30/01/2014 South Today

weather on the way. That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye

from me, and on BBC Welcome to South Today. Tonight,

hogging the middle lane. Six months since the law changed, we find out

how much it is being enforced. The woman who had to cope with a firm

that it dashed persistently knocking on her door after she had settled

her debt. I don't want to explain to my child

what a bailiff is. Efforts are underway to get hundreds of empty

homes back into use. And Verse for the Earth. Teaching

children the importance of water, through poetry. The more you give,

the more you live. Six months ago, tougher fixed

penalties were introduced for some driving offences, such as hogging

the middle lane of a motorway, driving too close to the car in

front or bad lane discipline on a roundabout. But we've found that

very few offenders have been fined ?100 or given points on their

driving licence. Unofficially, a senior police officer told us it was

because there aren't enough traffic police to enforce the law. Here's

our ransport correspondent Paul Clifton.

Here is a tailgater following a middle lane hog in the pouring rain

on the M3. That could be a ?100 fine each and three point B licence. This

woman from Sandhurst is one of the country's top private trainers.

People are like sheep. If everyone does it, they do it. It is easy to

find others doing the same. Sitting in an overtaking lane, even when

they are not passing. Tailgater is often have baby on board stickers

and the biggest risk to their family is their own driving because

tailgaters gets hit in the back a great deal because they have to

break so sharply. All the conscientious drivers had to pay

bigger premiums because we are sharing the roads with such people.

A survey by the AA found that in this region, almost one driver in

three tends to stay in the middle lane. It seems that most are still

getting away with it. A request under the Freedom of Information Act

reveal that Thames Valley Police have only issued around 20 fixed

penalty notices a month for driving without due care and attention. Look

at the detail for November. Of the 16 penalty notices, three with a

tailgating. Other categories include failing to give way at a junction,

pushing into a queue of traffic, and poor lane discipline. Thames Valley

claim to prosecute more careless drivers than any other force but

figures from the region's other forces were similar. Our members are

very concerned about it. Many think tailgating is very anti`social.

Others think lane hogging is equally anti`social. Perhaps the police do

not see it as dangerous, merely an irritant. Would you like to see

penalties enforced more rigorous de? Absolutely. There will be dashed the

roads would be a whole lot more relaxed.

We asked some drivers were they made of the new laws. This country has

never coped with employing new Moto weight`loss. If they bring one in,

it needs to be enforced. It is a great idea, but identical I've

noticed any difference. The same people who don't notice you are

there behind him. I don't think they have the manpower to enforce it.

Paul is here with me now. Let's talk about these findings. Why are so few

people being caught? The lack of enforcement was widely predicted.

