News Desk

Shop’s lorry parks in road after bollards put on pavement

A Gloucester shop’s delivery lorry was photographed parked in a busy main road unloading after the council stopped them from parking on the pavement.

Bollards were installed[1] outside the Biedronki shop to stop “dangerous” parking on the pavement by the lorry and customers, at the beginning of the month on June 5.

The Polish grocery shop in Barton Street[2] has been caught up in a parking row since December, after an elderly man collapsed[3] trying to squeeze past the parked vehicles crowding the pavement.

Read more: Shopkeeper receives racist comments over parking row[4]

Concerns were also rained for pram and wheelchair users who were forced to cross the blind and busy bend.

The shop’s general manager Michael Radoszko, 35, has been against Gloucestershire County Council’s actions to install bollards there without an accessible loading bay for his shop.

The lorry was photographed in the carriageway at 3.45pm on Thursday, June 17, by a frustrated resident who claims it was there for 15 minutes.

Get the biggest stories from across Gloucestershire straight to your inbox, click here[5]

Cars were seen queuing on either side of the lorry on the bend, having to take turns driving around.

This comes after the council advised the shop to have their delivery vans park behind a nearby bus stop away from the narrowest part of the road.

‘Very very dangerous’

Biedronki shop
‘I fear for the drivers,’ said a concerned resident (Image: Ebrahim Moosajee)

Resident Ebrahim Moosajee, who lives opposite to the shop, said: “It was very busy. I saw cars coming up both lanes. They were having to wait either side of the lorry for cars to go past on each side.

“That was worse than before when the bollards weren’t there because it was actually blocking the road, can you imagine if emergency services had been there? That was a p*** take, to be honest.

“There’s no respect from the driver and the shop knows he has parked there so there is no consideration from the shop again. They’re disrespecting council regulations where they have offered them space to park just behind the bus stop.

“It’s very very dangerous, I fear for the drivers now. People can walk around. My concerns are more for the drivers now who have to stop on the road, just to wait for this lorry to go past.”

Shopkeeper fears having to close shop

Michael Radoszko, general manager of Polish grocery shop Biedronki in Barton Street
Michael Radoszko was advised to have his delivery lorries park behind this bus stop (Image: Samuel Port)

Biedronki shopkeeper Mr Radoszko said the delivery driver was unaware of the new rules. He claims the driver delivered three pallets of stock and was there for ten minutes.

Mr Radoszko said: “We are still waiting for a response from Highways [Gloucestershire County Council] to find a solution safer for everybody and we will teach our delivery lorries to park as safely as possible.

“If not, I am very worried I will be forced to close the store and over 20 people will lose their jobs.”

‘Risk to human life and limbs’

Before and after bollards were installed infront of Biedronki (Image: Ebrahim Moosajee)

Councillor Usman Bhaimia (L, Barton and Tredworth) said: “The council should have negotiated with the shop beforehand.

“But I do not support deliveries like this, it is a risk to human life and limbs. I don’t want anyone to get hurt there. The parking there is wrong.

“When planning permission was originally given to the shop, they should have taken into consideration the parking problem. It’s a risk to passers-by, the pedestrians.”

The unit space the shop now inhabits was originally designed as a car show room.

‘We will closely monitor the area,’ vows council

Delivery lorry parked on carriageway outside Biedronki shop in Barton Street
The council says it will continue to work with the community (Image: Ebrahim Moosajee)

Gloucestershire County Council has vowed to “closely monitor the area” after they saw the pictures. The local authority said unattended lorries on double yellow lines “can affect visibility” for pedestrians and road users.

A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson said: “In line with the current restrictions, loading and unloading activity can take place outside of the peak hours of 8am-9am and 5pm-6pm.

“We have advised that an area next to the bus stop may be more suitable as it is away from the narrowest section of the road, whilst parking considerately to maintain access for local bus services.

“Lorries should not be left parked and unattended on the yellow lines however, as this can affect visibility for passing traffic and people crossing the road.

“Now the bollards have been installed and lorries are stopping in the carriageway, we will closely monitor the area to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists and will continue to work with the local community to see what else can be done to help.”

References

  1. ^ were installed (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Barton Street (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ elderly man collapsed (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Shopkeeper receives racist comments over parking row (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ click here (http)

News Desk

A1 south of Grantham blocked southbound after collision between car and lorry

Traffic is building up south of Grantham following a collision between a car and a lorry which has blocked the southbound carriageway.

The incident happened between the B6403 (Woolsthorpe/Easton turn off) and the A151 (Colsterworth services) earlier this afternoon.

Traffic is queuing as far back as Little Ponton.

A collision has blocked the A1 southbound south of Grantham. (48361463)

A collision has blocked the A1 southbound south of Grantham. (48361463)

A collision has blocked the A1 southbound south of Grantham. (48361463)

The AA says there are delays of 35 minutes and delays are increasing.

News Desk

‘Aggressive’ BMW driver overtook lorry before slamming on brakes in front of it

A man drove his BMW car “aggressively” on a rural road, overtaking a 44-tonne HGV lorry then slamming on his brakes in front of it.

