04/04/2014 BBC Oxford News

Also tonight, how immigration rules means this man doesn't earn enough

money for his wife to be allowed to live with him in the UK.

And later on, open for business ` figures show a recovery in the high

street as empty shops fill tp. Good evening. The number of people

killed or seriously injured in road accidents has fallen by just over a

third since speed cameras wdre introduced in Oxfordshire. The

figure are from Thames Valldy Police. Road safety campaigners say

it's evidence the cameras s`ve livees. But critics have qudstioned

whether other factors may h`ve played a part.

Well, supporters say finallx this is conclusive prove that speed cameras

really DO make our roads safer. The first cameras were installed in

Oxfordshire in 1993. Since then an average of 23 people have bden

killed or seriously injured each year on the roads compared to an

average of 35 before they wdre put in. The biggest difference has been

recorded on the A338 in East Hanney ` four people were seriouslx killed

or injured between 1990 and 199 . But with the arrival of a speed

camera there were no recorddd injuries in the next 18 years. This

is one of the first studies that have been done into Oxfordshire

speed cameras in the last fdw years. It's great that it is posithve. It

shows speed cameras have a big impact on casualties on the road. Of

course, a lot has changed in 20 years. Cars have become safdr and

some critics have questioned whether the numbers are really simply down

to cameras. Only 6% of all `ccidents has speed as a factor and not a

cause. The most camera do is reduce the effect of and accident. In

Swindon the council turned off its cameras in 2009 and says thd overall

number of accidents has dropped since then, but people we spoke to

largely supported them. People are wary of them. Police don't dnforce

the speed limit. They are ddfinitely affect live, definitely in trban

areas. Oxfordshire alone has 68 fixed

cameras across the county, but the debate as to whether they rdally do

make a difference isn't over yet. A former soldier from Swindon has

told the BBC his family is being torn apart by new rules on

immigration. Trev Rungasamy served ten years in the army, incltding

tours of Afghanistan and Ir`q. But his wife is being denied entry to

the UK because he doesn't e`rn enough.

Trev Rungasamy has served hhs country. He was born in South Africa

and was in the dish army for ten years, serving in Afghanist`n and

Iraq. He is now a UK citizen but cannot bring his wife and children

here the cause he does not darn enough. The first tour was ` war

fighting tour in Afghanistan. The second tour was war fighting in

Iraq. I nearly lost my life. I was shot by a sniper. During all that

time, my wife has stuck by le. Trev Rungasamy has moved to London said

that he can earn the threshold introduced by the government. It is

a sad situation I am in right now. It is breaking me emotionally. I

feel so let down by the system. The Home Office did not want to be

interviewed about these new rules because they are being challenged by

a legal situation. They say: it is Conservative Party policy to

reduce net migration to the UK by tens of thousands, but latest

figures say numbers are on the increase. If the new walls `re too

strict, it will mean that mdeting that commitment will be even harder.

Concerns are being raised about the number of vacant posts at South

Central Ambulance Service, which covers Oxfordshire and

Buckinghamshire. The Unite tnion's worried that 265 vacancies need to

be filled while demand for their service is increasing. The @mbulance

Service says there's a national shortage of paramedics and ht's

looking to recruit both expdrienced and newly qualified staff.

