An Insurance Company that Doesn't Want to Pay Out. Help us get justice.

HOME INSURANCE. Home insurance that gives you peace of mind.

EVERY DAY MATTERS

Yes, having insurance should give us peace of mind - but with Legal and General it has given us anything but. They have turned down a claim for water ingress due to storm damage to our flat roof from two storms, one in January and the other at the end of March. 

And this was after previously accepting it; but they now say the weather was calm from March through to June and that we had plenty of time to get it fixed.  

That's not true; it was anything but, and I am looking for justice as the roofers replaced our roof as soon as they possibly could: on 6th July. Help, please.  Can you remember the bad weather then? We need plenty of corroboration as L&G have simply stated that their decision is final despite evidence to the contrary.

The Met Office cites a storm at the end of March, with slightly calmer weather beginning in the third week of April, although it was still generally showery. May was considerably better although the third week was unsettled, as was most of June.

So, this very important question: do you remember what the weather was like between April and June? Here is a photo taken in Hampshire on 22nd June, when the average rainfall for the whole of June fell in under two days.

 However, Legal and General declare that the weather was calm from March onwards, saying we failed to mitigate the damage. But roofing contractors can't work in the rain and they had a lot of work to catch up with. They did our roof as soon as they possibly could.

Declined - Accepted - Declined

 We had two household claims: one for damage to the kitchen ceiling due to faulty shower sealant in the bathroom above, and the other for water ingress caused by storm damage to our flat roof.

A contracted surveyor came at the beginning of July, immediately after we had had the roof fixed - and turned both claims down.  He said there was no evidence that there was any damage to the roof, so there was no claim.  Of course there wasn't; we had just had it fixed and we couldn't make a claim until we had done so.

He then said the kitchen ceiling damage was not covered under the policy, but I wrote to the company, referring to the policy document which clearly states that leakage through faulty sealant is covered - and they reversed their decision.

At the same time they accepted the claim for the storm damage as I had "mitigated any further damage by having the roof replaced."

Water ingress doesn't happen immediately

The thing to remember is that it is not possible to make water ingress claims immediately anyway, as water takes time to seep through, a fact seemingly ignored by the very people who should know: the independent surveyors employed by L&G.

This claim must be settled! L&G won't admit when they are wrong

So here is a case where insurers refuse to acknowledge that they are wrong.  I wrote to them by Recorded Delivery on 9th September, explaining to them why their decision was completely unacceptable; but they failed to reply. It was only because I was able to talk to a member of staff about the other claim that I discovered that their letter was final.  

This is a very clear case of Might is Right; but I say justice should be done and should appreciate your support.

• Please comment on your recollections of the weather between March and June.
• I should also appreciate comments on any similar experiences you may have had.

Cheaper to Self-insure

 The accepted claim for the kitchen ceiling and the declined one had a repair estimate of about £1,300, far less than our premiums over the ten years we have been with Legal and General. And now they have increased our premiums by 20% and imposed a £250 excess on any future claims - despite turning the bigger claim down.

LET'S HAVE JUSTICE

Vote Leave against Vote Remain

A friend said she voted Remain for these reasons. My response is under Vote Leave below:

Vote Remain because:
1) The EU is not undemocratic-90% of decisions are made by member states /elected MEP not unelected bureaucrats.
How democratic are we by the way - 37% of the population voted in the current government. The House of Lords is unelected.  We have our own unelected bureaucarts making decisions - Ever watched Yes Minister??PM.
Vote Leave

Between 50% and 60% of all laws are made in Brussels and our MEPs have little influence as the laws are decided by unelected bureaucrats.

The argument is made that our House of Lords is also unelected, but bills can be returned to the House of Commons if they are defeated by the Lords.

Yes, only 37% of the population voted in the current government but the first past the post system was confirmed democratically in a referendum conducted by the coalition government.

2) Turkey is not about to join - it does not and has never and is even less likely with its less secular gov to join.

Vote Leave

Turkey will be a member by 2025

David Cameron's policy has always been to admit Turkey as a member as soon as possible, although much of the country lies outside the continent of Europe and they don't share our culture or beliefs.  It is only now that he is running scared that he is saying that they won't join until the year 3000! The next seven states to join the EU will be Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey. Turkey has been fast-tracked and will get visa-free access to the EU from this year. Citizens of all these states will have the right to settle in the UK.