One senior officer told me privately that it is because there are now far

fewer traffic officers on the road. It has been difficult to get all the

facts for this. Different police forces record and gather their

information in different ways. I want to know how many more people

are being sent on drive awareness courses at ?95 a go instead of

paying the new fines with points on their licences. Over 1 million

people went on these courses last year. One in ten of all drivers, in

the last three years. In the Thames Valley, of the 180,000 people caught

speeding, 80,000 of them went on these courses. We all see these

people breaking these laws every day, does it matter that so few are

being caught? I think it is fair to say that the police have limited

resources and they are focusing on the four big killers, speeding,

drink`driving, not wearing seat belts and the misuse of hand`held

phones. That is where more lives can be saved. Thames Valley Police are

catching 40 people a month on the new penalties. They are catching 800

people a month for speeding. Mostly by camera, but nobody that I have

spoken to think that balance is wrong. Has it changed driving habits

on the motorway? No, because people know they will not be caught. We

know that the much bigger problem is speeding in a 30 mile an hour zone,

that is far more risky than staying in the middle lane when you should

not. A Hampshire woman who's been

harassed by bailiffs for a week says nobody should have to experience

what she's gone through. Ria Skelton from Romsey paid off her debts to

Southampton City Council earlier this month after she realised bills

had been going to the wrong address. But despite numerous calls to the

council and an admission of error on their part, it's taken them several

weeks to resolve the situation and call off the bailiffs. Dani Sinha

reports. Early wake`up calls have been a

regular occurrence at this household all week. Ria Skelton has lived in

fear of bailiffs turning up. Last week, she opened the door to one who

demanded payment of more than ?500. She's had at least four visits in

total. It feels like our life has been on hold. We can't go about our

business. When we leave to go to school in the morning, I am rushing

my daughter out because I don't know if he is waiting on the doorstep. I

don't want to explain to my child what a bailiff is and why I am not

answering the door. She traced the problem back to this property in

Southampton where she wasn't living at the time. Unpaid council tax

bills had been forwarded to the wrong address. She chased the

council to square her debts, but only became aware of the amount in

December. She paid everything off in full immediately. To have somebody

turn up on your doorstep and keep telling you you owe the money,

although I note `` although I know I don't, it is a scary experience. I

can't get it to stop. I phoned the council and I am powerless. For the

past week, rear and her daughter `` Ria and her daughter had not been

able to leave the house for fear a bailiff would turn up. She has paid

up`to`date and even though the council have admitted the error, the

answer they `` the advice they have given it is not to answer the door.

I have not been able to get anything done. A tearful Ria broadcast her

story to Radio Solent this morning. She got this reaction from the

leader of Southampton City Council. If what you say is the case, I can

only apologise. It is not acceptable that people, having done the right

thing, are threatened with bailiffs. I will be holding a short

and sharp investigation. Hours later, the council apologised to

Miss Skelton and assured her the bailiffs would not return. No longer

prisoners in their own home. A man accused of killing two teenage

girls when his car hit them in Gosport has pleaded not guilty to

two counts of manslaughter. Samuel Etherington, who's 20 and an

unemployed sports coach, was charged after 14`year`old Jasmine Allsop and

16`year`old Olivia Lewry died in November last year. He'll appear

again at Winchester Crown Court at the end of February.

The Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said party members in

Dorset made a "very serious mistake" by not telling his headquarters that

a councillor had been accused of serious sexual offences against a

child. Weymouth councillor Ryan Hope has been suspended from the Liberal

Democrat party. He faces seven charges, and denies them all.

Speaking on his weekly LBC radio programme, Nick Clegg said

allegations of that seriousness should be passed up the "food

chain". He also said it was a matter of regret when people didn't follow

the rules. Of course there are rules in place which say that if there are

allegations coming to light like that, action should be taken

promptly. When people do not follow those rules, I regret and I find

that a source of immense frustration. I will make absolutely

sure that this should not happen again.

A man who's believed to have set himself on fire in a dental surgery

has died. 66`year`old Anthony Chase from Chichester was found on fire in

this dentist's on Monday afternoon. Police believe he used a can of

cigarette lighter fluid to start the fire. A postmortem examination has

taken place but a pathologist has yet to determine the exact cause of

death. Still to come, Tony is at a special

training sessions and `` tonight. What is the Premier League trophy

during here in Southampton? `` doing here in Southampton? I will also

tell you why it couple of Southampton stars have been helping

these kids out at a special training session.

A herd of 30 cows caused damage to cars last night after escaping from

a field at Angmering in West Sussex. The animals collided with two cars

on the A280. Both drivers were taken to hospital but were not seriously

injured. Some viewers might find some of the images in this report

upsetting. Sean Killick has more. It was around 9:45pm when Sussex

Police were called to the A32 `` 280. A280. One driver was trapped

and had to be freed by the Fire Service using hydraulic equipment.

Those drivers were taken to hospital but were not seriously injured. The

farmer was joined by police officers and passers`by in hiding the animals

back into the field. Two animals were killed. It took around two

hours before the road was reopened. Today, the evidence of what happened

here last night is still apparent. The bodies of both the cows are in a

ditch close to the road, quite some distance apart. The animals were

later removed. The farmer says that it is the first such incident in his

family's 70 years of farming. He is checking all those fences. The

police say that road accidents involving livestock are relatively

rare but can have serious consequences. Large animals can come

into conflict with cyclists and cards and if a collision occurs,

there will be serious damage and or injury. We do our best to educate

people to make sure that seals are secure and hedgerows and gates are

secure and fences secured. That message needs to go out to the

members of the public as well, to make sure they secure gates after

them. Last week, a man died when two men dashed two motorbikes collided

with a horse. Today, the new Forest National Park authority released

figures showing that 104 animals were killed or injured on roads

compared to 82 the previous year. The authorities are urging motorists

to take extra care on rural roads. They can blight neighbourhoods,

encourage anti`social behaviour, attract rats and pose a danger to

children. Now, efforts to address the problem of empty or derelict

homes are being stepped up in Berkshire. In Reading, where around

400 homes have lain empty for longer than six months, the council is

calling on local people to help them tackle the problem. Nikki Mitchell

reports. People living in this street of

modest terraces are desperate to see this house turned into a home again.

