25/07/2014 South Today

A year after Southampton's Ford Transit factory closed down,

Was It is a good building, it is suitable for use, so why not use it?

Claims he was made a scapegoat ` the council officer who says he was

wrongly sacked following a costly car park blunder.

The teams warm up for a sizzling test match

at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl but some are looking further into the future

I don't want to be saddled with the reputation of being the only England

Test match crowd that has not been awarded an Ashes Test match.

70 years ago today holiday makers celebrate the end of the ban

For a year it's stood empty ` but South Today has been told that

a decision on the future of the old Ford Transit factory

at Swaythling near Southampton could be made by the end of this year.

It's 12 months since the 60`acre site shut after 41

The latest economic figures show that the UK economy grew 0.8%

in the second quarter and has now recovered the ground

Our reporter Lewis Coombes has been looking at what's next

Ford has a long association with Southampton.

Ford parts were manufactured here from 1953.

The Ford transit has been built in the city since 1972. The 1,000,000th

van was ill soon after. The city was dubbed "the home

of the Transit" with the van having The plant once employed thousands

of workers, but in February 2009 Ford announced the workforce was to

be halved, from 1,000 to 500 with In October 2012 it was announced

that the factory would close, with Ford say that all employees either

chose redeployment within the company, voluntary redundancy

or early retirement. The company is also investing ?12

million in a Vehicle Distribution Centre

at Southampton docks and a Vehicle Refurbishment Centre on the plant

site, employing 134 former workers. But for the last year

the factory has laid empty. I have been finding out what is next

for the site that has played such an important role in the history of

Southampton. From bustling production line to

abandoned industrial building. A year has passed,

but the future of Ford's site Over a year now and they

have done nothing about it. I mean, the youngsters in there, 35,

40 years old, It is a good building, it is there

and it is suitable for use so why not use it and use it for what it

was originally designed for? I think given the complexity

of the site and the numbers of players involved,

things are going very well. It is an important site,

an important strategic site for the city

and we need to get things right. Talks have been ongoing,

but ownership Ford is responsible for 40%

of the land. And a further 40% is owned

by a development company. For progress to be made,

they all need to agree. One option is

for another large company to come Slightly concerned because

if that employer goes bust, I would like to see more than one

employer, not necessarily 100 Ultimately, the gates being closed

has also had a knock`on effect We are hoping they will do

something useful with the site. And if a new business comes in,

hopefully we will become busier, The site generates hundreds

of thousands of pounds in business rates for the council, so it's in

their interest to find new tenants. But with real estate prices

on the up, perhaps it's been in Ford's interest to hold

on to the land a little longer. I think the market is going to firm

over the next couple of months. There is good reason to think

the economy is going to be strong, more jobs created, so the likelihood

is the market will be stronger, rents will be higher and the price

of lands will be higher as well. Ford's eventual departure

didn't come as a surprise. Critics say the council should have

started work a lot sooner We have known for a good amount

of time before last year that the plant was going to close

so they could have got their ducks Ford employees and contractors

continue to decommission the plant. And an announcement on the future

of the site is expected It's likely to be home to another

business, rather than used But

for now it's very much the former Lewis Coombes, BBC South Today,

Swaythling. Police have described it as

"one of the most disturbing cases in This afternoon Ben Blakeley,

the man found guilty of murdering Jayden Parkinson,

has been given a life sentence. He's been told he'll spend

at least 20 years in prison. Blakeley killed Jayden ` who was

pregnant ` last December, and buried Today, a jury failed to reach

a verdict on Ben's younger brother Jake, who faced a charge

of unlawfully burying a body. We will never be able to find an

answer for the evil that claimed Jade's life. We will never be able

to find forgiveness for the evil that murdered Jade and concealed her

body in such a cold and calculating and callous manner and we will never

get to see Jayden Parkinson grew up, get married and have children.

This is our life sentence. It is time for Ben Blakeley to start his.