3) The tabloid press - Express Mail Sun owned by Murdoch has his own agenda for leaving- he said -paraphase I want to leave because I can control Westminster but not Brussels I find that very alarming though entirely unsurprising.
Vote Leave

The tabloid press will NEVER control Westminster. Murdoch just makes these statements to sell papers. 

4) The days of the great British Empire are gone.  We are not a super power. We are a tiny island with a tiny population in comparison To US Russia China India. The single market really does give us the best deal. The alternative is to keep in it but have no control over any rules or be a very small fish in a big sea the world is not the same place it was 40 years ago. 

Vote Leave

We are the world's fifth largest economy.  In fact we were the fourth until Blair and Brown dropped us one place.  We  have some of the highest growth and lowest unemployment rates in the developed world, not to mention the EU. We also receive the most foreign investment in Europe.  Leaving the EU will improve our quality of life.  With its right to make deals restored, the UK will be able to gain better access to those markets that buy most of our goods and services.

Our language, English, is the international language and we are a member of the Commonwealth, with which we shall be able to deal fully once more.

5) Does anyone really believe all the money is going to go into the NHS? - the cost of re-negotiating all our trade agreements and totally restructuring our legal system will probably suck up much of that.

Vote Leave

There is no answer either way to this question, but there is no doubt that money will be saved. That £350m plastered over the Vote Leave bus is somewhat misleading as it is just what we pay the EU each week.  Yes, we get a large amount of it back, but the point really is that we shall be able to make our own decisions on how to spend it without the shackles of the EU.

6) There is a very long list of politicans worldwide and economic experts who think we should stay viz Farage and Johnson and Gove  each with their own political agenda........
Vote Leave
Actually, the support of world politicians has obviously been orchestrated by Downing Street.  It is evident that Barak Obama was actually reading a note from Downing Street when he said we'd go to the back of the queue, instead of using the American 'line'.  This also true of all the support from big business leaders who, it has emerged, have been offered deals and honours for supporting the government, and from military chiefs.

Regarding facts

Both sides have been guilty of hype.  I have mentioned Vote Leave's £350m; and there is the dreadful immigration poster put out by Nigel Farage and disowned by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.  However,  the Remain campaign was rightly named Project Fear. Just three of the claims are: 1) Brexit would mean the end of Western civilisation 2)It would lead to World War 3. 3)Britain will be devastated.

Oh and for me as a Christian I am voting Remain because I personally believe it is what Jesus would do - his creed of love one another does not sit well with me in terms of xenphobia and distrust of anything not British - he wouldn't have liked the corruption and undemocracy but I think he would have stayed and tried to change.

Vote Leave

This just doesn't hold water at all. Brexit does NOT mean turning our backs on the world. In fact, it means embracing the whole world after having deserted the Commonwealth forty years ago.  Indian doctors working here have been refused renewal of their visas because they're not European, and they are having to go home to the detriment of the NHS. Brexit means we can ex;pand our cooperation with other nations and oversees aid will continue, although many of us believe that there are many needy people at home who need it more than corrupt governments abroad, but that's for another day.

Why I Voted to Leave the European Union

I used to think that the status quo would be better.

I liked the idea of an EU passport and driving licence and being able to share the same basic laws and freedoms, which gradually developed from the Common Market I voted for in 1975.  The idea of free trade across Europe appealed to me.  I have always said that we have a lot in common with our European neighbours and I have always enjoyed travelling around the continent.  In the '50s my best friend at school was a German which, would you believe, surprised some people.  

But what we have now is very different

However, that Common Market is developing into a bureaucratic superstate, where corruption is rife and its books have not been balanced for nineteen years running. Between 50% and 60% of all laws are made in Brussels and our MEPs have little influence as they are decided by unelected bureaucrats.

The argument is made that our House of Lords is also unelected, but bills can be returned to the House of Commons if they are defeated by the Lords.

The government made a "deal" with the EU - but it is not guaranteed.  The renegotiations have to be presented to the European parliament for approval - after we vote to stay in - so they could be rejected by 700 MEPs who don't particularly like us due to our hovering on the edges of the EU for years - after we have voted to Remain!!  Some new laws are deliberately being held back until after the Referendum; and the "emergency brake" on migrants' benefits expires after seven years.

