Herald - Issue 419

Page 70 • The HERALD • 17th February 2022 v WE’VE BEEN YOUR LOCAL SINCE 1994 v Long established family business • MOT TESTING • SERVICE & REPAIR FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS • CLUTCHES • DIAGNOSTICS • CAMBELTS • SERVICE TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATION • FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY • USED CAR SALES 128-132 Calmore Road, Totton. SO40 8GQ 023 8086 4424 www.calmoreservicestation.co.uk 023 8084 9370 Prospect Place, Hythe SO45 6AU • MOT’ s • MOT R epairs • A ir C on • A uto E lectrics • S ervicing •W elding • D iagnostics • S uspension • T yres • C lutches • C am B elts • B rakes BRITAIN’S POTHOLE PANDEMIC Admiral Motor Insurance has released data which reveals that claims for pothole damage have increased by 39% since 2016 . Lorna Connelly, Head of Claims at Admiral, said: “15th January marked National Pothole Day and anyone who drives will be familiar with that sudden ‘clunk’ from roads that are plagued with potholes. But potholes are more than just an inconvenience, they can also cause costly damage to your vehicle. Our data shows that the number of claims for damage caused by potholes has increased by 39% since 2016 – and the cost will probably only go up as our vehicles become more advanced and costly to repair. January, February and March is the worst time of year for pothole claims, with over 57% more claims made over this period than any other season, as road surfaces become unsettled by cooler temperatures. Pothole pockets can quickly open up, especially if the weather has been bad, which means they might not have been there the last time you took that route. Keep a sharp eye and slow down – swerving can be more dangerous! If you think you’ve hit a hum-dinger, get out and check for damage at the safest opportunity. Take photos of the pothole and the damage to your car and consider taking your vehicle to a mechanic to check for damage. If you have Comprehensive cover, claiming for pothole damage through your insurer should be a straightforward process, but it can affect your no claims bonus and you may need to pay an excess. You can always try to claim compensation for any damage caused to your car, through whoever is responsible for the road you were driving on, although there is no guarantee you will be successful. To help, we’ve created a step-by-step guide explaining how to claim compensation for pothole damage”. Visit: www.admiral.com/magazine/ guides/motor/how-to-claim- for- pothole-damage for more information. Road surfaces can become unsettled in cooler weather Totton & Eling Carnival Plans are underway to make Totton & Eling Carnival 2022 the best one yet! With plans postponed for the last couple of years the organisers are keen to make this year’s carnival one to remember. Would you like to get involved? If so they are calling out for volunteers, parade walkers and floats, stall holders and arena entertainment . ey are also looking for sponsorship from local businesses should you prefer to stay out of the limelight! e day will kick o at 12noon with stalls and entertainment at Eling Recreation Ground and the Carnival Procession will leave Calmore Industrial Estate at 4pm , arriving at Eling Recreation Ground at 5.30pm where judges will announce the winners. So get the date in your diary – Saturday 18th June, Totton & Eling Carnival is not to be missed! If you would like to get involved email: tottonandelingcarnival@gmail.com Work tomake Ipley Crossroads, in the New Forest, safer has been completed by Hampshire County Council. is £500,000 scheme to create a realigned staggered junction, has reopened. Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, the County Council’s Executive Member for Highways Operations, said: “I am pleased that the main important improvement works have now been completed and thank people for their patience. There are some further signs to go up alerting road users to the change of road layout and those will be going up as soon as possible. I would ask drivers travelling in the area to be aware of the revised road layout and to continue to watch for cyclists and the livestock, who will have grown used to having the road to themselves without any traffic. We have worked closely with our partners at the New Forest National Park Authority, The New Forest Verderers, Natural England and Forestry England to get this high priority safety scheme implemented and I would like to thank all involved.” e improvements include: • e relocation of the western section of the junction (Yew Tree Heath Road) 50 metres south of its existing junction on Beaulieu Road, creating a clearly de ned ‘stagger’ to the existing crossroads layout. • e removal of the ‘STOP’ line and signs, and replacement with standard ‘Give-Way’ signs and roadmarkings to suit the new road layout. • e installation of a traditional ‘ nger post’ at the new junction and refurbishment of the existing post. For more information visit the scheme web pages: www.hants.gov. uk/ t ranspor t / t ranspor t s cheme s / ipleycrossroads Ipley Crossroads Made Safer