Latest news with #MartinSmith
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Moment fly-tipping couple are caught dumping piles of rubbish on country road - as pair are fined £3k
This is the moment a fly-tipping couple dumped piles of rubbish on a country road - before claiming they didn't know it was illegal. CCTV cameras installed along a rural lane near Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire captured the pair dumping cardboard, plastic and spoiled food on two separate occasions. The dim-witted duo arrived in a white van and unloaded the rubbish, which was traced back to a commercial business. Their van's registration number was in plain view of the camera - making them easy to identify. They were quickly traced by Wiltshire Council's environmental enforcement officers, who asked them to explain their actions. But the couple, from Swindon, claimed to be unaware that it was illegal to dump their waste in this way. It didn't pass muster with Wiltshire's enforcers, who issued them with fixed penalty notices worth £3,000 amid an ongoing war on fly-tipping in rural hotspots. The fines have since been paid in full. The couple's identities have not been disclosed. Wiltshire Council says it has also recently fined a man £1,000 after removing bags from his car and leaving them behind. He claimed he forgot them by accident after taking a cigarette break. Another said he had dumped rubbish because he couldn't book a slot at the local recycling centre. But Cllr Martin Smith, the council's cabinet member for highways, street scene and flooding, said there was no excuse. 'Fly-tipping is not only unsightly, it is also illegal and we are committed to tackling those who choose to dump their waste in this way,' he said. 'Anyone caught fly-tipping can be ordered to pay a £1,000 fixed penalty notice or be taken to court, where they could face an unlimited fine or imprisonment. 'As part of our We're Targeting Fly-tippers campaign in Wiltshire, we not only fine or prosecute offenders but also to educate people in the correct way to dispose of their waste. 'In this case, the business owners should dispose of their waste through registered waste carriers.' It comes after another fly-tipper who dumped a bed at the side of a road was fined thousands of pounds after being caught red-handed. Litterbug Naiffisa Abba was snapped leaving the bedroom fixture and other trash at a notorious fly-tipping spot in Queensbury Park, north-west London. In the images, released by Brent Council, Abba can be seen struggling to haul the single divan base across the road before lobbing it next to bags of rubbish. The litter lout's actions, captured on camera in March 2024, have now seen him hit with a £4,600 fine. Abbas, of Wembley, was convicted at Willesden Magistrates' Court, where a judge slapped him with a further £2,000 to the initial penalty because he failed to attend his hearing. The prosecution is part of a major clampdown by Brent Council on fly-tippers, who have been blighting the streets in recent years. London continues to be gripped with a fly-tipping epidemic - while England faces its biggest illegal dumping crisis in 20 years. Bosses at Brent say they 'won't accept' fly-tippers, with council chiefs insisting they have 'ramped up' efforts to bring 'selfish' crooks to justice. Its campaign, dubbed 'Don't Mess With Brent', has seen a number of secret cameras installed at known hotspots, which are being used to catch litterbugs. So far, the effort has led to the council issuing 30 per cent more fines as a result. As well as installing covert surveillance, more enforcement officers have been deployed to patrol the streets. Offenders are hit with £1,000 fines if officers uncover evidence of them being behind the fly-tipping, with the council warning crooks: 'We will catch you.' The crackdown was launched in 2024, with Brent declaring it would wage war on 'selfish litter louts' who had blighted the borough - which saw 35,000 reported cases between 2022-2023. The local authority added the crime costs it in the region of £1.5million to deal with each year.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Residents say kerb is causing a 'hubcap graveyard'
There are no safety concerns over what locals have described as a "killer kerb" that is creating a "hubcap graveyard", according to a council. The 35cm (13ins) trief kerb in Fisherton Street, Salisbury, is designed to stop vehicles mounting the pavement. Resident Tracy Beneke said she had witnessed it being hit several times a day, with the kerb now so notorious it has its own Facebook page. Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for highways Martin Smith said the kerb had always been there but was recently renewed, adding the safety of pedestrians was the "key concern" at the junction. Ms Beneke said the kerb was hit "several times a day every day", adding: "There used to be a hubcap graveyard just on the corner. "I think you could have built a whole new car out of the pieces we've seen." The kerb has been listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps and has multiple Facebook pages dedicated to it. Chad Lansdale set up one of the Facebook pages and said people have been divided in their opinions about the kerb. "You've got people saying it shouldn't be here. On the flipside, you have people saying 'it's a kerb, it's your own fault [if you hit it]'." He added: "There's big chunks taken out of it which would take quite a bit of force. People aren't just tapping it." Mechanic Geddy Porter has fixed damage on cars which have hit the kerb and said repairs can cost thousands of pounds. "We've had a few customers who have done the same thing," he said. "All on the bottom edges of the cars." Driving instructor Andy Woodger said driver error is behind the issue. "Don't put your car where your eyes have not been first," he added. "The way I would teach all my pupils is as they approach the give way to make the left turn is to keep the kerb in view," he said. "Either aim your door mirrors in line with the kerb or keep an eye on the kerb in your passenger side window." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The kerb is on a junction near Salisbury Railway Station which the council said was used by 11,000 motorists every day. Mr Smith said the trief kerb has been there a long time, but was renewed in 2024 to create a welcoming environment for pedestrians. He said a safety audit had been completed and there were no concerns about the position of the kerb for vehicles. "Trief kerbs are higher than a traditional kerb and are designed to prevent vehicles mounting the pavement and hitting pedestrians," he added. "They are an approved product for use in the public highway, used throughout both the county and country." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. See also The teenager 'fishing' to raise pothole awareness Villagers fear being cut off due to huge pothole Tyres and even wheels wrecked in pothole-pocked town Related internet links Wiltshire Council
