Drivers and their problems

Petrol prices are soaring - and could soon go well above 150p a litre
 

This was echoed by AA fuel price spokesman Luke Bosdet, who said pump prices were climbing towards the point "drivers fear". 

"It is a psychological shock that shouts out from the price boards each time motorists drive past," he said. 

🎻

https://news.sky.com/story/money-blog-news-latest-consumer-financial-inf...

Parents angry as they deal with 'aggression' from drivers while trying to keep road outside school safe for children

One parent said: "I had a car drive straight at me, with the driver yelling abuse.”

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/parents-angry-deal-...

'Bad parking' blocks firefighters multiple times on same emergency call-out

A crew from Dogsthorpe Fire Station was delayed multiple times on their way to an incident due to inconsiderate parking on multiple roads in Millfield, according to the fire service. 

They said many vehicles, in particular a van, were poorly parked narrowing the road, which prevented the fire engine from travelling. The crew were unable to proceed until they had located the owner and requested the van be moved, delaying them by around ten minutes.

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/bad-parking-blocks-fire...

Retired policeman from Swanley fined after forgetting to display blue badge at free Bluewater car park

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/fury-at-disabled-dad-s-blue-b...

"he forgot to display his blue badge when he parked in a disabled bay."

"he accidentally put his blue badge in the glove compartment when asked by her to display it and when they returned to their car they found a fine for £95."

Can't quite be sure who was driving/whose car, but it sounds to me like the daughter is blaming anyone but herself, not least her dementia suffering father, for incurring the penalty. 

Police increase patrols over concerns drivers ignore no entry signs

At the end of March, officers were deployed to deal with motorists who contravene the bus gate rules in Semington, near Melksham.

According to Wiltshire Police, the force has “received numerous reports of drivers not complying” with the no entry signs on Semington Road.

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/police-patrols-drivers-ignore-no-entry/

Residents of Eling Hill say they will continue to fight for toll bridge fee exemption after Totton and Eling Town Council clarifies legal issues

They disagree with the council’s offer to buy a pass giving them unlimited travel for a £25 administration charge (50p/ week, FFS), and plan to now lobby NFDC, which will make the final decision on the fees.

A meeting of Totton and Eling Town Council on Wednesday rubber-stamped the plans after hearing there was a legal right to levy a toll as the bridge is a private road.

Advice sought by the council also confirmed that, despite residents previously being granted exemption, this had not created any permanent rights for it to continue.

https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/this-is-not-the-end-residents-...

See also: driver entitlement (to drive one mile into Totton) whinge list:

https://www.tottoneling-tc.gov.uk/Document/Default.aspx?DocumentUid=0FD2...

Man arrested after van found abandoned on railway tracks in East Farleigh, near Maidstone

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/man-arrested-after-vehicle-a...

stop spending money on pedestrian crossings near schools and fill in the pot holes or I will have to get a 4x4 (is this right? Ed) 

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24261615.money-spent-fixing-herefords...

an innocent motorist writes ...

Letter: 'Feeling harassed trying to pick someone up at train station'

"In the 10 minute delay two parking officers emerged happily taking down details of cars waiting on limited spaces around the usually empty taxi lanes. 

Surely this is preying on motorists as opposed to routine parking control? It is time to question  the motives behind these actions, and it looks and feels like monetary targets are prevailing over good considered decisions."

https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24255226.letter-feeling-harass...

Cambridgeshire villagers say parking problem is 'ridiculous' as buses squeeze past cars

Villagers say that people park on pavements, over double yellow lines, and near junctions

villagers say parking problems caused by villagers are terrible 

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/cambridgeshire-villager...

'I racked up thousands in Ulez fines - I misread the rules and my dog ate the letters'

He says he buried his head when his debts began to mount - and two letters were even eaten by his dog

"administration manager"

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/real-life/i-racked-up-thousands-ulez-29...

Sort the pot holes...no, not like that!

Opinion: Secret Thinker says priorities wrong as Thanet Way faces traffic chaos for pointless roadworks while potholes elsewhere go unfixed

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/opinion/potholes-go-unfixed-while-majo...

EDIT and again as sat-nav is consulted

Whitstable traffic hell as A299 New Thanet Way roadworks spark long queues and jams in narrow country lane

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/whitstable/news/roadworks-are-relentless-it...

