09/12/2011 South Today

Hello, I am Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's

programme... We're at the scene of a large

hospital fire in Winchester tonight. Staff and patients have been moved

out. No through road. Why the new

Hindhead Tunnel was completely closed just months after its grand

opening. Helping heroes to regain their

lives. The dogs giving injured service personnel a new lease of

life. When the guns go quiet on the battlefield, the battle with

disability and bereavement are beginning for so many.

And the Christmas message in a green bottle from the recycling bin

Scores of firefighters are tonight tackling a major fire at one of the

South's main hospitals. Ten appliances and three vehicles with

aerial ladder platforms were sent to the Royal Hampshire County

Hospital in Winchester after a blaze broke out in the building

housing the MRI scanner. Roads around the hospital are closed. We

can join Steve Humphrey. Bring us up to date. This is a major

emergency at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

There is a huge amount of emergency services activity. If I move around,

you can get some idea of the number of people involved. We are told 100

firefighters are on scene and a lot of people from the ambulance and

police. This started in the MRI building, which is just behind me,

at around about 4pm. Firefighters saved the managed to contain the

fire quickly, but there was an evacuation of people. We were told

that some patients were in the middle of operations at the time I.

55 people were evacuated from do It areas affected. That included the

intensive care unit. They have been moved to a safe area in another

part of the hospital. And patients in the middle of operations have

already been moved. The Accident and Emergency department is closed

at the moment. So no admissions at the moment. Just joining me is

someone from the fire and rescue Service. I think you came here

around about four o'clock this afternoon? Yes. The MRI section was

well alight and was threatening to impinge on the main hospital.

was the main priority? Fortunately, the hospital had evacuated, so we

could prioritise getting some water on that fire to extinguish it.

big emergency. You have people from across Hampshire? Yes, nearly 100

firefighters. We have surrounded the fire and had a four sided

attack. A lot of the work is still being done, but we still have a lot

of work to do. And no casualties? No. We have a lot of ambulances and

the aerial response team standing back. I am pleased to say, we have

no casualties, which is fantastic. Thank you. We were told by the

hospital Accident and Emergency is likely to be closed until at least

a moral and people are being advised to stay away from the area.

Romsey Road is closed. If you look up here, it is clogged with

emergency services vehicles. We have more later and more on the

late bulletin at 10:25pm. For now, from the Royal County Hospital,

back to the studio. Thank you. We will talk to you later in the

programme. The controversial plans to spend

more than �30 million of council tax payers' money on building a

hotel at Hampshire's Rosebowl cricket ground have taken a new

tonight. Within the last couple of hours, Eastleigh Borough Council

has announced it won't just be building a hotel. It's going to buy

the whole of the Rosebowl ground, stadium and all. Chris Coneybeer is

here. This is a dramatic development. The

council had already committed itself to spending �32 million on a

new hotel. Now it will spend an additional �6.5 million on the

whole of the Rosebowl site. The Rosebowl will then pay rent to the

council. A short time ago, the leader of the council told me why

they see it as a great deal for the borough.

But its very much alongside other investments we have made over the

last few years. -- it fits. We have acquired sites, shopping centres,

hotels, with strong rental income we have been able to use to protect

services from public sector cuts, produce more income and keep

council tax down. It keeps within that way of doing things.

Why does the Rosebowl want this development? And why does Eastleigh

council want to be involved? idea is to make the Rosebowl more

attractive and therefore a more profitable cricket ground. They

want to build a big new hotel on the site with 175 beds. That is

along with a conference centre and 18-hole championship golf course.

The council says it wants to be involved, because the project would

benefit its local tax payers. They say it would create 500 jobs,

secure others and generally have a positive economic impact on the

area. And why does the Rosebowl need all this?

The ground itself does need a significant boost financially. The

latest figures show the Rosebowl made a loss of getting on for

�900,000 last year. That is nearly double the loss of the previous

year. So it needs to attract international and Test match

cricket and top events. And that is where they feel these developments

could help. We have followed this and it has been controversial

throughout. Very much so. The plans at one stage were challenged by

hoteliers, who tried to get the decision overturned by the courts.

But they ultimately withdrew that challenge after reaching an

agreement with the council that their concerns have been listened

to. What were described as appropriate measures were taken to

address those concerns and ensure the viability of the project. But

there does remain opposition. Earlier I spoke to the leader of

the minority Conservative group. The idea is all right, the ideas of

right. But this is outside of the function of local Government to

fund, build and operate a hotel. -- the idea is all right.