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Residents say kerb is causing a 'hubcap graveyard'
There are no safety concerns over what locals have described as a "killer kerb" that is creating a "hubcap graveyard", according to a council. The 35cm (13ins) trief kerb in Fisherton Street, Salisbury, is designed to stop vehicles mounting the pavement. Resident Tracy Beneke said she had witnessed it being hit several times a day, with the kerb now so notorious it has its own Facebook page. Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for highways Martin Smith said the kerb had always been there but was recently renewed, adding the safety of pedestrians was the "key concern" at the junction. Ms Beneke said the kerb was hit "several times a day every day", adding: "There used to be a hubcap graveyard just on the corner. "I think you could have built a whole new car out of the pieces we've seen." The kerb has been listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps and has multiple Facebook pages dedicated to it. Chad Lansdale set up one of the Facebook pages and said people have been divided in their opinions about the kerb. "You've got people saying it shouldn't be here. On the flipside, you have people saying 'it's a kerb, it's your own fault [if you hit it]'." He added: "There's big chunks taken out of it which would take quite a bit of force. People aren't just tapping it." Mechanic Geddy Porter has fixed damage on cars which have hit the kerb and said repairs can cost thousands of pounds. "We've had a few customers who have done the same thing," he said. "All on the bottom edges of the cars." Driving instructor Andy Woodger said driver error is behind the issue. "Don't put your car where your eyes have not been first," he added. "The way I would teach all my pupils is as they approach the give way to make the left turn is to keep the kerb in view," he said. "Either aim your door mirrors in line with the kerb or keep an eye on the kerb in your passenger side window." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The kerb is on a junction near Salisbury Railway Station which the council said was used by 11,000 motorists every day. Mr Smith said the trief kerb has been there a long time, but was renewed in 2024 to create a welcoming environment for pedestrians. He said a safety audit had been completed and there were no concerns about the position of the kerb for vehicles. "Trief kerbs are higher than a traditional kerb and are designed to prevent vehicles mounting the pavement and hitting pedestrians," he added. "They are an approved product for use in the public highway, used throughout both the county and country." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. See also The teenager 'fishing' to raise pothole awareness Villagers fear being cut off due to huge pothole Tyres and even wheels wrecked in pothole-pocked town Related internet links Wiltshire Council
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Residents say 'killer' kerb is causing a 'hubcap graveyard'
There are no safety concerns over what locals have described as a "killer kerb" that is creating a "hubcap graveyard", according to a 35cm (13ins) trief kerb in Fisherton Street, Salisbury, is designed to stop vehicles mounting the Tracy Beneke said she had witnessed it being hit several times a day, with the kerb now so notorious it has its own Facebook Council's cabinet member for highways Martin Smith said the kerb had always been there but was recently renewed, adding the safety of pedestrians was the "key concern" at the junction. Ms Beneke said the kerb was hit "several times a day every day", adding: "There used to be a hubcap graveyard just on the corner."I think you could have built a whole new car out of the pieces we've seen." The kerb has been listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps and has multiple Facebook pages dedicated to Lansdale set up one of the Facebook pages and said people have been divided in their opinions about the kerb."You've got people saying it shouldn't be here. On the flipside, you have people saying 'it's a kerb, it's your own fault [if you hit it]'."He added: "There's big chunks taken out of it which would take quite a bit of force. People aren't just tapping it." Mechanic Geddy Porter has fixed damage on cars which have hit the kerb and said repairs can cost thousands of pounds."We've had a few customers who have done the same thing," he said. "All on the bottom edges of the cars." Driving instructor Andy Woodger said driver error is behind the issue."Don't put your car where your eyes have not been first," he added."The way I would teach all my pupils is as they approach the give way to make the left turn is to keep the kerb in view," he said."Either aim your door mirrors in line with the kerb or keep an eye on the kerb in your passenger side window." The kerb is on a junction near Salisbury Railway Station which the council said was used by 11,000 motorists every Smith said the trief kerb has been there a long time, but was renewed in 2024 to create a welcoming environment for said a safety audit had been completed and there were no concerns about the position of the kerb for vehicles."Trief kerbs are higher than a traditional kerb and are designed to prevent vehicles mounting the pavement and hitting pedestrians," he added."They are an approved product for use in the public highway, used throughout both the county and country."