Ah, so taking pictures for use as evidence is OK. Got it. 

The truth about parking fines and secrets every driver must know to avoid paying

Having picture evidence will significantly increase your chances of winning an appeal. This is also the case if you think you have been unfairly punished, perhaps when dropping someone off or in the event of a medical emergency

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/truth-parking-fines-secre...

Quite the car-dominated main page in the Hereford Times today 

The A40 speeding article contains a graphic showing that speeding there doubled from 2019-22.  

Broken down lorry, car damaged by house. 4.5 miles of road where it would be quicker to cycle.

https://www.herefordtimes.com/

Traders plea 'save our town' as park charges set to be introduced in Midsomer Norton

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg feared the charges 'will suck blood out of the local economy'

Sean [Dudden of Dustland Fairytale Antiques] said "trade has fallen in recent weeks due to the announcement of parking charges and other traders have similar experiences. He added residents were frustrated that Midsomer Norton Town Council was not involved in the plans.

He added: “It is about democracy and respect for traders, customers and residents in the town. “We have a park charge-free oasis in Somerset where people can enjoy the town without Big Brother coming over and slapping on signs. The people here are lovely, but it is an area that needs to be treated with respect.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/traders-plea-save-town...

Driver wants parking restrictions (for other drivers) to be stricter.  The cracks are starting to appear. 

Parking space shortage in these Hereford city streets

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24274887.parking-space-shortage-heref...

Colour me unsurprised after the Wales experience : Tory staff running network of anti-Ulez Facebook groups riddled with racism and abuse

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/27/tory-staff-running-netw...

Good on him, he might be out of pocket by £100, but he still has a visual pun sense of humour.

Driver fumes at Bristol Airport three-point turn fine and says he won't return

Ian Simpson was driving a hire car at the time

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/regional-news/driver-fumes-br...

Road closure in Watlington will create 10-mile diversion

People in a Norfolk village will be forced on a 10-mile diversion through three neighbouring villages just to get to the shop, doctor's office and playground this week. 

Edward Travers, 41, who lives in Watlington, is angered by the extent of the disruption.  "This will affect more than half of the village's residents," he said. "It has not been thought through properly.

"People living on the train station side will have to take a 10-mile diversion to get to the A10 which will add about another 15 minutes just to go what is effectively only two miles away. 

"It will also affect the school busses as they start their run from the station but they won't be able to pick up children from the other side of the closure and get them to school on time."

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24283865.road-closure-watlington-will-creat...

10 miles diversion, you say? Well, challenge accepted. The official diversion into the village comes out as 7.5 miles on my mapping app. 

From the farthest flung  (westerly) end of Station Road into the centre of the Watlington is 1.2 miles, tops. Not sure the One.Network is accurately showing the extent of the road closure, so I've hazarded a guess in red and let's assume no-one is allowed though by any travel means.

With a little ingenuity, there's a cycling/ walking route (blue) through the houses to the north of Station Road for what looks to be the village centre, and plenty of options to the south for the medical centre and school. 
 

Or it could it be Edward is whingeing because he'll have to tackle some wriggley unclassified roads to get to the A10 just to the east of the village? 

Ashford Borough Council warden gives funeral car parking ticket during service for war hero at St Mildred’s Church, Tenterden

“On appeal of this PCN, we can confirm that it has been cancelled.

“We appreciate that this must have been a very sad and upsetting time for family and friends attending the service and if our actions have caused any further upset then we are sorry for that.”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tenterden/news/outrage-as-funeral-car-given...

Castle Fields car park extension in Tonbridge abandoned but charges remain on Sundays and Martin Square in Larkfield and Bailey Bridge in Aylesford

A blow-by-blow account of a Council meeting here. The privilege of car ownership results in people saying the strangest things. 

Kay Sinclair told the cabinet that 27 businesses had hosted the petition because they were all concerned about the adverse effect the extra charges would have on custom.

She said the charges would “devastate the High Street and be the death of the community.”

Graham Simmonds told the council that by ignoring the strong public opposition to the charges, the council was giving the impression that it didn’t care about its voters and that “democracy was dead.”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/malling/news/it-was-such-happy-news-for-the...