Councils call for lorries to banned from using car sat-navs

Pic:A lorry strikes a railway bridge in Tulse Hill
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Lorry drivers should be banned from using sat-navs designed for cars after a spate of smashes up and down Britain, councils have claimed.

The plea was made by the Local Government Association (LGA) after recent “chaos” on British roads where lorries exceeded the weight or height limit.

The group, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, want legislation introduced so only commercial sat-navs should be used by HGV drivers.

The models are slightly more expensive than regular sat-navs and include information on bridge heights and narrow roads.

The group said recent accidents involved lorries ripping off their roofs on low bridges and wedging themselves in historic town centres causing mayhem for motorists.

Network Rail figures show there were more than 1,700 such incidents in Britain during 2015/16.

Rail services on a commuter line on the outskirts of Birmingham were delayed on Monday after a lorry smashed into a bridge, ripping the roof off its trailer.

A historic bridge in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, was closed for months after it was driven over by a lorry more than 10 times heavier than the structure's weight limit in September last year.

Residents in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, reported chaotic scenes when a lorry got stuck after being driven through the town's main shopping street in October.

Local authorities in Wales and London have the power to take action if lorry drivers break the law, but councils are urging the Government to roll this out across the whole of England.

The LGA said the money raised from fines could be put towards tackling the backlog in fixing potholes, which could reach an estimated £14 billion over the next two years.

LGA Transport spokesman Cllr Martin Tett said: "There has been a spate of recent accidents involving lorry drivers driving irresponsibly and causing chaos. 

“The Government must start taking this issue more seriously and give councils the legislative tools to help their communities and other motorists.

"It is common sense that all lorry drivers should use satnavs designed for trucks, but this is only going to become a reality when it is a mandatory requirement. 

“We are talking about a very small extra cost to drivers.

"Lorry drivers who get wedged in narrow roads or under bridges not only endanger themselves, other road users and pedestrians, but also cause massive disruption.

“This has a significant impact on local economies, particularly in rural areas.

"Some rural communities are fed-up with lorries ignoring weight restrictions and using their streets. The additional noise, vibration and pollution make their lives miserable.”

An AA spokesman called on councils to ensure warning signs are clearly visible.

He said: "If a particular road has a particular problem then it's up to the local authority to come up with the signage to deal with that. 

“And obviously if the lorry or any other road user contravenes that road order and that signage then they are open to a penalty."

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt has died from cancer aged 77.

Pic: Sir John was awarded a lifetime achievement award in 2012. 

Entertainment reporter(wp/es):

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt has died from cancer aged 77.

Tributes have poured into the star, who was best known for his roles as the title character in The Elephant Man, wizard Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter films and Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant.

During his illustrious career Sir John was twice-nominated for Oscar and received four Baftas including a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to British cinema.

His agent, Charles McDonald, confirmed on Saturday Sir John had died after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Hollywood legend Mel Brooks described him as "a truly magnificent talent".

"No one could have played The Elephant Man more memorably. He carried that film into cinematic immortality. He will be sorely missed," he added.

Stephen Fry celebrated the "great man" for excelling as an actor, whether he was working in cinema, television or on the stage.

Richard E Grant tweeted: "So so sad to have lost such an extraordinary talent and friend. Sir John Hurt. R. I. P."

News broke of the actor’s cancer diagnosis in June 2015.

Sir John, who received his two Oscar nods for the roles in The Elephant Man and Midnight Express, said at the time: “"I have always been open about the way in which I conduct my life and in that spirit I would like to make a statement.

"I have recently been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. I am undergoing treatment and am more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome, as indeed is the medical team.

"I am continuing to focus on my professional commitments and will shortly be recording Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (one of life's small ironies!) for BBC Radio 4."

He later told the Radio Times: "I can't say I worry about mortality, but it's impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it.

"We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly. But my treatment is going terrifically well, so I'm optimistic."

Despite his illness, he continued to work at a prodigious rate, starring in Jackie Kennedy biopic Jackie, thriller Damascus Cover and the upcoming biopic of boxer Lenny McLean, My Name Is Lenny.

Sir John enjoyed a big hit with sci-fi horror Alien in 1979 and his character's final scene has been frequently named as one of the most memorable in cinematic history.

He was knighted by the Queen for services to drama at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2015.

Four adults and child rescued after blast rips though roof of home

Pic:Sidcup Hill was taped off.
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Firefighters pulled four adults and a child from a south east London house after a gas blast ripped through their home.

The five people had to be rescued after the gas explosion in Sidcup at around Saturday lunchtime.

One man was injured in the blast and treated by paramedics at the scene.

The explosion happened at a house on Sidcup Hill and left roads in the area choked up as police, ambulances and fire engines raced to the scene.

Photos taken in the aftermath of the blast show a large police cordon along the pavement with police officers and firefighters guarding the area.

One photo appears to the roof of a house partly damaged with tiles collapsing into the house.

People nearby complained of long delays as Sidcup Hill was shut between Foots Cray High Street and Sidcup High Street and buses were diverted.

Helen Tamblyn-Saville said on Facebook: “It’s a nightmare, husband is trying to pick up a van and the road is a disaster.”

Elaine Roles said: “If you are planning on coming to Sidcup today allow extra time due to Sidcup Hill being closed due to a gas explosion.”

Over an hour after the blast police said the road had reopened.

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said firefighters had evacuated four adults and a child following the blast and made the house safe.