Drivers and their problems

Land Rover Defender on fire due to 'mechanical fault' https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24647259.land-rover-defender-fire...

Video shows moment car explodes in Brixham after catching fire  

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2024-10-12/video-shows-moment-car-e...

Clearly need banning, legislative change etc

You drove up a hill? Big.Fucking.Whoo.

UK's steepest hill debate ignites on TikTok as driver claims successful ascent

Dave the Driver uploaded the clip to the social media platform and made a substantial claim about the hill's steepness - but not everyone agreed with him in the viral video

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/uks-steepest-hill-deba...

Fears new parking charges will 'destroy' seaside town

Locals issue warning as controversial charges agreed

New parking charges in North Somerset will threaten Clevedon’s independent shops and Portishead’s open air pool, locals have warned.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/fears-new-parking-charges...

The report to the council Cabinet says the surplus from parking charges will be £479k - so - and here's my big irony reveal - enough to cover the £425k cost of removing the changes to Clevedon sea front and leave a bit of change.

https://n-somerset.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s6535/08%20Parking%20Manage...

https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/parking-travel-roads/transport-tra...

The Southern Daily Echo has been running carmaggedon stories all week about gridlock in Southampton:

While everyone across the city has been feeling the effects of the traffic congestion, Ray Callaway from Hamble Hoovers felt it more than most.

Ray travelled from Hamble to Portswood to pick up a part for his hoover repair business, but it ended up taking him four hours to travel to Machine Mart and back.

Drivers and their problems.  If only there was some kind of rail link between these two places he could have used. 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24662900.southampton-road-works-carmage...

Winchester traffic: buses delayed and cancelled due to congestion

https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24678389.winchester-traffic-bu...
 

Enjoy a fume-filled, stationary day out in Winchester.  This week the graduations, then from 22 November the Christmas market.  Soz, bus users (including park & ride).
 

You literally brought a legal challenge because you suddenly decided you cared about admin and now: 

The group added: “We ask again that our voices are heard, we meet and a compromise reached.”

Council 'refuse' to meet locals who took Bath LTN to courts

The LTN was blocked after the council did not contest a legal challenge, but will now go ahead anyway

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/council-refuse-meet-local...

60 years of caring what drivers think. 

'It's my car - why should an under-21 not be allowed in it?'

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgl5jvz0dqo

And so it begins. Isn't the idea of this that it would apply at night?

Well quite, Faye : "If this rule came into place, it wouldn't give me any motivation to drive at all," says the 16-year-old from Norfolk. "I want to drive because it gives me a lot more freedom."
Ever considered why public transport is "a nightmare"? Or thought of anyone but yourself? 

Agree something needs to apply to older drivers - regular re-tests. If you really cannot figure out Ringo, I don't see how you can claim to be safe to drive:

Exeter city centre car park bans cash and direct card payments

It's 'too expensive' to fix the pay and display machines

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/exeter-city-centre-car-park-96...

Interesting that in a city centre car park they've decided the fee/cut taken by Ringo is more economic than operating machines on the spot. 

Pub sign has number of days since last crash at 'UK's most dangerous junction'

An A-board, updated daily, has been outside the pub since August

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/pub-attempts-wa...

Local take on a national story - brought to you from England, the country with Europe's highest drink- drive limit. 

Man 'blocked' from charging car outside own home

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrddz2407zo

Teston Bridge closure for repairs causing headaches for locals and motorists

What cannot be factored in are the drivers who smash into bridge.

Its closure has been leading to major detours, causing one mother to spend up to two hours on the school run - a journey that should take more than 10 or 15 minutes.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/bridge-closure-is-turning-sc...

National Trust makes 'devastating' decision on Devon coast

"We thought they were our friends"

Reading this one between the lines, it's mainly about "I want to park my car for free", rather than I dunno nature conservation. It was £55 for a permit for locals under the outgoing arrangement, and seniors can join the NT for £68. 

Of the two accounts given of what has happened, I tend to believe the NT:

[Cllr Cook, parish council chairman] adds: “Unilaterally, and without any prior consultation, the National Trust has decided not to renew a long-standing lease with Mortehoe Parish Council, the body looking after the interest of the two local communities of Woolacombe and Mortehoe."

The National Trust released a statement saying: “The National Trust opened discussions about the changes in December 2022. Since then, the charity has met with the Parish Council regularly... to discuss various options to work together and...offering solutions to several of their concerns which were refused. The National Trust has repeatedly offered to preserve the employment of the council staff at Marine Drive and this was refused." (abridged by me for repetition)

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/national-trust-makes-devastati...

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/woolacombe/marine-drive-car...

EDIT : it does look like from the Parish Council minutes in spring 2023 like the NT did indeed unilaterally decide in late 2022 not to renew the Marine Drive lease. There also appear to have been discussions between the parties through 2023, but no detail is given: no meeting of minds, it would seem. Curious as to why this story now.

Fix the pot-holes! No, not like that. Trowbridge residents share anger at 'traffic nightmare' in town

https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/24686115.trowbridge-residents-sh...

Road closures are harming Pamphill pet food business

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24687630.road-closures-harming-pa...

car-dependent business suffering for lack of cars

Cars “delay buses” shock

Bath’s LTNs causing bus delays, major bus operator warns

First Bus has warned that the council's major plans for Gay Street could cause trouble for Bath's buses

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/baths-ltns-causing-bus-de...

What cars do to people:

Ledbury bus driver punched in the face in parking row

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24679757.ledbury-bus-driver-punched-f...