14th September 2023 • The HERALD • Page 69 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v VAUXTECH LOCAL GARAGE Tel: 023 8086 9496 Unit 5, New Forest Enterprise Centre, Totton, Southampton SO40 9LA LOCAL GARAGE EST 27 YEARS • Servicing & Repairs • MOT’s (arranged) • Brakes • Clutches • Tyres • Air Conditioning • Collection & Delivery Locally Friendly & Reliable Onsite Café Facilities All Makes & Models PLEASE DON’T PARK ON PAVEMENTS Parking on pavements puts everyone using the pavements at risk. Drivers o en mistakenly think they are doing the right thing by keeping the road clear but fail to realise the consequences of their vehicle blocking the way for people using the footpath. e reality is that a seemingly harmless act of parking on pavements, even for a short time, puts people in danger, making them feel vulnerable and at risk. When there is not enough room to get past, a person is forced to step out onto the road into oncoming tra c. e risk is heightened in particular for people who are visually or hearing impaired, people with mobility issues using wheelchairs and mobility scooters, those pushing prams, children, older people and those who have dementia and autism. Parking on the pavement at a junction also blocks the view for drivers emerging from a side road, by causing an obstruction, making them unable to see oncoming vehicles, including cyclists and motorcyclists or perhaps even pedestrians. Councillor Alan Alvey, Chairman of the Parish Council said: “No one would ever intentionally block anyone’s path if they needed to use the pavement, however, some drivers are unknowingly doing that in Fawley Parish. Please would drivers be considerate and check that footpath users can easily get past on the path”. If you are blocked by a vehicle from using the path you can report this to the police by phoning 101 or by making a report at www. hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/ report-antisocial-behaviour Obstruction of the footpath is an o ence and contrary to Regulation 103 of e Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. With record temperatures in Europe and record wild res across the world, particularly Hawaii and Canada, it’s a good time to think about how individual and collective action can help to reduce and mitigate the impact of climate change. WaterCAN’s website is up and running at e-voice.org.uk/watercan, and is full of useful advice and updates or join the Facebook page. A reminder that WaterCAN’s next information session is on Thursday 12th October at Brinton Lane Community Centre 7pm to 9pm, when local horticultural expert, author and television personality John Trim will be talking about gardening through the year, with a focus on the bene ts for good physical and mental health. All welcome. On 13th November, Shaun Russell will give a talk titled “Observing Climate Change: e Earlier Arrival of Spring”. Shaun is a retired environmental scientist whose talk will illustrate how our changing climate is a ecting the lives of the plants and animals with whomwe share our planet. Shaun will bring along a recently discovered nature diary that turns out to have been written by a relative of Charles Darwin. e unique record covers almost threequarters of the last century, during which “the earlier arrival of spring” has become increasingly apparent to us. Time and venue to be con rmed in the next issue. Friends of the Earth have just issued a guide to simple measures we can all take to combat climate change. Details are on their website and suggestions include cutting out our use of single plastics and eating more plant-based meals. Meat and dairy production causes around 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and exitarianism, with a balanced diet of plant and meat-based meals, is becoming increasingly popular. And nally, did you know that mixing co ee grounds with sand strengthens concrete? Me neither. Waterside Climate Action Network (WaterCAN) Update by Mike Smith
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