Drivers and their problems

Devon flood terror as driver 'up to his neck' in water

A 'massive current' engulfed a road

Drivers, huh? you wonder how thick some of them are to pitch into a flood and in this account, barely a word of gratitude to a doubtless overstretched fire & rescue service risking their own lives to save her.

It was quite the rise on the River Axe (the link takes you to the current graph) , but someone should have put a sign up, of course. A quick Google News search indicates this sort of thing has been happening 2 or 3 times a year lately.  

On the map, Axminster with its carpet factory is top-right. See if you can spot another rustic lane name nearer to Whitford.  

Unfortunately, both the roads into Whitford (from the east and the north) are called Whitford Road. I couldn't  see anything directly relevant on One.net roadworks-wise, although there's a major (night-time) closure of the A35. The 885 bus (pretty decent weekday service) opts for the route via Musbury and the fire service quote mentions it so I'm guessing that's it. 

I know what horsey people can be like, but if you end up in hospital / incapacitated by taking silly risks, you won't be able to help them for the duration.  Unless you've left them directly in the path of the flood, they won't die just because you miss a visit.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-flood-terror-driver-up-9...

https://bustimes.org/services/885-beer-seaton-colyton-axminster

https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/3238

One for you, Sir David Attenborough - it's funny how when trees matter and when they don't. 

Felling of trees at C13 Dinah's Hollow, Melbury Abbas

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24620478.felling-trees-c13-dinahs...

see also: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/savemelburyabbas/

Dramatic footage of M5 trailer crash which sent fridges 😅  flying

It jack-knifed and the driver lost control

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/motoring/dramatic-footage-m5-trailer...

"Parking issues" - what cars do to people:

East Malling man jailed for GBH after squashing man between car and lamppost in Kings Hill

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/malling/news/driver-jailed-for-squashing-ma...

Chippenham free parking plans vote splits residents

Residents were split over the decision to scrap plans for free parking in a Wiltshire town centre.

Were they? Town councillors say they received a “deluge” of messages from residents ahead of the decision, which were overwhelmingly against the proposal.

Natasha Giddings said: “What about disabled people who have no choice but to drive and park?

(A: Wiltshire Council included blue badge holders in parking charges a couple years ago, but there's a political fudge that gives them an extra hour free.)

Graham Knight - bad loser much? 

https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/24620352.chippenham-free-parking-p...

'Selfish' act on Dartmoor leaves people fuming

'Never ceases to amaze me how low and despicable some will go'

However, some pointed out that disposing of large waste legally and responsibly was “not always possible”.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/selfish-act-dartmoor-leaves-lo...

(Article based on Facebook posts - it was going to be "bloody cyclists" til I spotted the comment defending this.)

Southampton man fined for parking in marked bay outside his flat

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24630760.southampton-man-fined-parking-...

Great to see Southampton City Council taking action against pavement parkers and believing that they can. The picture is the 2014 Google Street view, clearly a long-standing problem. But, of all the places, this one is relatively spacious for peds, it's a stub of roadway left after some junction re-alignment.  Unusually too, the driver doesn't seem to be winning hearts and minds in the comments. 

Outrage over Exeter parking charges as some refuse to visit

"It’s as if they want the city to do badly"

Forbes Pryde said: "Exeter finally dragging itself into the 21st century. Still probably 20 years behind other bigger cities though but a start at least. Unfortunately, some dinosaurs just don't understand that most people are fed up with being surrounded by pollution from cars while out walking, exercising or having lunch out."

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/dismay-over-exeter-parking-cha...

Drivers and their iffy comparisons: Spain - free parking everywhere, apparently; it's cheaper in Ottery St Mary and free in Witney, Oxon (West Oxfordshire DC doesn't charge), free on Sundays in Taunton. 

Councillor 'does job' (TIFTFY)

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24635829.bcp-councillor-investiga...

We need to stop listening to whingeing drivers. 

Anger as four Dover town centre streets to shut for Fastrack bus contraflow works

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/it-s-insane-four-town-centre-str...

Allington residents and motorists clash as Kent County Council and Croudace argue over ‘no entry’ signs 40cm out of place

Last Friday, George Powell, of Howard Drive in Allington near Maidstone found another driver waiting for him when he left his house to take his wife to her job at Maidstone Grammar School.

The 73-year-old, who has lived there for 13 years, said: “He beckoned at me and when I wound the car window down, he leaned on the car in a threatening manner and began swearing at me.”

Two days earlier, Mr Powell had told the man that he shouldn’t be driving through the “busgate” which connects the new Hermitage Park estate with the older properties in Allington.

“He was very intimidating,” said the pensioner. “And he told me to mind my own f****** business.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/new-no-entry-signs-40cm-too-...

State of this 

Devon car ride horror after wife fetches husband from pub

Susan Rogers was overwhelmed by "irrational panic" after going the wrong way down a country lane

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/wife-blazing-row-drunk-husband...

Dover mum says she would rather go to prison than pay parking fine

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/i-ll-go-to-prison-before-i-pay-1...

In short, she parked with her blue badge on a Tuesday lunch-time, but it's everybody else's fault that she's received a penalty charge. 

Horse killed and rider injured in horror crash near Wiltshire border

Grey Menace strikes again 

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/horse-killed-rider-near-wiltshire/

It's too dangerous for you to walk / cycle to school - here, I'll drive you:

Boy, 8, hit by car – Wiltshire Police launch hunt for fleeing driver

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/boy-hit-car-police-hunt-driver/

Teenage girl struck by car walking to school in Trowbridge

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/teenage-girl-struck-school-trowbridge/

Two pigs die amid three more hit-and-runs involving livestock around New Forest animal accident black spot route the B3078 Roger Penny Way

https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/two-pigs-die-amid-three-more-n...

I've only got the headline here, but this is no "blackspot", it's just the New Forest road with the most cars on it.  The busier the road, the more livestock is hit. 

EDIT: here's a map - the Roger Penny Way leads north-west away from the end of the M27.  The A roads are fenced, this is a B road and driver problem. 

Also:

The most disappointing figure for Commoners and the Forest organisations working to reduce these accidents are the amount of hit and runs. A total of 18 drivers failed to report an incident to the police despite it being a legal requirement to do so within 24 hours.

Head Agister, Jonathan Gerrelli said: “While most people do report an accident at the time, unfortunately we had a spate this autumn where several drivers failed to do so.”

https://www.newforest-life.com/New-Forest-animal-accidents.html