A court heard the potential for damage in any accident on the main Denbigh[1] to Ruthin road was “huge”.

Mark Morris, 35, today pleaded guilty at Llandudno Magistrates Court to driving without due care and attention in the incident on the A525 in Llandegla.

READ MORE: Picture shows aftermath of serious barn fire caused by grinder sparks[2]

Magistrates disqualified Morris from driving for six months and fined him £162.

Prosecutor Julia Galston told the court that Aled Davies had been driving his 44-tonne vehicle in the Llanrhaeadr area on August 13 last year.

She said he became aware of a blue BMW in his rear dashcam “swerving” in the road and trying to overtake him.

The prosecutor said he eventually crossed the double white lines on a bend and overtook him.

She said: “Mr Morris then slammed the brakes on” causing Mr Davies to brake.

The court heard that someone in the BMW’s front passenger seat then wound down their window and made “gestures” at the lorry driver.

Further along the road, the lorry stopped and Morris in the BMW also stopped at the Drovers Arms pub.

“The defendant ran down the road and shouted abuse (towards Mr Davies),” said the prosecutor.

The prosecution played two clips from the lorry’s front and rear dash cameras to the court showing the incident.

Ms Galston said the “potential for damage was huge”.

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Chris Dawson, defending, said his client, of Lynton Ridge, Llandegla, initially believed that the lorry driver was the “villain of the piece”.

He accepted that it was “inappropriate” for Morris to go over the double white lines to overtake the lorry and it had been “aggressive” driving.

However, Mr Dawson added: “Whatever the potential for an accident resulting from Mr Morris’s manoeuvres in fact there wasn’t an accident and no-one was injured.”

The solicitor said any driving ban would cause Morris, who has five dependent children, “exceptional hardship” as they live in a rural location and need to attend appointments.

Both Morris – who has three forklift truck and excavator driving licences – and his partner gave evidence to back up this claim.

But chairman of the bench Peter Campbell noted the aggressive manner of driving on a road with a “high level of traffic”.

He handed the defendant the ban adding: “We do not find that you have demonstrated exceptional hardship – rather, inconvenience.

“This is down to the fact that there is another adult (his partner) available to drive.”

He added that arrangements can be made with the NHS for patients to go to any hospital appointments.

Have your say on this story in the comments section.

References

  1. ^ Denbigh (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  2. ^ Picture shows aftermath of serious barn fire caused by grinder sparks (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  3. ^ Caernarfon (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  4. ^ Llandudno (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  5. ^ Mold (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  6. ^ click here (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  7. ^ North Wales Court Reports Facebook group (www.facebook.com)

News Desk

Hawker Hunter leaves Fort Paull on journey to its ‘spiritual’ home at the historic Hornby headquarters in Margate

The Hawker Hunter XF509 being loaded on Thursday at Fort Paull near Hull on the start of her journey to Margate Pic: Alex WoodThe Hawker Hunter XF509 being loaded on Thursday at Fort Paull near Hull on the start of her journey to Margate Pic: Alex Wood

The Hawker Hunter XF509 being loaded on Thursday at Fort Paull near Hull on the start of her journey to Margate Pic: Alex Wood

Lyndon Davies, chief executive of Hornby, bought the Hawker Hunter XF509 for £14,000 at auction earlier this year and plans to use it as a tribute to employees who died in recent times.

The aircraft was once fixed on a pole outside the Humbrol factory on Hedon Road in Hull, which closed in 2006.

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It later moved to the military museum at Fort Paull to the east of Hull until that closed last year.

The plane which stood outside for decades is now in a hangar at Manston in Kent, where she will stay temporarilyThe plane which stood outside for decades is now in a hangar at Manston in Kent, where she will stay temporarily
The plane which stood outside for decades is now in a hangar at Manston in Kent, where she will stay temporarily

Hornby owns brands including Hornby model railways, Scalextric, Humbrol and Airfix – which makes exactly the same kit version of the classic British jet aircraft.

The planes – which some believe were among the most beautiful ever made – entered RAF service in 1954 and still provided training support almost 40 years later.

Flight specialist for Hornby Hobbies Michael Clegg watched on as the plane was removed from its plinth and hoisted onto the back of a lorry for the start of the journey to Manston airfield in Kent, where it will be getting a bit of “TLC” before moving to Hornby’s headquarters in Margate.

The plane arrived at Manston on Friday morning and is now standing on her own wheels and under cover in a hangar for the first time in decades.

Auctioneer Andrew Baitson (pictured) sold the plane to Lyndon Davies earlier this yearAuctioneer Andrew Baitson (pictured) sold the plane to Lyndon Davies earlier this year
Auctioneer Andrew Baitson (pictured) sold the plane to Lyndon Davies earlier this year

The former RAF airfield played part in history as Meteor jets – the first Allied jet in service – flew from there in WW2.

The XF509 – which started out with 54 Squadron in 1957 and ended its career with No. 4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley – has its own 1:48 scale model.

Mr Clegg said: “She was a little reluctant to leave her plinth at first – she quite likes it here in Hull.