A public inquiry will be held into plans to build one of the bhggest

solar farms in the country near Swindon. The borough council's

approved the project, which involves installing more than 150,000 solar

panels on the former RAF Wroughton airfield. There's been opposition to

the plan from evironmental groups and the government has decided a

public inquiry is necessary. The first of a series of satellites

that will map the Earth's strface has been launched into spacd. The

data they send back will be used for a range of projects, from enabling

scientists to monitor the polar ice caps to helping councils pl`n their

parking. Some of the people who will be using the information have

gathered in Oxfordshire to lark the launch of the satellite, known as a

sentinel. From how we get from ATB to watch we

what should on television. Satellite have a huge impact on our lhves

Last night Sentinel was launched in French sky on. Satellite like

Sentinel one will help us to understand how things are changing

on land and also the behaviour of the ice caps on the Earth. The

company that is behind this collect the data and passes it on. Ht has

been specifically designed to help respond to emergency disastdrs. We

can plan response procedures. It further shows Harwell's poshtion as

a centre of excellence. It hs an important step forward for the local

area. Last night the launch was one of several launches. New satellites

will soon be orbiting the E`rth and helping scientists back in

Oxfordshire. The wettest winter on record could

have a lasting impact on dr`gonflies in Oxfordshire. One environlental

group says we could see mord mosquitoes this year, too. Sinead

Carroll's been to the Oxford Canal in Kidlington to investigatd.

A dragonfly's life is brief. It mates, lays eggs and dies all within

a few months. But dragonfly lavae can live for three years. Now the

lava is not just underwater, it s under threat. Bankside visitation

like this is where the lavad comes to hatch, but much of it has been

damaged during the recent floods. However, we have found some.

This lava was inside the pond. Once the lava are ready to hatch the

dragonflies cling to reeds like this. But many dragonfly won't hatch

this Summer ` the lavae has already been washed away by fast currents.

Dragonflies and damselflies indicate good water quality. Dragonfly can

eat it or the weight in mospue etailers and midges in just 30

minutes. They help to maint`in the environment. `` mosquitoes.

So fewer dragonflies could lean more of their prey, like mosquitoes,

survive. The Canal and River Trust want us to monitor the weather's

impact on wildlife. You don't have to pond dip, just recording the

species found nearby rivers, canals and ponds.

Today is the 25th anniversary of the BBC's radio station in Wiltshire.

BBC Wiltshire Sound, as it was then known, was opened in Swindon in 1989

by Home Secretary Douglas Htrd. The station is now called BBC Whltshire.

The birthday celebrations whll be held at the Wyvern Theatre tomorrow

and our very own Adina Campbell will be there. Good morning, this is BBC

Wiltshire Sound. That is all from me for the moment. I will be b`ck at

APM. Still to come in this evening's

South Today: After his break for freedom during the floods, Chad the

Carp is back home. It could put our passengers at risk.

That's what taxi drivers ard saying about proposed changes to their

licences. The government ails to cut red tape and save cabbies money `

but the drivers say it's also a licence for disreputable taxi

drivers to operate. Our Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton reports.

Terry McMillan is a licensed taxi driver. That means his background

has been checked with the authorities. He thinks proposed

changes will let in drivers who cannot be traced.

We've already had information from passengers that the guy driving the

cab sometimes doesn't look like the guy on his badge. So, we ard just

worried that a minority would use this as a temptation to bend the

law. Consultation ends today on ` new law

to reduce red tape for taxi operators. There are three key

changes that will affect taxis: it will be possible for an unlhcensed

driver to drive a licensed cab when it's not on duty. For example, it

could be used as a family c`r on weekends. Licences will last three

years ` most of them at present only last one year. And companies will be

able to subcontract work to drivers licensed in different distrhcts

Drivers think it would no longer be possible for passengers to trust the

person behind the wheel. Last year, a Bournemouth driver, Terence

Collins, was jailed for the rates of two young women. He had picked them

up, then attacked them in an off duty taxi.

That guy wasn't committing offences when he was working, he was using

the car to attract attention from young, impressionable, vulndrable

women. They thought it was ` safe car.

A lot of private hire cars look like taxis.

This morning, cab companies from along the south coast gathered in

Southampton to campaign agahnst the changes.

If it goes into law, we will be canvassing law. If it goes to the

Commons, we will then canvassed the Commons because this is wrong, and

goes against public safety. Politically, this isn't quite a done

deal ` the final wording of the deregulation bill is due next month.

A 79`year`old man has been `rrested after a woman was found with serious

injuries at a bungalow in Wdst Sussex. Police were called to the

property in Grasmere Avenue in Sompting last night. The wolan is

being treated in hospital for her injuries.

The government has confirmed its badger cull won't be extenddd into

Dorset. The car was introduced in an attempt to reduce TB in cattle.

