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

Pic:A lorry strikes a railway bridge in Tulse Hill
Staff reporter(wp/es):

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. 

Tube strike:Two walkouts in February in row over jobs and ticket office closures

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Tube workers are to stage two strikes next month in a row over jobs and ticket office closures.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out for 16 hours from 6pm on February 5 and for 15 hours from 10am on the 7th.

The strike was announced after talks between transport bosses and the union broke down this afternoon. 

The RMT and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) staged a 24-hour strike earlier this month which crippled Tube services.

The RMT said it is also planning further strikes in March.

Over 3,000 RMT station staff members were balloted for action over the impact on safety from the axing of nearly 900 front-line workers alongside the closure of Tube ticket offices.

The unions have warned that the job cuts have left safety on a "knife edge" with repeated reports of dangerous overcrowding on stations and platforms.

Union members have been banning overtime, which they say has exposed the "massive deficiencies" in station staffing.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: "RMT will not stand by while safety is compromised on London Underground off the back of cash-led cuts to staffing levels that the union has warned would have a serious, lasting and corrosive impact for staff and passengers alike. That is why our members are taking this further action.

"RMT members on the London Underground stations see day in and day out the toxic impact of the job cuts programme and they are reporting back that it is horrific.

"It has now also been shown that at management level there is agreement with the union that the cuts have been a disastrous mistake.

"With the constant overcrowding on stations and platforms it is only a matter of time before there is a major tragedy if we don't act decisively.

"Our dispute is about taking action to haul back the cuts machine and put safety back at the top of the agenda.

"The union remains available for further serious talks."

Astonishing moment would-be motorbike thief attacks man with nunchucks in Norbury

Pic:The man was attacked with his own weapon
Crime reporter(wp/es):

This is the astonishing moment a man is attacked with nunchucks by would-be motorbike thieves before a heroic barefoot neighbour helps chase them away.

Police say the bike’s owner had been wielding the weapon himself while trying to ward off the crash helmet-wearing pair, but it was grabbed from his hands.

One of the duo then appears to start swinging the nunchucks towards the man, aged 46, before they are seen wrestling against a car.

A neighbour is then seen running barefoot out of a house in Arnull’s Road, Norbury, to chase them off.

Detectives say the two men, clad in motorcycle helmets and balaclavas, had turned up on a stolen motorbike just before 1.30pm on December 10.

One of them then attempted to steal a three-wheeled motorcycle parked in the street using a screwdriver before being confronted by the angry owner.

The victim received injuries to his hand during the struggle before the men ran off towards Gibson Hill, abandoning their vehicle.

 One of the men is described as wearing a dark coloured jacket with a red logo on the back, black trousers with a blue line down the side, black trainers with white soles and gloves.

The other is described as wearing a dark jacket with grey at the top, dark trousers, black trainers with white soles and a helmet with a Nike tick on the back.

Detective Constable Ania Casey, investigating officer from Croydon, said: "If the owner had not locked his motorbike with a heavy chain, his bike may have been taken in seconds. 

“Those extra minutes were sufficient enough to alert the owner and his neighbours to deter the two suspects.”

Diesel drivers will have to pay extra to park in central London

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Diesel car drivers are to be hit with a £2.45-an-hour “D-charge” to park in a swathe of central London to combat toxic air.

Westminster City Council is to become the first town hall in Britain to impose the surcharge for pay-to-park bays.

The “D-charge” will be trialed at 1,424 parking bays in Marylebone, and parts of Fitzrovia and the Hyde Park area from April 3.

Motorists driving diesel models will have to pay an extra 50 per cent on the normal charge, £4.90-an-hour, to park their car or van in a bay.

The maximum stay is four hours, so the diesel levy could total £9.80.

“Residents and visitors tell us all the time that air quality is a key concern in central London,” said Councillor David Harvey, Westminster’s Cabinet member for environment, sports and community.

“Additional charges for diesel vehicles will mean people think twice about using highly polluting cars and invest in cleaner transport that will make a real difference in the quality of air we breathe.”

Marylebone Road was one of at least 20 sites in London where particulate pollution soared to “very high”, or black 10/10, during the recent spike in toxic air.

The area, which includes Baker Street, Princess Grace Hospital, King Edward VII Hospital, the University of Westminster and Madam Tussauds, also frequently suffers from high nitrogen dioxide levels, exceeding recommended health limits.