“She’s going to get some TLC (at Manston) and by the time we get her to Margate we’ll have a proper position for her.

The Hawker Hunter leaving Fort Paull on its journey to Manston, then Margate Pic: Michael CleggThe Hawker Hunter leaving Fort Paull on its journey to Manston, then Margate Pic: Michael Clegg
The Hawker Hunter leaving Fort Paull on its journey to Manston, then Margate Pic: Michael Clegg

“Lyndon Davies has done this out of the goodness of his heart – it shows how great a boss he is and how he cares about his staff.

“The people we lost really knocked us for six. This is a nice way for us to physically remember them.

“At the moment the intention is to display her at her traditional home in Margate, the old Hornby Hobbies factory, which used to make the trains.

“We have gone back (there) in the last couple of years – gone full circle to our spiritual home and this is where it will end up hopefully.

“We are all excited at the prospect of having her come home.”

News Desk

No further action to be taken against couple seen ‘naked and having sex’ in park

Police will be taking no further action against a couple that were seen ‘naked and having sex’ in a park earlier this week.

The amorous pair were first caught[1] near the brook in Sunny Brow Park, Gorton[2], at around midday on Wednesday afternoon by horrified parents.

An image shared on social media appeared to show a man and woman completely nude and engaged in a sex act underneath a tree.

READ MORE: Man died after walking onto M60 into path of lorry, inquest hears[3]

A woman who witnessed the pair while walking her dog wrote on Facebook[4] : “Just when you think you’ve seen it all! Just walking the dog in Sunny Brow Park only to see a couple completely naked having sex! Only in Gorton!”

She later told the M.E.N: “There were a group of women there who also witnessed it, when I spoke to them they said I had missed the bit where he had her bent over!”

It is understood the incident carried on for several hours.

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At around 2pm, witnesses claimed they saw the couple continuing to have sex in an even more public area of the park near the children’s playground.

It was at this point Greater Manchester Police[6] were called.

The couple, believed to be aged in their 30s, were arrested on suspicion of outraging public decency.

A spokesperson for GMP said ‘the complainant in the case didn’t want to make a statement so there will be no further action’.

References

  1. ^ amorous pair were first caught (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ Gorton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  3. ^ Man died after walking onto M60 into path of lorry, inquest hears (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  4. ^ Facebook (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  5. ^ here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  6. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

News Desk

Man died after walking onto M60 into path of lorry, inquest hears

An inquest has opened into a man who died after walking onto the M60 motorway into the path of a lorry.

Jan Kocurek, 45, was seen on CCTV accessing the motorway near junction 17, close to Whitefield and Prestwich, at 11am on Saturday, April 24.

He then walked into the traffic from the hard shoulder, an inquest opening at Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard.

A Ford Transit was travelling clockwise passing under the bridge of Bury New Road when it collided with him in lane two. A lorry then hit joiner Mr Kocurek in lane one.

The motorway was closed from around 11.30am until around 6pm[1] after the crash, with the air ambulance landing at the scene.

READ MORE: ‘Why did you drive away?’: Driver who left grandad to die spared jail[2]

Married Mr Kocurek, of Berkley Court, Bury Old Road, Salford, was critically ill in Salford Royal Hospital until June 4 when he died.

Assistant coroner for Manchester North, Julie Robertson, adjourned the hearing until January 18 next year but said the the evidence would be reviewed on October 11.

The air ambulance leaving the scene

That evidence would include an overview from Mr Kocurek’s GP, mental health services and a post mortem examination report, she said.

Following the announcement of Mr Kocurek’s death, police appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.

Sergeant Andrew Page, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Despite the best efforts from hospital staff to save his life, Jan sadly passed away and our thoughts are with his family who are understandably devastated.

“We’ve been carrying out a number of enquiries since this collision happened and we’re continuing to ask any witnesses to come forward with information that may assist us with our investigation.

“Anyone who may have seen the collision, has dash-cam footage or perhaps saw the man prior to the collision is asked to call 0161 856 4741.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Helplines and websites

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at [email protected][3] , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

For support for people feeling suicidal, if you are concerned about someone or if you are bereaved by suicide see http://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk[4]

CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They’re open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief. www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk[5]

Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Beat Eating Disorders: Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. These helplines are free to call from all phones. Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Studentline: 0808 801 0811, Youthline: 0808 801 0711. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk[6]

Anorexia & Bulimia Care: ABC provide on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders, those struggling personally and parents, families and friends. Helpline: 03000 11 12 13. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/[7]

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org[8]

For information and links to charities and organisations that can help with substance abuse, visit https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/[9]

References

  1. ^ motorway was closed from around 11.30am until around 6pm (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ ‘Why did you drive away?’: Driver who left grandad to die spared jail (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  3. ^ [email protected] (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  4. ^ http://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk (t.co)
  5. ^ www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk (www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk)
  6. ^ www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk (www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk)
  7. ^ www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/ (www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk)
  8. ^ studentsagainstdepression.org (www.google.com)
  9. ^ https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/ (www.supportline.org.uk)