Old labrador rescued after falling down 18ft well in Middlezoy
Ms Smith, who has owned Jackson since he was seven weeks old, added: "He's spent the whole afternoon sleeping, just thankful he's OK."Fire crews had been called to the well, which was on a private property in Middlezoy, at around 10:35 BST on Sunday.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Couple finally win battle over neighbours' huge untrimmed hedge that left them suffering 'five years without sunshine'
A couple who have been embroiled in a long-running battle over a huge hedge overlooking their garden say they've suffered 'five years of misery and five years without sunshine' as a result. Keith Smith, 71, and his wife Julie, 68, told MailOnline that the matter has been a 'thorn in their side' that has taken a massive toll on their mental health. The couple have lived in their detached house, in the Prestonfield area of Edinburgh, for more than four decades. However, they say things changed after their neighbours moved in and planted cypress trees that grew several metres high. Mr Smith said the trees created a 'green wall' that went all the way along a fence dividing their gardens, preventing sunlight from getting into both the Smiths's garden and through the windows of their home - in what he brands a 'huge intrusion' and not suitable for adjoining gardens. This prompted an official row with the owners of the cypress trees, David Hunter and Niena Hunter Mistry, that has rumbled on for five years and seen the gardens inspected several times by various officials. Police have also attended over disputes between the neighbours. Edinburgh City Council initially knocked back the Smiths's bid to have the trees chopped down, but the couple later successfully appealed to the Scottish Government, which said the cypresses had to be cut down to 8.5 feet. The Hunters asked for one tree to be kept as it is, but that has also been ordered to be cut back to 8.5ft - and the Smiths say they are looking forward to this happening later this year. According to Edinburgh City Council's website, a hedge must be over 6.6ft from ground level before being considered a 'high hedge' potentially having a negative effect on people living nearby. Mr Smith, previously an employee of the local authority for 38 years, has now said that while the couple are hopeful the matter is dealt with, it has been 'a thorn in their side' and has caused them considerable stress and inconvenience, with many 'false dawns' along the way. In a document to the government, the couple previously said: 'The cost to the public purse must be considerable in terms of government, council and police resources. 'We, the Smiths, have suffered hugely financially, emotionally and physically by this process and sincerely hope, this will now lead to resolution.' The Hunters were unavailable for comment.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Rail station lift entrapments lasting more than 75 minutes nearly double
Incidents of people being trapped in railway station lifts for more than 75 minutes have nearly doubled in two years, new figures show. Disabled people's charity Transport for All described being stuck in a lift as a 'terrifying experience' and called for Network Rail to be 'accountable for their failures'. Some 125 incidents were recorded in the 12 months to the end of March, analysis of Office of Rail and Road (ORR) data by the PA news agency found. That was compared with 67 in 2022/23. Many passengers – such as those with disabilities, pushchairs or bulky luggage – are advised to use lifts at stations where available rather than stairs or escalators because of the risk of falls. Average response times to lift entrapments increased from 44 minutes in 2022/23 to 51 minutes two years later. Over the same period, the number of incidents of people being trapped in lifts for all durations rose from 573 to 712. Lift faults have also become more common, jumping from 8,233 in 2022/23 to 9,587 in 2024/25. The statistics relate to stations owned by Network Rail, which is the vast majority in Britain. Cat Whitehouse, head of communications and engagement at Transport for All, said: 'Lifts at stations give us the freedom to get around safely, they're essential for many of us, as disabled people. 'Network Rail has failed in their duty to maintain lifts, harming and even trapping thousands of disabled passengers – a terrifying experience for anyone. 'The Office of Rail and Road must hold Network Rail accountable for their failures, so we can all trust that we're safe on our railways.' A spokesperson for lobby group Campaign for Family-Friendly Trains said: 'Being stuck in a lift with your child or baby is a nightmare scenario. 'It's even more stressful if your child is hungry, tired or needs a nappy change. 'Broken lifts are a source of huge stress for parents – often women – solo travelling with young children, resulting in dangerous manoeuvres with a buggy down stairs or relying on the kindness of passing strangers for assistance.' Nearly two out of three (6,053) recorded incidents of lift faults in the year to the end of March were attributed to 'wear and tear'. Some 2,200 were blamed on 'misuse and vandalism', while 1,334 were because of a problem that was 'external to the lift system'. There were 1,351 lifts at 515 stations at the end of March, an increase of 59 lifts from a year earlier. Among the stations fitted with new lifts in 2024/25 were Anniesland, Glasgow; Hartlepool, County Durham; Ludlow, Shropshire; Theale, Berkshire; and London Bridge. An ORR spokesperson said it will closely monitor Network Rail's progress in delivering measures set out in an improvement plan. He added: 'The rise in serious incidents, including people being trapped in lifts for extended periods, shows that urgent action is needed.' A Network Rail spokesperson said it has 'overhauled' its maintenance and inspection contracts for lifts, and invested £3 million in the year to April to 'target some of our worst-performing lifts'. She went on: 'On average, our lifts are available 98% of the time, but we know that's not always the experience for those who depend on them – and that's not good enough. 'If a lift breaks down with someone inside, our priority is to understand any specific needs, keep them informed, and support them in continuing their journey. 'We'll be speaking directly to Transport for All to take on board any feedback that can help us improve further.' London Fire Brigade figures show there is a general increase in the number of people being trapped in lifts. The brigade responded to 6,670 incidents in the year to the end of May, up 8% from 6,165 in the previous 12 months.
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Find a way to live with swooping seagulls, Scots told
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