Thank you. A haul of jewellery

and two pistols were found among scores of items uncovered at

the bottom of a pond near Worthing. Specialist police search teams were

called to Whitebeam Wood in Durrington

after a dog pulled out a jacket Sussex Police say

the items may have been stolen A coroner is writing to prosecutors

regarding the way they look It follows the death of

Frances Andrade, who took an overdose soon after

testifying against a music teacher He was convicted and jailed

but she didn't live to see that. She died after hearing some

of the charges had been dismissed. It took a lot for Francis Andrade to

confront the demons of her past. In the end,

it all proved too much for her. She killed herself a few days

after testifying against a music teacher who had

sexually abused her as a child. It happened while she was a pupil

at Chetham's School of Music The teacher was eventually convicted

and jailed by a court in Manchester. But Francis Andrade didn't

live to see that day. Partway through his trial,

the judge instructed the jury to acquit him on some charges due to

a legal technicality. After reading about this,

Francis Andrade took So does her husband regret her

becoming involved in the trial? I can't say that because

for one reason she needed to Of course she never did actually

ask to be involved in any of this. It was a friend who

originally told the police. Mr Andrade had told an inquest in

Surrey that his wife spiralled into She had taken a number

of drugs overdoses. The coroner Richard Travis said he

was satisfied that Miss Andrade had died as a result

of taking a drugs overdose. However, he could not be satisfied

that she had intended to kill herself and so he did not record

a verdict of suicide. He said that he would be writing to

the director of public prosecutions regarding the

advice given to vulnerable witnesses and the way they are kept involved

in the progress of those trials. An industrial tribunal has been

hearing about a mistake in the wording of a business

contract which led to Worthing Borough Council paying hundreds

of thousands of pounds compensation The council sacked the senior

officer it held responsible. But he believes he was made

a scapegoat and is claiming unfair dismissal

at a hearing in Southampton. This dispute centres on a ten`year

contract Worthing Borough Council had with the NCP to run the town's

multistorey car parks on their behalf. In 2009, following

complaints from motorists, the council wanted to reduce the parking

charges. They negotiated a change in the contract and agreed to

compensate NCP for some of the lost revenue. The council officer in

charge was executive head of technical services Cliff Harrison,

seen here in the glasses. Last November he was sacked by the

council for gross misconduct. The council leader said in a statement

that councillors had instructed officers to limit the compensation

liability to a maximum of ?152,000 but he said in fact compensation was

left open`ended. As a result, the council faced potentially having to

pay NCP ?1.5 million. In March this year, the council reached an

out`of`court settlement with NCP which was kept secret. Papers

submitted to the tribunal referred to a figure of ?740,000 being sought

by NCP at the High Court, but they don't confirm if that was the final

settlement. At today's hearing, Mr Harrison's lawyer suggested he was

being made a scapegoat. The council denied that. Mr Harrison's case is

that other senior officers and lawyers were involved in drawing up

a contract amendment and he believes there were serious flaws in the

disciplinary process. He is claiming unfair dismissal but the hearing was

adjourned to October 3. Sussex Police says it will review

any new information about a fatal crash involving

a serving officer who has been Stewart Chalmers' car struck

and killed Luke Bland and injured his friend

Ben Blackfield five years ago. The off duty officer was found not

guilty of causing death It was a jury that acquitted Stewart

Chalmers, a traffic officer, of causing death by dangerous driving.

One night in February 2009 when he was off`duty, his car killed Luke

Bland. Look's friend then black field was injured. An MP to the

Commons this week the not guilty verdict was a terrible miscarriage

of justice. If it had been established that far from being the

responsible driver he claimed Stewart Chalmers drove his car a

legally in a knot roadworthy condition and did not bother to

check the legality of his tyres even when warned they were close to the

limit, the main line of his defence would have fallen apart. The Commons

heard that after the trial the families of the young men did

research into the officer's car for a civil action. In Parliament Esther

Hendry said four months before the crash PC charmers' are field its MOT

because a front tyre was not legal. It was her at the car was taken away

and driven off and had 55 miles without a valid MOT and insurance

before the front tyre what replaced. Mr Hendry said it eventually passed

it's MOT but with an advisory notice that the rear tyres were close to

the legal threshold and at the time of the college and those tyres were

below their legal limit. The Commons her Sussex Police accept they should

have done things differently in the case and the Chief Constable has met

families. He has given a personal apology to the family and an

assurance that we will review any new information that comes to light

as a result of the civil proceedings. Families look and then

welcome any future reviewed by the police. `` families of Luke Bland

and Ben Blackfield. I hope they will look at the evidence and make

inquiries about what actions can be taken. Stewart Chalmers still

certain Sussex as a Sergeant. A police watchdog found that although

some of the complaints were well founded, there was no misconduct on

the part of the officer. The chase was investigated thoroughly by

Sussex Police, it would appear the case was treated with at least as

much integrity as any other member of the public who would have been at

the wheel. The Police Federation which represented Esther charmers

stressed the officer had been found not guilty of any offence, there was

no breach of professional standards, the investigation had been properly

conducted. `` Mr charmers. `` Mr Stewart Chalmers.