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Cars are so big one in six drivers with garages CAN'T park in them
Modern cars have grown in scale so much that drivers are struggling to park their motors at home, This is Money reveals. New research from Aviva has discovered that one in six garage owners can't use it for shelter for their vehicles because they simply won't fit inside. The insurer estimates that the dimensions of today models are 22 per cent larger than they were 20 years ago - something that's led to a third of drivers saying they would be discouraged from buying a larger vehicle in the future. A garage is usually seen as a luxury to have but, although more than a third of UK drivers have access to one, 42 per cent are choosing to park on their driveway instead. For more than a fifth of drivers, the logic behind this counter-intuitive behaviour is that their garage is difficult to park in, with 16 per cent believing that their car is too big squeeze inside. As a result, Aviva's research of 1,344 motorists aged 17 and over found that two thirds of garage owners use the space primarily for storage instead. Martin Smith, Motor Claims Manager at Aviva, said: 'It's interesting to see that garage owners are favouring other locations for parking their car, which could in part be explained by the gradual increase in car size over the years.' As cars continue to swell in size, drivers are finding it increasingly taxing to park in general – whether that's on the road, in a car park, or on a driveway. Supporting the view that bigger cars may be more difficult to park, two in five drivers responding to the poll said they have misjudged the distance to an obstacle, and a quarter thought the area they were trying to squeeze into was too small. One in 10 said that they were still adjusting to their new car and its size. But it's not just cars getting bigger that are causing parking issues. The research suggests that drivers are struggling to park more generally, with a third attributing this to a lack of confidence. Three in ten also complained of feeling pressured by other drivers and more than a fifth claimed past parking mishaps have impacted their ability. Drivers now have access to a wealth of parking technology, with most showroom models sold with parking sensors, reversing cameras, 360 bird's-eye-view screens and even self-parking systems. However, this growing dependence on technology has left one in six have struggling to park without any of these aids. Transport & Environment says the wider cars are not only unable to park in on-street bays, they are leaving less room for other road users What are you most likely to hit when parking? Many drivers polled also admitted to coming a cropper when trying to park. The research found that people are most likely to drive into a wall (16 per cent), a bollard or lamp post (both 11 per cent), a parked vehicle (10 per cent), a fence or bush/plants (both nine per cent) and a garage (eight per cent). In almost half of the cases the damage was cosmetic, with dinged bumpers (39 per cent), cracked headlights (17 per cent) and dented wing mirrors (15 per cent) most common. WHERE IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PLACE TO PARK? Area or manoeuvre % of drivers who find parking difficult in this place Anywhere I have to parallel park 20% A car park they are not familiar with 19% A multi-story car park 19% On-street parking 12% Anywhere I have to bay park 15% A car park/ driveway 7% each In a garage 6% 8% of claims in 2024 were for bumps and scrapes but Aviva found that more than a third of drivers didn't report this to anyone Despite bumps and scrapes accounting for eight per cent of all claims in 2024, Aviva found that more than a third of drivers didn't report this to anyone – a condition under most insurance policies and in some instances, a legal requirement. Smith says: 'Many of us will unfortunately experience bumps or scrapes on our cars in our lifetime. 'If this happens, it's important to let your insurer know. 'Failing to do so could result in you being unable to make a claim, as this is often a condition in most insurance policies. 'In some instances, you may also need to let the police know about your collision under the Road Traffic Act.'