So what happens now? This new revised plan wll go to the full

council next Thursday. If they approve it, work on the hotel will

start early next year and should be finished in 18 months. The we shall

watch with interest, thank you. A 27-year-old man, who has been

charged with the murder of a baby girl, has been remanded in custody.

Jerome Edwards, who is from Midhurst, will appear at the Hove

Trial Centre on 20th January, when he will enter a plea. Crystal Hall

Hummell, who was from Worthing, died at St Thomas's Hospital in

London in May earlier this year. It has been open for less than five

months. But last night, the Hindhead Tunnel had to be closed

completely after a power cut caused by bad weather. Thousands of

motorists were caught in the gridlock. The tunnel takes traffic

under the Devil's Punchbowl on the A3 London to Portsmouth road. The

Highways Agency says the three-hour closure was necessary because a

back-up generator also failed. A full investigation is underway.

Then mile long Hindhead Tunnel cost �371 million to build, with the

purpose to relieve a notorious bottleneck between London and

Portsmouth. Traffic has slowed since the end of July. But there

was a power failure last night and the back-up power generator did not

kick in, meaning there was no air ventilation at no lights were

switched on. The Highways Agency say closing the tunnel was a

precautionary measure, also saying diversions were put in place as

quickly as possible. But there was also a recognition that lessons may

be needed to be learnt. But last night's the ham is not a surprise

to residents who campaigned about closing the old stretch of the A3.

We would have preferred that parts of it was kept open. Thousands of

vehicles go through the tunnel each day. It was terrible, but I do not

think there was much that could have been done. Hopefully it will

get better. Obviously, it was not tested enough. There was lots of

traffic trying to go up through the Old A3. Because the sat navs

situation has not changed. There was a queue of lorries going

straight through as a normal. local residents I spoke to said

they hoped the tunnel will stand the worse whether that may be yet

to come. Talks over controversial plans to

build 2000 new homes on land at Barton Farm near Winchester will

continue into the new year. Councillors met last night to agree

proposals, despite earlier plans by a private developer being thrown

out by the Secretary of State. Winchester City Council says, while

the specific application by Carla Homes was rejected, Barton Farm is

still a preferred site. It is part of plans for 11,000 new homes in

parts of Hampshire over the next 20 years.

The Politics Show on Sunday will be talking about housebuilding and

homelessness. Peter Henley is with me now. It will be the final

edition of the Politics Show after how long? Nearly nine years, Sally,

since the first edition of our Sunday Political extravaganza.

Joining up Downing Street with your street used to be the slogan. We'll

be back at the same time in the new year with a new programme, new

approach and some new presenters. Hour will be there still. For this

last ever programme, I have look back over the last nine years that

housebuilding. It is one of the things talked about with so little

action. Waiting lists started at the beginning of the programme with

less than 300,000 and are now up past 500,000. That is because

prices have risen. But incomes have not. Good festive spirit as well?

Yes. Some towns are spending more on Christmas markets. But do they

just drag shoppers from one place to another or actually increase the

amount people spend overall? And what about towns who've cut back on

lights? We found one remarkable story of a local councillor in

Waterlooville who's spent �3000 of his own money to keep the fairy

lights burning. I immediately was enraged, because

I have grown up with Christmas festivities and decided that,

whatever happens, I am going to install lights. A whole scene,

including installation, is costing me about �3,000. That is a lot of

money. Yes, but think of the pleasure I will get seeing

everybody enjoying the lights. He is absolutely genuine. He has

spent that money and the council has matched sample stop -- has much

some. But will that money generate more trade? That's the question on

the last ever Politics Show. 12 midday Sunday on BBC One. I hope we

can stick to our time for your next job. Have a good show, thank you.

Still to come in this evening's South Today... Will Irish eyes be

smiling as the Exiles face crunch match across the English Channel?

It is called Hounds for Heroes. And it is a new scheme to train puppies

so they can help injured servicemen and women carry out basic tasks

likes shopping, opening doors and getting money out of cash machines.

The first six puppies are being trained up at the moment. Robert

Hall has been to Hampshire to see them.

Puppies on parade. This dog was named after a DD

invasion beach. Monty was named after Field Marshal Montgomery.

Another named after a soldier who fell in Afghanistan. And Flanders

and Colonel. And another named after a Red Arrows pilot this year.

Juno! 6 new recruits that could change lives. These puppies are

destined for the homes of those who have lost mobility and independence.