The bus company which runs Salisbury's Park and Ride service

89 members of staff are losing their jobs at Hatts Coaches,

Wiltshire Council says it's engaged another firm to run the park

Hatts' daily bus services in and around Salisbury have been taken

It is easy to say it has run out of cash but that is the problem. We

first got involved one week ago today and have been working hard to

see if there was a solution. Unfortunately, there was not. It was

too late in the day and it has left us with no option other than to

close the business. Still to come, if you are wondering what to do this

weekend, we have the weather forecast. One more day to enjoy the

sunshine and then a bit of respite on the way. The full forecast coming

up later in the programme. A three`year`old boy from Sussex is

recovering after taking his family's car for a ride ` ending up in a pub

garden. The boy started up the The boy started up the engine to the

automatic Subaru in the family's He then drove

down two embankments into the garden Police say the youngster escaped

with just a slight bump to his head. Time for the sport. There is a Test

match any minute. It is very exciting.

I am excited, I am going on Monday. I hope they can play a bit better.

Some of that in a moment. First, some news.

We understand a deal has been agreed with Liverpool for Southampton

He'll undergo a medical over the weekend after the clubs reached

The Croatian ` who made no secret of wanting to leave ` will join

former teammates Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana at Anfield.

There was another medal for the South at the Commonwealth

Games in Glasgow today ` this time a bronze in the shooting.

It adds to a swimming bronze last night.

And there could be more success before the day is out,

with athletes from our region in finals in judo and swimming.

Daniel Rivers from England has got a new Commonwealth Games record in

qualifying. Didcot's Dan Rivers was the man to

beat after storming qualifying But the final went

down to the wire ` he claimed bronze A shoot off was the undoing of

hotly`tipped teenager Amber Hill. She just missed out on reaching the

final. An injury meant Wokingham's

Megan Fletcher had to have her face taped up midway through her

under 70kg judo semi`final. It could have easily thrown her `

but instead she won with this throw. And Danny Williams,

also from Wokingham, Both go for gold

in the next half hour. There are two medal chances

for Reading's Adam Barratt tonight. He booked his place in the freestyle

relay final this morning. And Andrew Willis `

who won bronze last night ` is through to the semi`finals

of the 100m breaststroke. England's netballers `

featuring four players from the south ` showed why they're one

of the favourites for Commonwealth gold with a 65`25 win against Wales

in their first group match. My mother and brother drove up from

Burnham. It is great. The Scottish crowd have got right behind us so we

are appreciative of the netball fans coming to watch us. And even people

who have not watched netball before. `` Bournemouth.

But hopes for a golden day in the velodrome for

Hamble's Dani King were crushed when the Olympic gold medallist

didn't qualify for the final of the 3,000m individual pursuit.

Danny Williams from the judo has won gold in the under 73 kilograms.

Fantastic news. More on that in the late news tonight.

Cricket, and Hampshire's Ageas Bowl is gearing up to host

the test match this weekend between England and India.

It'll be only the second test the venue has hosted.

The Ageas Bowl held its maiden test match in 2011, a rain`soaked draw

Now the ground will be hosting its second test, when India visit

Hampshire for Sunday's third match against England.

India looked relaxed in training for Sunday's third test.

Hardly surprising as they're one match up

England's Test debutant Jos Buttler will replace Sussex's Matt Prior

He has good memories of the Ageas Bowl.

My first 100 was here, we had some exciting 2020 finals day in Somerset

as well so I enjoyed the ground, I like the place and it will be a

place that holds some special memories come Sunday morning.

But he joins a squad struggling for consistent form with bat or ball

They are hurting and disappointed that they are not playing their

brand of cricket and getting the results they wanted but there is the

underlying determination from everyone to turn that around and put

results right. What could make

a real difference to the result is the wicket, it's reportedly looking

to be in better condition than the first two matches, so we could

see some really exciting cricket. Hampshire's chairman hopes

the quality of that wicket and a successful test match could be

the beginning of even bigger things I would still want to stage an Ashes

Test match, I saddled with the reputation of being

the only England Test match ground that has never been awarded an Ashes

Test match. We must put our best foot forward and put a strong case.

Unusually this Test starts on a Sunday.

Can England deliver ` and can a new venue deliver a classic contest?

Portsmouth's young boxing star Ebonie Jones has made it through

to the final of the European Women's Junior Championships.

Ebonie, who's 15 and here in the blue, trains at the Heart

She beat Italian Lucy Garafalo on home turf at the competition

in Assisi with a unanimous points decision.

Ebonie won gold at the event last year and faces Polish boxer

Berkshire synchronised swimmer Andrea Holland is returning to

competition for the first time in 35 years.

56`year`old Andrea is a former British and European champion,

She was working as a commentator at London 2012 when she was inspired

The key reason for me was too maybe inspire a slightly older generation.

It is never too late to get back into sport. I feel like I'm a

different person than I was six months ago for the fact that I am

fitter again. Good on her! She is not the oldest woman in the pool.

Now, earlier this year we spoke to a record breaking swimmer `

who's still taking a regular dip at the ripe old age of 99.