Our Forces under EU  command

Under the 2009 Lisbon Treaty the EU is creating integrated European military forces - a 'common security and defence policy'. The EU Naval Force, EU Air Transport Command, EU  Military Staff, battle groups and rapid reaction forces already exist.  Generals Sir Michael Rose and Lord Guthrie, who were persuaded by 10 Downing Street to sign a 'better off in' letter with other defence chiefs, have now withdrawn, with the former saying he was coerced into doing so.

The EU is collapsing

Its Euro currency doesn't work, its borderless regime - the Schengen Agreement - is breaking up, the migrant crisis is overwhelming and European solidarity is coming to an end.  On 24th February Greece withdrew its ambassador from Austria.  The EU wants our weight and money to try and shore things up and prevent other countries from leaving. 

The EU-US trade agreement threatens the NHS

A trade agreement being negotiated in secret between the EU and the USA (TTIP) will open up the NHS to US corporations, who apparently be able to sue for access to our health services.

Turkey WILL be a member by 2025

David Cameron's policy has always been to admit Turkey as a member as soon as possible, although much of the country lies outside the continent of Europe and they don't share our culture or beliefs.  It is only now that he is running scared that he is saying that they won't join until the year 3000! The next seven states to join the EU will be ~Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey. Turkey has been fast-tracked and will get visa-free access to the EU from this year. Citizens of all these states will have the right to settle in the UK.

A Southampton to be built every year

If we remain in the EU it will be necessary to build a new town the size of Southampton to accommodate the immigrants.  And it is inevitable that it will get worse due to the admittance of even more countries.

I am not opposed to immigration; in fact I'm pleased to say that I am married to one.  However, the policy of an Australian or Canadian style points system is much fairer.  Various Indian doctors have told me that they are unable to stay in the UK because of preference given to unqualified immigrants from Eastern Europe. We are thus losing staff from the NHS at  a time we can least afford to.  Government policy has endorsed EU rules by making it more difficult for non-EU students to study  here, thus badly affecting our  universities.

IF WE VOTE TO LEAVE THE EU

We shall continue to trade freely with Europe and the World

It won't take 'years' to negotiate a trade agreement with the EU. We are their most valuable customer. As a former CBI chief said, we could have all the trade deals we need "within 48 hours". 

The love affair between David Cameron and Angela Merkel might be souring, but we Brits can't get enough of German goods - the UK has just recorded its largest ever trade deficit with Germany.

Germany has long been our largest trading partner, both in terms of exports and imports. But between August and September increased by £200m taking it to an all-time high of £4.9bn.

We shall stop 'free movement' and control our borders fairly

We can save billions of pounds to fund the NHS

Our food will be cheaper

The Eu makes our food about £45 per month more expensive for the average family, according to the IEA. Professor Patrick Minford of Cardiff University predicts that food prices would fall 8% "on day one" after Brexit.  Also, the EU is considering VAT on our food, medicines and children's clothes.  We should also be able to recover our fisheries and save millions of fish having to be dumped at sea because of EU rules, although this is supposed to be coming to an end by the end of this decade.  However, being able to fish in our own territorial waters can only happen if we leave the EU.

So let's be on the safe side - outside the EU.

The EU failed in Yugoslavia, provoked a war in Ukraine, can't control its borders or manage the migrant crisis.  Security experts say the reason a Paris-style terrorist attack hasn't occurred in the UK yet is because we are an island and can police our borders - up to a point. We have the best secxurity and intelligence services in Europe by far.

 

Fryern Arcade Landlords have bottle Bank Removed

This morning when I went to the bottle bank at Waitrose, Chandler's Ford I found it was full:

So I went over the road to the one behind  the Co-op and this is what I found:

This is where the bottle bank behind the Chandler's Ford Co-op used to be.  Now it's just parking.

I therefore wrote ton the council and this is what they wrote back:

Good afternoon Mr Read

Unfortunately, the landlords of Fryern Arcade will no longer allow us to site a bottle bank in their car park.  We have been able to arrange with the Co-op to place some smaller public glass bins on their land and these will be delivered in the next couple of days. 