For now, it is the basics that count. The first simple commands

and the idea that doing something right will be rewarded with praise

and, perhaps, a treat. It is very rewarding and the past few months

are difficult, because that is when we are learning so much so quickly.

You see servicemen coming home on television, what they have been

through, especially those with serious injuries. I do not think

enough is done for them. initiative has been driven by a

former chief petty officer. Left partially paralysed after the Gulf

war, he says his chance encounter with one special dog gave him the

strength to fight back. His head injuries were so severe that he

remembered little of his past life and nothing of his wife and family.

That was before his labrador became his friend and helper. Little by

little, he regained his memory and his love for those dearest to him.

He brought me back to my wife and children in such a manner that,

having lost memories of my wife, we were remarried. He saved my life.

Today, the dog has been followed by another one, he is something of an

expert with buttons. Cash machines. And the weekly shop. Good boy. This

is life in the billing. 900,000 people could benefit from this. It

does not stop here. And it is to remind people, when the guns go

quiet, the battle with disability, trauma and bereavement are

beginning for so many. The new recruits have a fine example to

follow, achieving the standard will be a lot of hard work. But for the

dogs and owners, the awards are an ending.

Robert Hall on the new puppies. We had That doggie in the studio, an

absolutely amazing animal. Gorgeous and brilliant. They are superb. You

have all the sport for the weekend? Yes. A really busy weekend. The

cross country Championships in Europe. We can hopefully update due

on Monday. A full diary of football fixtures

this weekend, with all the teams in action. Reading have one of the

biggest games. Their meeting with second-placed West Ham at the

Madjeski Stadium is a sell-out. It is the first match to do so since

the Royals' days in the top flight. Noel Hunt and Joseph Mills were

back at training after injury. They should be in contention for the

game against the Hammers, who have the championship's strongest away

record. It is the kind of game you want to be in Bolton. They are

flying high in the championship and you expect them to have players to

play against. -- you want to be involved in. Look through their

teens and indications and look at the bench and they have top players.

-- their teams. But it is about us doing what we can do and respecting

them, but there is nothing to fear from our point of view.

Brighton have had a recent resurgence in form, winning their

last three league games. An injury- time goal was enough to upset

Nottingham Forest last weekend. But tomorrow, they head to

Middlesbrough for what is likely to be a much tougher challenge.

Middlesbrough are 4th, tipped for a top six finish. The Seagulls are

currently seventh. One of the toughest places at her. For us, it

is a nice challenge. -- toughest places abroad. But they have been

in the position, the Premier League, everything looks in their favour.

90 minutes of a football game, anything could happen.

Elsewhere in the Championship, top of the table Southampton were

defeated by stragglers Doncaster last week. As they felt the loss of

top scorer Rickie Lambert. Lambert is still an injury doubt for

tomorrow as they host Blackpool. And Portsmouth travel to Burnley,

seven places above them, buoyed by a 2-1 win against Coventry.

Some sad news for Portsmouth fans today. Former Pompey and England

footballer, Len Phillips, has died at the age of 89. He spent his

entire professional career at Portsmouth. He made 245 senior

appearances and scored 48 goals and won three caps for England. He was

a member of the Pompey teams which won the First Division title in

1949 and 1950. To round up the rest of the

fixtures, then. In League One, Bournemouth have a trip to

That is the scene of their play-off heartbreak back in May. Their

opposition are currently third. And Aldershot, who went out of the FA

Cup last weekend, host fourth- Crawley are still flying high. But

it is a big weekend in the League with the potential for upset. The

second placed Red Devils are pitched against fifth-placed Burton

Albion Bay. In another match at this weekend, it is first versus

third. The managers hoping the results will go in their favour.

They are statistics for 2011 a extraordinary, a very strong win

ratio. We have to keep that going, because that a Jew success. As a

single week goes, it is huge. -- because that brings you success. We

want things to go in our favour. And coverage on BBC local radio, as

always. London Irish play in France

tomorrow in a crunch match in the Heineken Cup. They go into their

clash against Parisian side, Racing Metro, bottom of Pool 2 having lost

their first two matches against Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Realistically, they have to win three out of their four remaining

games to stand a chance of staying in the competition. But the Exiles

are up for it. We know the challenge, we need to

win. We trained hard to give everything we can. It is not so

much Racing Metro's form which is daunting. The French side are only

one point ahead and lost their two previous Games. But the lack of a

salary cap means it is a side packed with internationals. We have

to watch out for those X Factor players. But as we had seen -- but

as we have seen this season, week after play as well as possible.

we respect them, of course, because of the quality of their players.