John Harrison has notched up five world records

And how did he celebrate this milestone birthday?

By jumping in for a swim at his local pool in Surrey of course!

Happy birthday to John. Isn't that brilliant? The secret to his youth.

Congratulations, John. It has been another lovely day. For many it is

the start of the summer holidays. Thousands have flocked to

the south's beaches to cool off But it's a luxury that wasn't

available to those who lived through the Second World War,

until this day 70`years`ago. But in 1944 it was

a very different picture. Mines and anti`tank obstacles

littered Bournemouth beach as a precaution against

the threat of German invasion There was panic, so the beach was

cleared, or the places of entertainment were closed so that

any landing craft would be obstructed.

There was a beach bathing ban in place from 1939 right up to this

After D`Day, things eased and eventually the road came, you can

open the beach. They allow the people to go through in their

hundreds with their deckchairs just to sample being on the beach once

more. Today, the picture is very different

as hundreds came to the beach to enjoy the seaside breeze

and even a few who went for a swim. It is a packed beach. You can see

what it means for families. We live nearby so when the weather is nice,

it is the perfect race to come with the little ones and just enjoy it.

We have nice weather, which is not very often in England.

And the sun is shining on Bournemouth who are already

benefiting from a boost in trade due to the good weather.

Half ?1 billion per year is spent in Bournemouth that the results of

tourism and for people who cannot remember half a billion, ?1000 for

every minute of every day of the year, that is so much tourism is

worth. Mines and barbed wire are long past

dangers, but still a warning to those who are

heading to the beach this summer. We advise people to stay hydrated

and stay out of the sun from 11 until three. This he is not too

treacherous, but the tide will increase, so there is the potential

for people to get into difficulty. `` the sea is not to treacherous.

In this year of poignant anniversaries, this is

a town where generations of holiday makers are united by a common love

I think it will be packed tomorrow. Yes.

We've had some lovely weather photos as always but today we've gone for a

bit of a theme ` your pets cooling off from the scorching heat `

lots more on our Facebook page, but here are three that caught our eye.

Jack the dog getting a soaking ` thanks to Alicia Penman

This could have been one soggy moggy if Kelly Wadmore had turned

And Michelle Hare captured this picture

And look at this one. This is a picture of art to this is a picture

of bit of a star. He took part in Wednesday's Commonwealth Games

opening ceremony and I think he'll led in both Bangladesh and then

Trinidad and obey God. What a gorgeous dog. `` Trinidad and will

be go. `` Trinidad and Tobago. Some heavy downpours this afternoon

with some thunder and lightning as well. The band working its way

across. This pocket here seeing quite a bit of thunder and lightning

in the last 30 minutes. Those thunderstorms tend to ease away as

we go through this evening. Integer date we can expect drier conditions

to develop in the coming hours. `` into tonight. Once the showers clear

we are left with, not quite cloud free skies, eastern parts seeing

some mist and murk, a few more breaks to the West. 17 or 18 degrees

below two nights of feeling very sticky, muddy conditions once again

tonight. Saturday we start the day with perhaps some of the low cloud

once again in the East but that breaks up fairly regularly and we

are left with another day of good sunny spells. Nice break finds sunny

conditions. Temperatures once again peeking into the mid`to high 20s saw

26, 20 7 degrees possible. The chance of a shower for the eastern

parts but most of them in the east of London. Tomorrow night a dry and

quiet affair, we will see a little cloud around, again the temperatures

staying in the high teens and so it will feel hot and sticky once again.

But the changes on its way as we head into Sunday, we have a cold

front working its way in, so Sunday will be a sunny spells and scattered

showers but some fresh air arriving as the cold front sweeps through and

into the new working week we have cooler conditions, one or two

showers but some good bright and sunny intervals as well. Just a

little cooler than recently. Plenty of events to look forward to this

weekend. The Worthing Filipino Festival

is taking place tomorrow. There'll be some warm sunshine

on offer as the town celebrates the Philippines with food,

music and sports. And in Stockbridge near Winchester

there's an open gardens event ` the perfect place to enjoy a cream

tea in the sunshine, though it'll Your summery for the coming days,

not doing too badly, temperatures cool enough on Sunday into the new

working week. Just before we go, a look ahead

to next week on South Today. Preparations are under way for this

year's New Forest and Hampshire County Show, which attracts

around 100,000 visitors each year. And alongside all the agricultural

and countryside exhibits, We've teamed up with

Southampton Solent University to build a complete studio

so that you can have a go at being And we've got very high hopes

for our entry in the exhibitors' No guesses as to who that is! I

think it is my best side. That is it from us, have a great weekend, more

from us at 10:25 p.m..