We apologise that the bottle bank at Waitrose is full and confirm this will be emptied tomorrow.  We appreciate that the absence of the bank in Fryern Arcade has put additional pressure on the Waitrose site.  Unfortunately, we did not receive sufficient notice of removal to be able to make immediate alternative arrangements or post notices regarding the relocation of bins but hopefully the situation will be resolved shortly.

Kind regards

Waste & Recycling Team

Eastleigh Borough Council

Tel: 023 80688440

recycling@eastleigh.gov.uk

This means, of course, that the bottle bank at Waitrose will fill a lot more quickly as the small bins at Fryern won't compensate fully.  It'll therefore be necessary to keep a close watch on this situation, which I shall do.

Save the United Kingdom

Canvassing with Steve Brine in Chandler's Ford

Yes, I've returned to the fold!!  Early last year I left the Conservatives and joined UKIP, as I felt they had become the true Conservatives.  

However, a few months ago I realised how incredibly dangerous it would be to split the Conservative vote in the General Election - now in just two days time - so I rejoined the party to which I had belonged since the age of 18, as a Young Conservative.  I am really terrified of a left-wing grouping  that could destroy all the work the Coalition has done to rebuild the economy over the last five years.

And I also value the work our local (Winchester) Conservative MP  Steve Brine has done.  Here in Chandler's Ford, the resurfacing of the M3 has drastically reduced the traffic noise, as well as making it a much more comfortable drive. In addition to transport issues, he has campaigned successfully on school places and the local NHS. And he is an effective MP at Westminster. 

The Conservative led coalition has given:

• Competent leadership
• Employment at a record high
• Tax cuts for workers and savers
• The offer of a seven-day NHS
• Pensioners being allowed to keep benefits
• Benefits cap leading more into work
• 2.8% rise in growth

An unforgivable mistake

In today's Daily Telegraph Ian Duncan Smith says that anyone considering backing UKIP is making an"unforgivable mistake." 

And this is exactly why I returned to the Conservatives. He says UKIP voters will be ruining their chance of getting to vote on Britain's membership of the European Union if the Conservatives aren't returned.  IDS  has always been very Eurosceptic and voted for a referendum back in 1993.  Like me on the doorstep he says to Ukip voters that the only way we'll get the referendum is to have a Conservative government.

None of the other parties will countenance a referendum, so a vote for Ukip could prevent a Conservative government from being elected, hence no referendum.  An unforgivable mistake, he says.

A left-wing government

I am terrified of our having a left-wing government consisting of Labour, SNP and Greens.  Although the polls predict that the Tories will be the biggest party after Thursday's election, with the support of the SNP, Miliband could still become Prime Minister despite having fewer MPs than Cameron.

This would feel to voters that the election had been stolen from them.

A rag-bag of left-wingers with demands for more spending, leading to more borrowing and higher taxation, would be a nightmare.  Nicola Sturgeon will also demand that we give up our nuclear deterrent, and defence itself will become subject to more cuts than under the Coalition.  We mustn't forget that we have a resurgent Russia on NATO's borders and which is also making pacts with Argentina regarding the Falklands.  

And we have a real threat from ISIL, which would be compounded by Miliband's policy of banning "Islamophobia," thus through inference making any reference to Islamic extremism a criminal offence.  People will find it impossible to report suspects.

Labour governments never have worked.  The Conservatives have always had to clear up their mess.

Destruction of the UK?

But there is one mess they could make that would never be cleared up: Scottish independence and the breakup of the UK.  Miliband says it would never happen if he were prime minister - but with up to 50 MPs the SNP could force another referendum leading to the possible destruction of our 300 year old Union.

In Eastleigh, Mike Thornton had a majority of 1771 at the by-election in 2013.  His vote was just 13,342, while the combined UKIP and Conservative vote was 22,130.  

Ukippers, please think very hard about this.  The only way to vote is Conservative to keep the LibDem out and get our EU referendum.  AND TO PRESERVE THE UNITED KINGDOM

Traffic Nightmare in Chandler's Ford

Oakmount Road closed between Constantine Avenue and Hillcrest Avenue

Despite saying that they were closing the road between Carisbrooke Crescent and Constantine Avenue in one go, the contractors have been more sensible and done it in two stages.  Oakmount Avenue is now closed between Hillcrest Avenue and Constantine Avenue.

