Drivers and their problems

Gosh if only there had been some public announcement about the ULEZ before the go-live, the £12.50 insurmountable obstacle could have been avoided.  

Wait, the comments observe that our old friend the so-called Historic vehicles don't pay ULEZ - along with

no VED, no MoT 

God bless Hooky Street
Viva Hooky Street
Long live Hooky Street

Bromley Pageant of Motoring 2024 cancelled by organisers because of the expansion of ULEZ to outer London boroughs

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/classic-car-show-sc...

Southbourne Crossroads car park to close on January 15

save scruffy, little used car park and don't build there, that will block our sea view. 

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24030574.southbourne-crossroads-c...

York residents furious as street parking to be replaced with cycle lanes

City of York Council, approved the removal of Queen Street residents’ parking on safety grounds to permit the installation of segregated cycle lanes and a wider pedestrian footway on Thursday, October 19.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/york-residents-furious-st...

oh, it was a call-out, well why didn't you say? 
You can be as flood-proof as you like, it's not going to stop you getting swept away downstream and being yet another driver for over stretched fire crews to have to deal with.  Or am I getting too  cynical? 

Land Rover driver tackling floods was on call-out

Jack Chapman was called out to save the day

https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/land-rover-driver-tackling-flo...

EDIT: upgraded to "good deed"

Land Rover driver who drove through Storm Henk floods was doing good deed

Jack Chapman was called out to save the day

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/land-rover-driver-who-dro...

Warning after illegal parking on new Trowbridge pavements

The cabinet member for transport said: "Our civil enforcement officers will regularly patrol around Trowbridge, including Castle Street, if any vehicles are seen parking behind a yellow line restriction a penalty charge notice would be issued.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-67892291

So councils can issue FPNs for pavement parking in some instances?

Another hard-pressed driver: 

Van driver ordered to stump up £500 after ‘lobbing’ banana skin window in Herne Bay

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/herne-bay/news/van-driver-ordered-to-stump-...

conked out car is news why? 

Architect left stranded after Discovery engine fail that Land Rover refuses to fix

Steve said that despite being a loyal JLR customer for years, he's had no help from them at all

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/architect-left-stranded-...

Fed up residents in 'ignored' Devon town 'want action'

The town is suffering from traffic congestion, air pollution, and overdevelopment but the Government is 'not listening'

“Another survey, organised by Cullompton Community Association fields, revealed that people were torn but would give up their community fields for the sake of a relief road to stop the awful congestion in the centre of the town. Now there is to be a further consultation, on both the relief road and junction 28, on which progress also needs to be made."

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/fed-up-residents-ignored-devon...

Local shops 'won't survive' if town's free parking ends, warn councillors

"Most of the businesses on the high street are struggling to survive"

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/local-shops-wont-survi...

Parking 'scam' warning at Hayle beach where you cannot pay with cash or phone

You will need to download the app but it won't work with Apple Pay or Google Pay

On what planet do you drive into a private ANPR car park and stay 14 minutes, drive off having not paid anything and believe all will be well? Sippi app, anyone?

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/parking-scam-warning-hay...

Driver’s fury as Volkswagon Lupo damaged by ‘rude’ parking stickers in Ramsgate

I guess a description of how he was parked wouldn't fit the victim narrative. 

“[The stickers] were right in the middle of my windscreen so someone has leant over and touched the car to put them there. It’s a show car so deep scratches don’t look good. They definitely weren’t there before."

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/fury-as-car-damaged-by-rude-par...

pretty sure Lassie would have handled this better:

Waitrose car stolen with owner's Labrador dog still inside

Land Rover Discovery - check

Waitrose - check 

Labrador - check 

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24045864.waitrose-car-stolen-owners...

ANPR cameras fining visitors to Kent’s country parks

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/thousands-fined-for-parking-at-ke...

Speed cameras hacked down on road where woman was killed still not replaced months later

The mum of Kelly Kennedy, who tragically died after the incident on the A4067, has called for the prompt return of the damaged cameras

Vandalised speed cameras that had been installed after years of campaigning by a bereaved mum have still not been replaced months after they were ripped down. Kelly Kennedy, from the Swansea Valley, died along the A4067 on July 4, 2016, after her car was ploughed into head-on by a man who had been racing another at the time. 

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/speed-cameras-hacked-down-...

Disbelief as Mercedes gets stuck in sand on Cornwall beach

It might not be tourist season, but people are still getting their cars stuck on beaches in Cornwall

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/disbelief-mercedes-gets-stuck-...