It has been empty for well over a decade. People wanted it fixed up or

rude nude. Nothing has ever come of it. `` fixed or renewed. It is hard

to get houses, so when you see a house like that, it is not nice. The

demand for houses in Redding is huge. Rents and prices are high and

there are people on the waiting list for social housing. This house has

been empty for 18 months. It is this man's job to see it occupied again.

The main reason for owners stuck with empty homes is that they do not

have the money or the skill to bring that home back into views. The. ``

the owners asked the council for help. They release it back to a

housing authority `` housing association. They could do the work

in about six months and at the end of that, the property will be let to

people on the council housing register. Once an eyesore, this

house is finally occupied again. The owner had gone bankrupt, moved to

India, and died. After detective work by the council, the creditor

was persuaded to renovate and sell it to recover their debt. People

notice when there are long`term empty homes in their area. They can

attract anti`social behaviour and do not look nice. We need people to be

our eyes and ears in the community so that we can deal with them. The

results are fantastic. We now have a home before we had a problem for the

local community. Sometimes, enforcement notices are necessary.

Here on millionaires Row, it is the introduction of a VAT charge which

is facing the owner. `` which is hastening the owner.

Figures released today have confirmed what many of us have

probably already suspected ` parts of Britain have had their wettest

January since records began, more than a century ago. The South and

South east have been worst hit with double the average rainfall. Those

figures have not come as news to the residents of one Hampshire village

who've been underwater since New Year's Day. 140 properties have been

flooded in Hambledon. Ben Moore has the story of a community that's had

to pull together to weather the storm.

This woman has lived in the same house in Hambledon for 102 years.

The last 27 years have been partly underwater. You get used to it. When

was the last time you saw this as bad as it is? Never. And you have

lived here 100 years? I have never seen it as bad as this. Met Office

records show that the South has received more than twice the average

rainfall. 175 millimetres for January since records began in

1910. The problem for Hambledon is that it lies at the bottom of a huge

chalk Dale. The water is squeezed out and put into the centre of the

village. The water is very clear and pure. Southern Water is keeping it

that way. It has installed a second, over ground pipe through the

village. But after a month of living like this, locals are tired.

Children travelling from outside the village are having to go and all ``

an awful long way to get their cars and go to school. They are all a bit

fed up. This usually busy road through the village is now closed.

It is on a knife edge as even the bow wave caused by a car can cause

the floodwater to spill into houses. You can see we are hunkered down. It

has interrupted so many people's lives. Just getting to work, it is

all much more difficult. The most problem that the most important

problem of all is people who have to check their pumps all through the

night. Sleep is a bonus. The village expects to be like this until the

middle of February. Only a few are still enjoying the novelty. Do you

like the water? Yes! What you like about it? Splashing!

The control tower at the former Greenham Common airbase site in

Berkshire is to be transformed into a new visitor centre. Greenham

Parish Council has been awarded ?400,000 of government funding for

the project. The tower hasn't been used since the airbase closed in

1993. The visitor centre will display information about the

history of the site as well as having a viewing gallery and cafe.

Onto sport now and members of a Hampshire charity are having a night

to remember tonight in recognition of their work inspiring young people

in the area. Two of Southampton's Premier League players have put on a

special training session for them and we've sent Tony along.

Just for a moment, I thought that was one of the Premier League

players doing his football tricks. It is you, I had no idea you were so

skilful! Absolutely useless. That is why I do

this and not play football! It takes me back to my childhood. Playing a

bit of football. But I never had a training session with a couple of

Premier League players and with a Premier League club and coaches.

That is what has happened here tonight in Shirley. And a special

guest Trophy as well. All those Manchester United and Manchester

City names. Not Southampton yet, but we live in hope. This charity has

benefited from this tonight. Tell me a bit about this charity and how you

won a competition. We work with his advantage to vulnerable young

people. The public have voted to give us this opportunity. We are a

community project in this area and we met the Saints players. The kids

are really enjoying themselves. The two players here talking to the

kids. What does this do for kids and their futures? We provide

opportunities for the kids to get involved in different lifestyles and

opportunities. This one just happens to be a great fun event for them.