Volunteers may now be called upon to help vaccinate badgers against the

disease. Pilot culls will continue in Gloucestershire and Somerset

It's the backbone of any city, town or even village. But the high street

has been suffering over the last few years as the economic downttrn took

its toll. Some well established names like Woolworths, Blockbusters

or Past Times went into administration leaving shops vacant.

But now a new study from thd City suggest the high street is on the up

again after shops that closdd over the past five years have new

tenants. Ben Moore reports. The high street has always relied on

footfall ` precisely why thhs shoe retailer has chosen the centre of

Reading for its new flagship store. Our local customer is a high street

customer. It's the same kind of customer that goes to John Lewis and

places like that. You get them on the high street not in the centres

for retail parks. Retail parks are for DIY stores ` we are not a DIY

store, we are shoe store. Across the UK, in any given town or

city, on average 14% of shops are vacant. Here in Reading that figure

is a bit lower ` it's 11.24$. But that translates directly to the

economy. The average retail spend in the town annually is ?780 mhllion.

We have a huge number of incoming workers every day, working hn the

commercial sector. They add hugely to the daytime economy with their

spending. It's also because Reading has world`class transport lhnks

Town chiefs are certainly recognising the importance of their

high streets. In Gosport, Thnker Tearooms opened three weeks ago

using council cash to transform a shop left empty for five ye`rs.

We were awarded ?7000 towards the cost of refurbishment, which helped

extremely because this whold place had to be totally put back to a

shell. That helped us with the electrics, the flooring.

A generation ago, the town centre was the only place to buy what you

need it. But just a couple of decades ago, the focus shifted to

out`of`town retail parks and, recently, to online shopping. The

high street had hit a new low. This resurgence has come as a surprise.

We are starting to see some different sorts of businessds taking

off, particularly discount stores, pound shops, which are really in a

strong boom since the recession The supermarket convenience stores are

also starting to take off. So, for Ecco staff preparathons with

a big opening are much more than window dressing ` one of many

companies putting the high street back on the map.

You can see band's report again Tell us what you think about your

high street on our Facebook page. `` see band's reports.

Let's move on to sports. Something of a special day tomorrow.

I'm doing the comment Terry on the football league. There are so many

different people tomorrow who will be saying, it's good to see you

again. It's not just Harry Redknapp coming back to Bournemouth, although

that the first time he will have done so in a competitive gale.

What sort of reaction will he gets from the fans?

He took Bournemouth to unch`rted territory during his time. He left

in 1992, with nine years as a manager. He said in his book that it

was happiest time he has had as a manager. Of course, he is a resident

of Dorset so he is very much in tune with the area. We also had big Kevin

Bond factor. He will be next to Harry Redknapp in the QPR dtgout.

His dad is also a former chdrries manager.

Eddie Howe, for his money, says when you think Bournemouth you think

Harry Redknapp. All sentiment aside, it's a huge

game with a big 3`pointer up for grabs. Even Redknapp's achidvements

Harry Redknapp arrived at Bournemouth more than 40 ye`rs ago

as a player, but it was as ` manager that he made his name.

I have followed the club. I love the club. I've got a lot of timd for

Bournemouth Football Club. Dddie has done an amazing job there.

In Eddie Howe, the Cherries have their most successful boss since

Redknapp. Six wins in eight in March means Bournemouth have an ottside

shot at the play`offs. We'll see what comes in the coming

games. I don't think there hs too much pressure on us and, hopefully,

we can enjoy these games. In the next few years, if they hang

onto Eddie, it's a club that could end up going into the Premidr

League. I think they're building a real good infrastructure thdre. It's

a good football club. Redknapp won't be the only familiar

face tomorrow ` Kevin Bond hs QPR's assistant. During his time `s

Cherries boss, he employed ` young Eddie Howe.

I owe a huge amount to Kevin. He had faith in me when I was coming to the

end of my career, and I was going nowhere. I had no plans set out for

me, and I'm very thankful for Kevin giving me an opportunity. At that

stage, I didn't know that coaching was what I wanted to go into.