However, this has caused a tremendous traffic jam southbound along Winchester Road and Bournemouth Road.  The only practical way into Southampton from Chandler's Ford is up Winchester Road to Junction 12 of the M3.  There is also a considerable delay for traffic heading towards Junction 5 of the M27, with a queue the length of Stoneham Lane/Stoneham Way and also right along Twyford Road and Southampton Road up to Junction 5.  It's apparently caused by roadworks between J3 and J7 of the M27.  So - a nightmare all round, which suggests bad planning there as well as with the Oakmount Road work.

Surely the answer to the Oakmount Road work would have been to close one side of the road at a time and regulate the traffic flow by traffic lights.  I should like to know who masterminded this shambles and shall be doing all I can to find out.

Oakmount Road - the Saga Continues

 The Oakmount Road roadworks are back on again despite my having been told that they had been abandoned due to complaints and the weather.  The road is closed between the junctions with Carisbrooke Crescent and Constantine Avenue until 4.30pm

The man who was so helpful on Wednesday was abusive this morning when I tried to ask what the arrangements were, telling me to get off the road or he would call the police.

I had to ask several of the contractors just which section was to be closed and I got a different answer from each one, finally ending up with a definitive answer:  "between Sites 1 and 2."  I finally worked out that it is closed between Carisbrooke Cres and Constantine Ave.  They blame the Council for the confusion, but I'm sure it's not as simple as that.

Oakmount Road: Rain Stops Play - or is it Too Many Complaints?

There will be no more roadworks in Oakmount Road, at least for the time being.

The contractors got as far as the barrier shown in the top photo, which is just beyond Bodycoats Road opposite Seymour Close and then called it a day citing too many complaints. They stopped work at 4.30 this afternoon.  However, they did also say that the forecast was rain for the rest of the week.

Although the Highways Agency man I was speaking to this morning said that the road would be open on one side to enable residents access, it is clear from the lower photo that this was not the case.  In fact, the contractors were complaining when residents removed the cones in order to get through and threatened that they would be reported to the police.  The two lorries were placed side by side to prevent vehicles from passing.

At this stage it is not clear just who is responsible for making such a mess of these roadworks, but Councillor Davidovitz is looking into it.  What is certain, however, is that residents were not notified as to what was to be closed and when.  Notices should have been placed clearly on lampposts so everyone affected would have been able to take appropriate action.

Half-term was chosen to minimise disruption but, if the work is to continue, it will not now be possible until Easter.

Oakmount Road - At last a Pattern Emerges

Oakmount Road is closed today between Carisbrooke Crescent and Oakmount Avenue.

This morning I spoke to a man driving a Highways Maintenance van, who told me  that this section would be completed today and the rest of Oakmount Road will be done in sections on Thursday and Friday.

One side of the road to be closed at a time.

I asked him whether the entire road in each section would be closed at the same time and he said no, just one side.  However, that doesn't appear to be the case at the moment. But he says that Mount Drive residents will definitely be able get in and out.

Improved Signage

Yesterday Councillor Davidovitz asked for the contractors to provide improved signage to make sure that residents understand just how they are affected, so I inspected Oakmount Road from where it is closed at its junction with Carisbrooke Crescent up to Winchester Road - and this is what I found:

A Road Closed Ahead sign at the junction with Constantine Avenue, the same as yesterday.

And then I drove up to the junction with Winchester Road and found these signs:

 Oakmount Road with Winchester Road running across the top

 Turning right from Winchester Road into Oakmount Road

What diverted traffic? I assume these are in place for later in the week.

A sign in Oakmount Road itself, just before its junction with Peverells Road

I'm not sure that this is improved signage but at least we now know that Oakmount Road is to be closed in sections and only one side of the road at a time.  But we don't know how the contractors will inform residents in the top part of Oakmount Road, who park their cars at the kerb.

Oakmount Road Closure

Councillor Davidovitz has spoken to highways officers and they will contact the Contractor regarding concerns about the inadequate signage I reported to him

This is the note Cllr Davidovitz received in advance of the work and which he passed on to local Councillors and the Parish council:

I am writing to you to inform you of my intention to carry out joint sealing works on Oakmount Road, Chandlers Ford between Winchester Road and Leigh Road junctions. The works are currently programmed to commence on Sunday 15 February and are expected to last for 5 days. These repairs to the carriageway are taking place to seal the current surface from water ingress and other such elements. The works will be taking place under restricted hours of 9:30 – 16:30 and will be separated into 3 phases to limit the inconvenience to the residents and business owners in the vicinity.