Let's have a word with Tom. How much have you enjoyed this little

session? Very much. I enjoy football. Really good. I think all

the other kids are enjoying it, too. Who is your favourite Saints player?

Adam Le Alana. You know all about the community and growing up in this

part of the world, a local boy? I want to be a captain and lead the

community as well. It is nice to inspire them on to greater heights.

Other sports news. Dani Osvaldo could join Italian

giants Juventus before the window shuts. Boss Mauricio Pochettino kept

his cards close to his chest today when asked about the suspended

record signing and where he could be going.

TRANSLATION: I get no, because I'm not in charge

of that situation. Anything is possible. Inter Milan? Also. All is

possible. Meanwhile defender Danny Fox has joined Nottingham Forest

today on loan for the rest of the season.

London Irish and England winger Marlon Yarde has joined Harlequins.

Yarde came through the youth ranks at the Exiles playing mini rugby and

progressing into the first team, who play home games at Reading's

Madejski stadium. He's made 39 appearances for Irish and had agreed

a two`year contract at Quinns. Basingstoke Bison have a big lead

after the first leg of the League cup semi final against Guildford

Flames last night. After the Flames took an early lead, Basingtoke took

charge. Joe Rand scored a hat`trick and there were braces for Thomas

Karpov and Ciaran Long. The return match is in Guildford next Wednesday

night. The kids are enjoying themselves.

I'm delighted to see this trophy. Go and join them, see you later.

It's something we all take for granted ` clean water. From taps,

showers and in our toilets. But for millions across the planet, this

vital resource is a scarce commodity. It's an issue pupils from

the South have been learning about this week by creating poems about

water and the challenges faced by children in developing countries.

It's all part of a poetry competition that's just been

launched by the charity WaterAid. Our reporter Rob Powell went along

to a writing workshop in Southampton.

Take a trolley... Verse for the Earth. This workshop

at Testwood Lakes in Southampton aims to teach pupils to think about

water and sanitation in other countries. Through poetry. If every

part of every nation, had safely dashed had squeaky clean safe

sanitation... Today's task ` create a water`based poem. My friend Luke

gave away water. What am I? I am a toilet! I say he is bad because he

leaves the tampon. The workshop is part of a poetry competition run by

WaterAid. According to the charity, one in ten people across the world

lives without clean water. And around 2,000 children die every day

from diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. Children have

to do this terrible water walk in other countries to get clean water.

We are writing short poems that really convey the message of what it

means to go on that very arduous water walk. And Martin has created a

poem of his own about that water walk. I start the four mile journey

home. A full container on my back. Sometimes, I daydream about other

children, in countries far away from here. I wonder what the distances of

their daily water walk is. Poetry, a lovely way of learning. We

are now going to talk about the wettest January in the years. We

have beaten the record set in 1988. Very wet and soggy. Here is a splash

of colour on a dull day. More rain on the cards, but tonight

slightly quieter. It touched a frost. Missed and for patches and

maybe patchy ice. `` mist and fog patches. Temperatures fall away

rapidly and we could have the risk of ice. Winds lights tonight. In

misty, murky starts tomorrow. A later start but that will not remain

the case. Winds will increase and the rain will arrive around

lunchtime. Temperatures rising to a chilly five Celsius. In Oxfordshire.

Those winds will be very strong. In Met Office warning for Southern

counties for heavy rain for tomorrow afternoon and through tomorrow

night. Also part of Surrey and Wiltshire. That rain stays through

tomorrow night. Some torrential downpours. Eventually clearing some

parts, but following it, some wintry showers. The winds remain strong

tomorrow night. A cold start to the day on Saturday. Maybe a quiet start

but it will not stay that way. We are expecting gale force winds. Thus

on the south coast and perhaps expose COSE experiencing 70 mph. A

Met Office weather allows. `` exposed coasts. Here is the summary.

Stay tuned to your local BBC station for the latest on the traffic

situation `` travel situation and the coastal flooding. There will be

rain tomorrow lasting through midday into Saturday morning. Winds very

strong on Saturday. Blustery showers on Saturday with that. Sunday, the

quieter day of the two but more rain showers on the cards for Monday.

That is it from ours. More at 8pm and 10:25pm. Good night.