Their wage bill, and so on. But we are very competitive and up energy

can take you a long way. penalty kicker is currently the

Premiership's top points scorer, he was not here, an injury doubt. But

this match is billed about being more about tries than penalties.

Because it is do or die, you will see two teams going forward.

Whoever can do that the best and the clinical and make less errors

whilst going for it will come out on top. It is special and it will

be great if we can get that victory over France. And good luck to them.

There was an all-British fight in the Finn class at the World Sailing

Championships in Perth. Lymington's Ben Ainslie won the first race of

the day. He lost out to Weymouth's Giles Scott in Race Two.

Bournemouth's Ed Wright came third. However, the results mean Ainslie

once again leads the class overall. Some quick news. Monty Panesar was

named in their squad against Pakistan. Great for him.

Thank you very much. Christmas is just around the corner. Argue

having a clear-out in preparation for their presents? Do you recycle?

I do some of that. Well, people taking their rubbish to the

household waste and recycling centre in Hove over the next few

weeks may get more than they bargained for. Sean Killick went

along to find out why. People came to throw away their

rubbish, none expected this greeting.

SINGING. Come and recycle. A host of bin men singing carols

with the lyrics changed to promote a recycling message.

And a recycled DVD! The workers formed a choir. They

had to overcome some nervousness. Oh my God was the first official

thought, but we are getting on with it and having some fun. I like to

sing. We love a bit of karaoke. I was up on it. Workers also hope to

encourage people not to throw their Christmas waste into landfill bins.

After the Christmas period, there is a lot of packaging and materials

that people tend not to recycle. The choir was heavenly, to most

people. The Cancer Inc. Maybe slightly off-key. -- they can sing.

Fantastic. Made my journey enjoyable. They are in the festive

spirit. This is the first time doing this, but the plan to do next

year, recycling the songs. -- but the plan to do it next year,

recycling the songs. That is wonderful. I wonder what

Gareth Malone would think. Oh, all the wasteful, that is what we've

got. We should think of more. Put a smile on our face for the weather.

It is pretty good on Saturday. Not so good on Sunday.

What a difference a day makes. From the wet and windy conditions

yesterday to a calm sunny day at Lee-on-the-Solent.

Ken Gillam captured a little egret hunting in the sunshine at

Farlington Marshes near Portsmouth. And Tony Hughes from Chichester

captured the full moon in the clear skies as the sun went down this

Lovely conditions, but very cold conditions through the early hours.

Widespread frost. Where we have had some showers from the Bristol

Channel, the risk of some ice on untreated services. These are

values in towns and cities. In the countryside, or more than most

areas, maybe even lower. A chilly start tomorrow. Temperature

struggling to rise despite the sunshine. Some chances of showers.

And some just -- and some drifting in from the Bristol Channel. More

cloud tomorrow night. We have some clear spells down towards the South

and east, hovering towards freezing. Once again, the risk of ice. A main

band of rain arriving from the North West. A weather front will

slowly sink its way southwards and these words on Sunday. With it a

breeze, but not as strong as yesterday. -- eastwards on Sunday.

Clearing in the North and west by the end of the day, clearing by

Monday. That will be a bright day before a band of rain arrives.

There is a low pressure wrapping itself around, coming in towards

the North of Scotland, producing some wet weather and all so very

strong winds. There is an early warning in force for as with gale-

force winds gusting up to 60 mph. This low pressure swings in from

the Atlantic, very light yesterday, saw winds will be strong and there

will be rain at times. Enjoy the sunshine tomorrow. Very cold after

a frosty start, a wet and windy on Sunday, watch out for the wind on

Tuesday. Thank you to. Let us returned to

the main story and that large buyer. We can join Steve Humphrey again. -

- that large fire. What is the You can see smoke behind me. That

building houses the MRI scanner, where the fire started. 100

firefighters have been battling the flames and a large presence from

ambulancemen. We have paramedics with breathing sets in case anyone

has to go into. As we understand, no casualties. 55 people moved out

of the areas affected. We were told the intensive care unit was built

at the time, all those people moved. Also some people in the middle of

operations. All of those people moved to safety and the Accident

and Emergency section will be closed until tomorrow morning. Back

to you. Thank you. And bbc.co.uk/hampshire will be

updating their pages with this story throughout the night. You can