Whilst the joint sealing is carried out, every effort will be made to minimise disruption to highway users, although for Health and Safety reasons much of this work will require a road closure. Delays are to be expected but there will be gatemen on site to help with any problems.  As much notification will be provided to the public as possible via signage erected on the road. As previously mentioned, the overarching programme is extensive and changes to dates and times are likely, and often at short notice. The pre warning signs will be updated as soon as possible to help inform the travelling public.

Should you have any queries or require further information please call the contact centre on 0300 555 1388 or email operation.resilience@hants.gov.uk

We can see that they say above that the work was due to start on Sunday but the signs put out said Monday:

Oakmount Road - Don't Know Where; Don't Know When

Work is taking place at the bottom of Oakmount Road south of Oakmount Avenue this morning.

Presumably the heavy rain yesterday stopped the work so it has continued this morning. There is a diversion through Oakmount Avenue and Ford Avenue to Leigh Road.  

There is a warning sign at the junction of Constantine Road and Oakmount Road to warn of the closure ahead.

Hampshire County Council says that, although what signs there are clearly state that the whole of the road will be closed between 9.30am and 4.30pm for the five days this week, they have no idea where or when various sections of the road will be closed. "Any sections open will be a bonus."  County Councillor Colin Davidovitz will therefore look into the matter and advise as soon as possible.  He will ask the contractors, Amey, to provide adequate signage and to say when and where the various sections of the road will be closed.

Oakmount Road

This shows a tiny notice at the junction of Bodycoats Road that gives information about the road closure.  However, it can only be read by pedestrians and is not visible to motorists, which is why we failed to see it although driving in and out of this road very regularly.  There is also one in Hillcrest Avenue but nothing in Oakmount Avenue and I couldn't see anything in Carisbrooke Crescent or Beresford Road while passing.

The council has failed to contact me so I still have absolutely no idea how they are going to proceed with these roadworks.  It is a complete shambles and the rain today has only made matters worse.

Oakmount Road Update!!!

At 9.30 this morning Oakmount Road appeared to be open as usual so I phoned the Council - Hampshire Highways - on 0300 555 1388 and was unable to get through to the people who are dealing with these roadworks, so I left my contact details so they could return my call.  They gave the Reference 21142287. 

Later, we had to go into Eastleigh to do some shopping and were confronted with this at the junction with Oakmount Avenue:

However, when we returned home it was raining and the road was open as usual and the Highways Department still haven't returned my call.

It would have helped if the Council had stated that they were intending to repair the road in segments and explain which parts would be closed and when.

Oakmount Road, Chandler's Ford Closure

Oakmount Road to be closed in its entirety from tomorrow

We have just discovered that Oakmount Road, Chandler's Ford is to be closed from tomorrow - Monday 16th February until Friday 20th February during the times specified above.

We have driven past this sign near the bottom of Oakmount Road and two others quite a few times but the only way I was able to discover what was on it was to park in front of it.  There are no signs on roads at their junctions with Oakmount Road, such as Hillcrest Avenue and Bodycoats Road, advising of this closure.  Thus I fear that many residents will be totally unaware that Oakmount Road will be closed.

This is what the Liberal Democrat run council says hidden away on its website:

BOROUGH OF EASTLEIGH 

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14 

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF OAKMOUNT ROAD, CHANDLERS FORD 

By arrangements made under section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 

with Hampshire County Council, notice is hereby given that Eastleigh Borough 

Council proposes to make a temporary closure order pursuant to the 

legislation above as the Council is satisfied that traffic on the road(s) below 

should be restricted because works are proposed to be executed on or near 

the road, the effect of which is detailed below.

Roads to be Closed:  (There is only one road to be closed)

Oakmount Road, from its junction with Leigh Road to its junction with 

Winchester Road 

Alternative Route: 

Leigh Road, Bournemouth Road, Winchester Road, and its reverse. 

Reason for Closure: 

To allow Hampshire County Council to carry out carriageway repairs 

Period of Closure: 

The order will be effective from 02 February 2015 for a period of 6 months; 

notwithstanding this it is expected that the closure will only be in place for a 

period of 4 days. The work will be completed in phases, during the spring half 

term and/or Easter school holiday. 