A tiny glimpse of a world without cars 

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/the-abandoned-ghost-roads-only...

Subsidise meeeee - our thoughts turn to the deprivation experienced by local car drivers having to fork out an extra 20p to cross the Tamar Bridge. 

“Why are we penalising people in the local population?", said Cllr Toms. There is more deprivation now then I have seen in my 20 plus years as a councillor and it’s worse in Plymouth than it is in Cornwall. We need to see where we can control our spending and come up with a proper business plan that looks at other ways of generating income. We just keep putting the tolls up and up and it’s like galloping racehorse.”

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/tamar-bridge-torpoint-fe...

Pinvin Ford rescue bravery awards for six police officers

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24050978.pinvin-ford-rescue-bravery...

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/23484622.woman-rescued-walcot-lane-...

English Tory politicians running Facebook groups opposing 20mph in Wales while supporting it where they live

There has been a lot of opposition to the 20mph limit

"Within hours of WalesOnline approaching Sunderland councillor Lyall Reed about his links to Welsh Facebook groups he was removed as an admin. He told WalesOnline: "Across Wales it is clear that a blanket policy of 20mph is unpopular. In my ward I personally advocate for 20mph zones in front of schools and nurseries which are all sensible locations. There is a clear difference between targeted zones and a blanket policy."

The Sunderland Echo reported that the 20mph limited was applied in "several residential areas" as well as outside schools. The Conservatives have not responded to our requests for comment."

Interesting story, this, although I don't think the writer has quite grasped the sheer terror drivers have of so-called blanket (I.e. widespread, 30 mph converted to 20 mph) 20 mph limits and how "outside schools" is a comtainment strategy. How many more wolves in sheep's clothing? 

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/english-tory-politicians-run...

Driver rammed car after seeing her ex-partner in it with another woman

The single mum-of-two “lost it” after spotting them together in the vehicle in West Park Rugby Club car park, off Prescot Road, shortly before 4am one morning and launched her bizarre attack.

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/24051043.driver-rammed-car-seeing-ex...

Police called after 'argument' between motorist and parking warden

When asked why officers were in the area, a Merseyside Police spokeswoman told the Star it was following "a verbal argument between a motorist and parking enforcement officer".

She added: "Officers attended and spoke to both parties but as this is a civil matter no further action will be taken."

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/24050270.police-called-argument-moto...

Poole residents to protest against park entrance closure

A public consultation is set to launch on the same day, Wednesday, January 17, but residents argue the closure will be hazardous to the public.

Bob, who has been involved in the park for around 30 years, said he has never known of any accidents or problems between traffic and pedestrians or cyclists.

He argues that the closure will affect elderly and disabled residents, who are unable to access the park on foot.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24051299.poole-residents-protest-...

And as gap between resources available to maintain the road infra and requirements widens, my guess it will be peds that suffer the most and drivers the least.  

The dodgy underpass, another delight foisted on people by cars...

Blocked Exeter underpass forces kids to cross busy road

Devon County Council says the flooding has been caused by a blocked drainage pipe

The typical route taken by many pupils who walk to school is via a pedestrian subway but this has been flooded since late December 2023 when Storm Henk battered Devon with strong wind and torrential rain.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/blocked-exeter-underpass-force...

New pictures from scenes of two speed cameras cut down in Cornwall

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/gallery/new-pictures-sce...

we've created a monster, haven't we; is the end of the line for the overt camera? 

Devon residents annoyed as daily gridlock 'seals off' their town

Businesses in the area have reported a drop in footfall as people steer clear

Her husband Phil said: “It does feel like the town is under siege and someone is trying to seal us off just for the fun of it. The county council said some time ago that the roads were crowded and almost not fit for purpose. You can’t really get in or out now without packing a lunch and taking a flask, because you could be there for days!”

(Tavistock: roadworks) 

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-residents-annoyed-daily-...

Man fined for breaking 20mph law says politicians' talk 'makes my blood boil'

Owen Bright was fined for driving at 27mph on a road that has now been increased back up to a 30mph limit

Mr Bright said: "At the time I just had to take it on the chin and endure the speed awareness course and £85 fine but when I hear them talk about warnings and bedding in periods it does make my blood boil. I actually agree with 20 mph for part of St Brides but why was the police motorcycle on the edge of the village instead of by the school or shop. Almost all tickets are issued automatically now so this idea of a roadside chat is just nonsense," he said.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/man-fined-breaking-20mph-l...