more of this:

Devon resident fumes at 'earthquake' road with giant 10ft potholes

Widdicombe Lane is falling apart and nobody seems to be doing anything about it, say residents

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/angry-resident-fumes-earthquak...

Devon village road so bad it's causing havoc for school bus

It's not the first time the road into Templeton has caused problems

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-village-road-bad-its-921...

Herefordshire homeowner fed up with state of a road

"As a local resident, I am happy to go to jail and refused to pay my council tax.

"I shall also give a bottle of champagne to the residents of a road in Herefordshire which may be found to be in a worse state than ours."

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24241751.herefordshire-homeowner-fed-...

Come on Kentonline we're 2 weeks past April Fools Day, so traders actively blocking their own High Street to cars, yeah right

Accident fears in Rochester High Street after chain barrier swapped for ANPR cameras

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/traders-fear-they-ll-be-an-acci...

trapped in our homes: 

Frustrations over Heartsease roundabout closure in Norwich

Keith Breeze, 62, said his wife, Sherry, has been forced to park her car at a church around the corner from their home in Heartsease Lane.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24254199.frustrations-heartsease-roundabout...

Drivers : cyclists should pay Road Tax etc

Also drivers : you want us to pay to use the toll bridge? L-O-L 

Fees hike at Eling toll bridge approved by Totton and Eling Town Council amid legal advice

Resident Mary Brown said exemption from the toll had been granted 40 years ago by NFDC on the grounds it was “reasonable and necessary” for residents to be able to access services and facilities in the town centre by the shortest available route.

“In that respect, nothing has changed. Parents taking kids to school, people making use of medical services, shops or the library all have to cross the bridge or make a lengthy detour.

“These services are free to other residents of Totton and to make part of the community pay is nothing short of discrimination.”

Resident Graham Gardiner added: “We have taken legal advice and are of the strong opinion that the issuance of free exemption passes is an established right and should continue in perpetuity.”

https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/legal-delay-amid-fees-hike-at-...

drivers and their problems 

Walmer Castle visitors’ concern over ‘perilous’ walk along 40mph road amid lack of parking

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/getting-to-tourist-attraction-is-...