The closures specified above apply only during such times and to such extent 

as indicated by traffic signs prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations & 

General Directions 2002. 

DATED: 16 January 2015

(Any enquiries, please contact Hampshire Highways on 0300 555 or

email roads@hants.gov.uk)

I am very disappointed that the council has made so little attempt to advertise such an important road closure.

Mardi Gras - Shrove Tuesday

Last Saturday, 20th September, the LibDem run Eastleigh council celebrated Mardi Gras, which is the last day of the carnival that precedes Lent. Lent, of course, starts on Ash Wednesday, 44 days before Good Friday, and Mardi Gras is the French for Fat Tuesday.  To us it is better known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.

Traditionally, households would use up their sweet and fatty food before starting the austerity of Lent - the ritual fasting, so they made pancakes, and there was often a carnival. 

This year Shrove Tuesday was on 6th March, but for the third year running Eastleigh Council have held this event on a Saturday in September.  Is this because 44 days later it is Hallowe'en?  

Hallowe'en, of course, has both Christian and Pagan connotations, the former being All Hallows Eve, 1st November being All Saints Day,  and the latter being a Celtic festival.  So the question is: have our LibDem Council deliberately shunned a Christian festival to link up with Hallowe'en, which could be considered Pagan?

Or are they just ignorant?  Do they just not know or care that Mardi Gras is Shrove Tuesday?  And do they not know when Shrove Tuesday is?  Or could this be a hint that Christianity has to be pushed to one side, and not ignorance at all?

A Confusing Letter

I received this letter from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester the other day, and I am sure I can be forgiven for thinking that they thought I had asked for my appointment to be changed.

I telephoned them and was told that this is a standard letter and, in fact, the appointment had to be changed due to sickness: theirs, not mine! Why couldn't they have said so???  To me, the use of "we confirm" suggests that they thought there had already been contact between ourselves, and that could only have been my request for a change.

WH Smith with Post Office in Chandler's Ford

Here is the new WHSmith in Fryern Arcade, Chandler's Ford, which opened last Friday, and which now houses the Post Office.

Late opening post office till

At the moment it has no book section, although the manager says that one will be added very soon; and he mentioned another very useful facility: there will be an extra post office till alongside the shop's counter and which will be open all the time the shop itself is open, which could be as late as 7pm on weekdays, all day Saturdays, and even for a while on Sundays.

I particularly like the very comprehensive magazine section, which we have had nowhere in Chandler's Ford since Alldays closed about six years ago.  And since the demise of the bookshop it's good to know that we'll have the facility to order any books not carried in stock once more.

As for the old post office, in three weeks time a butcher's will be opening there, a welcome replacement for the one that used to be in The Mall on the opposite side of Winchester Road.

Don't Renew Your Driving Licence Online. It's not worth the hassle

I have just tried to renew my driving licence online and, judging from my experience, it's just not worth the hassle.  I thought I'd do it that way in order to save the postage and also because I thought it would be quicker.

But I couldn't have been more wrong!  The paper form has just a few questions to fill in - but I soon discovered that the online version goes on and on.  It even asks for my passport and National Insurance numbers, the former of which, of course, I had to look up.

And when I finally got to the end it THEN informed me that I would have to download "the application completion form" and post it to the DVLA.  So I was required in effect to complete the form twice - and with more information. And still post documents.

I had to take a break from the computer then as I was required to do something else.  When I got back I discovered that I had been logged out and couldn't download the form.  I tried to log in again but it wouldn't accept my password and it locked me out.  They had sent me an e-mail telling me to download the form, but I couldn't even log in via that.

So I ended up phoning DVLA and getting them to cancel my online application.  And I then took just a few minutes to complete the form they had sent me by post.

So don't be deceived by the DVLA.  They still insist on paper for driving licence renewals.  And it makes me wonder how many people will be stopped after October for allegedly driving without valid car tax even though they would have done it online.

Just one more thing: during the online rigmarole you are informed that you have to cut your (expiring) driving licence in two and return it to the DVLA because you are not allowed to have two driving licences!  But you won't have two because one is expiring.

By the way: the counterpart also has to be returned.

A Nice New Post Office - but a poor future for mail collection and delivery.