The flagship Tory council’s move comes ahead of London Mayor Sadiq Khan introducing a “T-charge”, a toxicity levy, later this year, expected to be around £10-a-day, for the most polluting vehicles, diesel and petrol, to drive into central London.

The combination of the two surcharges, and the C-Charge, could equate to around £30 to come into Marylebone and park.

The new levies are likely to spark protests from motorists, especially as many bought diesel cars, which produce less carbon dioxide, after being encouraged through tax breaks to do so by previous governments to tackle climate change.

But the attempts to reduce the number of diesel vehicles in the city spewing out filthy fumes, harmful to human health, will almost certainly be backed by many local residents.

London is seen as trailing other capitals, including Paris and Olso, in having in place measures to tackle toxic air.

Westminster stressed that the “polluters pay” move was supported by groups in the Marylebone Low Emission Neighbourhood including the three business improvement districts (BIDs). 

Penny Alexander, chief executive of the Baker Street Quarter Partnership BID said “Improving air quality is a priority for us and needs to be a unified effort.”

Kay Buxton from the Marble Arch BID said: “We welcome Westminster’s first step to addressing air pollution through differential parking charges and hope to see a resultant behaviour change, with people choosing not to bring diesel vehicles into the area.”

The council stressed that funds raised from the D-charge, which will not apply to motorbikes, will be spent on initiatives to promote sustainable transport.

It could be made permanent or expanded to other parts of the borough if successful in cutting pollution.

Tim Carnegie, Chairman of Marylebone Association, said: “Marylebone residents’ are pleased that the Low Emission Neighbourhood is taking action to deter visiting diesel vehicles from driving into our community.” 

Several councils in London, including Islington and Camden, have introduced diesel surcharges on residents’ parking permits.

Teenage killer who stabbed friend to death at party is jailed for 14 years

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A teenager killer who stabbed his former friend to death at a girl's 16th birthday party after a row over a tracksuit has beenlocked up for 14 years. 

Aaron Gaiete, 17, plunged a kitchen knife into the heart of Charlie Kutyauripo outside a sports centre in Woodford, then stabbed him in the arm as he tried to get to his feet. 

The two teens had been firm friends, but fell out after Gaiete borrowed a tracksuit from Charlie, 16, and refused to give it back. 

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC, sitting at the Old Bailey, today removed Gaiete's anonymity as a deterrent against other teenagers carrying knives. 

The jury at trial convicted Gaiete of murder, but in an unusual step asked for "leniency" in his sentencing. 

Sentencing him to detention at Her Majesty's pleasure with a minimum term of 14 years Judge Poulet said she would not ignore the jury's request and said it was a "merciful" punishment. 

"I will take into account there was a background between you two boys and Charlie knew you had a short temper and he was making provoking comments during the confrontation", said the judge. 

But she added: "It must be understood that taking a knife out in public whether for an offensive or defensive purpose is in itself a criminal offence.

"It is the experience of the courts that far from preventing an attack on the carrier of that knife, it frequently results in the causing of serious injury or in this case death and therefore the inevitable outcome of a very lengthy sentence for the individual who takes it out."

In a victim impact statement, Charlie's mother Matilda, an A&E nurse, said the family was "crushed, hurt, torn beyond description" after her son was killed by a boy she had previously welcomed into her home.

She said: "No mother or family deserve to suffer the way we have."

The grieving mother said Charlie had been brought up in a "decent Christian family and law abiding citizens" and raised to have "good values". 

Both boys had attended King Solomon High School in Ilford and become good friends, but they had fallen out badly by the time of the murder, on January 9 last year. 

"There is some evidence that suggests the two may have fallen out about something as trivial as a tracksuit the defendant had borrowed and was refusing to give back", said prosecutor Louis Mably. 

The court heard the teenagers had been talking about having a fight in the run-up to the stabbing, which happened at a neon-themed birthday party which was supervised by adults. 

Gaiete arrived at around 9.30pm and confronted Charlie outside the sports hall in Chingford Road, Woodford, pulling out the knife he had hidden in his jacket pocket. 

Charlie was rushed to hospital but died within an hour of the attack. 

Gaiete, from Norfolk Road, Ilford,  denied murder, claiming he had acted in self-defence.