This is the new Post Office that will be opening in Fryern Arcade, Chandler's Ford a week today - on Friday 29th August - in a new branch of WH Smith, which is replacing the old bookshop and the dry cleaners. That sounds good, but what about the future of mail collection and delivery?

BUT THERE WILL BE NO POST OFFICE COUNTER SERVICE IN CHANDLER'S FORD ON THE MORNING OF FRIDAY 29th AUGUST. The new post office will open at 1pm having closed at the usual time of 5.30pm in the current location.

Many Chandler's Ford residents will remember when the post office was located in the building now occupied by the beauticians opposite the Co-op in Winchester Road.  At that time, of course, there was also a post office in Bournemouth Road. The Fryern post office was then located in Circle K/Sperrings at the top of Oakmount Road before moving to Fryern Arcade. And at that time the Bournemouth Road branch was closed.

WH Smith have incorporated many post office branches into their stores, so we should be grateful both that they are opening one of their branches in Fryern Arcade, and also that they are enabling the post office to continue to provide a counter service when they are reducing their mail collection and delivery.

The letter box at the top of Bodycoats Road now shows the following:

So the recently privatised Royal Mail could be collecting mail just once a day and as early as just after 9am! Thus next day delivery for most people will be a thing of the past.  And a new notice at the post office in Chandler's Ford says:

It used to be collected at 5.30pm. Now it is 20 minutes earlier.

Royal Mail have announced that these changes are taking place as a part of restructuring, to replace the collections currently being made after 4pm.  They now say that boxes will be emptied between 9am and 3pm to enable postmen to empty them as part of their daily rounds.

But the postmen are already very overstretched, our mail being delivered by a different postman virtually every day and any time between 9am and 4pm.  There is no consistency and we  get mail for several of our neighbours - bundled together, that is - pushed through our letter-box, presumably because the postman is too busy to deliver it himself.

And this happens nearly all the time.

This post contained confidential letters which, if opened by a criminal, could have been used for identity fraud.  I have complained to the post office and to individual postmen, some of whom hardly speak any English.  On of them just laughed at me and others said: "I'll see that mail is delivered correctly to you," but had no intention of doing so to our neighbours.  Royal Mail has a contractual obligation to deliver mail to the addressee and not leave it accessible to anyone else. 

The problem with  Royal Mail has been caused by the European Union who made the government open up all mail delivery to competition.  Other companies creamed off the most profitable parts, leaving Royal Mail to deliver to the door, both urban and rural.  The amount of mail sent has been falling fairly consistently due to e-mails, so it is more and more difficult for Royal Mail to make a profit.  the last straw was when the Coalition ill-advisedly privatised them.  

There is currently a legal requirement for Royal Mail to have post boxes within half a mile of 98% of homes, but they could still close tens of thousands of them.  And if they still can't make a profit it is inevitable that this law will be changed, so I can see the day not too far distant when the only way to send and receive mail will be to take it and collect to or from a branch of WH Smith. 

LibDems Still Peddling Their Deception

This is the latest opinion poll for how Eastleigh intends to vote in the next general election.  UKIP  have a very clear lead; and bear in mind that it is for a General Election.

This suggests that we have a very good chance of winning next year and of securing a respectable number of Borough Council seats on May 22nd this year.  The LibDems, however, are using rhe results of the last Borough elections 2 years ago when UKIP were not yet a force to be reckoned with.  These 2 year-old figures are in their latest Focus, which also accuses UKIP of "opposing improvements to local schools and wanting to axe support for the police"

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

• In fact UKIP say there aren't enough school places!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The LibDems seized on the fact that ONE UKIP county councillor - out of the 10 on the county council - voted with the Conservatives in one motion not to spend money on schools.  The other 9 voted AGAINST
• With regard to "wanting to axe support for the police, again the opposite is true.  This is what UKIP say:

NO, UKIP just want to save Eastleigh :Police Station.  Keith House, LibDem leader, claims police officers only use it to sit drinking tea. What an insult to the police! However, on the streets a shopkeeper is murdered  a man is robbed at knifepoint and homes are burgled.  LibDes want to close the police station and use the "savings" to recruit more PCSOs.  So, in LibDem speak, "UKIP saving the police station" means ""scrapping PCSOs."  Unlike Keith House, UKIP values both the police station and PCSOs.