Familiar faces but those for 90 minutes tomorrow. QPR are play`off

bound, but the big question is whether Cherries can join them.

In the Premier League, Southampton could have a say in the title race

tomorrow when they face Manchester City in the lunchtime kick off. In

the Championship, Bournemouth's game with QPR is also the featurdd game

on the Football League show. Reading in sixth are at struggling Charlton,

Brighton go to Barnsley. MK Dons and Swindon both face away games in

League One. Portsmouth have a first home game in Andy Awford's second

spell as caretaker as they host Hartlepool, Oxford entertain

Fleetwood. Full commentary on BBC local radio.

And all the best of the acthon is on Monday night in Late Kick Off,

including the former Portsmouth defender who once enforced the

penalty area and now enforcds the law as a policeman in Holland.

Non`league Sholing head into the second leg of the FA Vase sdmi final

with their tie against Eastbourne United level at 2`2. The Bo`tmen,

who play in the Wessex leagte, are hoping to emulate fellow Halpshire

side Gosport borough in reaching a Wembley final. BBC Radio Solent has

live commentary of the game. Congratulations to Reading Rockets

tonight. They have retained their national basketball title whthout

actually playing. The Rockets, who lost at Worthing last Saturday,

secured the title ` their third of the season ` thanks to neardst

rivals Essex having to forfdit their match with Newham, thus enstring the

Rockets win the league with two matches to spare.

It's Grand National weekend, and the Berkshire trainer Nicky Henderson

will be hoping to end his w`it for a winner of the big race at Ahntree.

Henderson has four runners hn the National which goes off at 4.15pm,

with Long Run, ridden by Sal Whaley`Cohen likely to be hhs best

contender. The former Gold Cup winner is currently third in the

betting with odds of 12`1. Long Run, we decided at Chrhstmas

that we would take the Grand National route rather than the Gold

Cup route. We had a good pr`ctice race at Kelso, he won reallx nicely.

He schooled very well. We h`ve built special fences for this, so we have

practised at Aintree`type obstacles. He has been very good.

Championship rugby club London Welsh have signed a new three year deal to

ground share at Oxford Unitdd's Kassam Stadium. They will not pursue

their interest in a move to Witney in West Oxfordshire. London Welsh

have already secured their place in the end of season play`offs as they

bid to secure a return to the Premiership at the first attempt.

It's quite a sporting weekends. We've got the Brighton Marathon and

the Grand National. Judging by your weather pictures

today, spring has certainly sprung. You were in a very flowery lood

Paul captured a swan taking off at this harbour.

What is the weekend weather going to be like?

We are seeing a change of wdather type now ` the problems of Saharan

dust and pollution being swdpt aside as the Atlantic brings to bdar. What

will actually be a pretty cloudy story across this weekend, with the

rain more particularly so on Sunday. A dry night tonight but increasing

amounts of low cloud, and hhll fog conditions as well. The first of

these fronts through Saturd`y generally affecting western areas,

so for many of our district some patchy, light rain. There whll be a

good deal of cloudy weather. But on Sunday some heavier outbreaks of

rain, and it will be a breezy day. For the rest of this evening, a few

brighter spells have lingerdd but the cloud cover will steadily

increase as the night wears on. There could be some sea fog just

starting to appear across some of our southern coastal districts ` the

Isle of Wight and towards Stssex. A bit of uncertainty on that. Low

cloud around tomorrow morning, with temperatures having dropped to about

six or seven degrees. Tomorrow will bring an extensively cloudy day At

low cloud giving hill fog conditions, and occasionallx these

patches of light rain feeding through. On the south coast, you

will see some of that, and less so as we move north to the likds of

Oxfordshire. This process continues as we head towards the evenhng, with

little real change. Temperatures tomorrow should still get up to

about 13 or 14 degrees. As we look through towards the tail end of the

weekend and into next week, Sunday will be the wetter of the two days

of the weekend. Some of that rain quite heavy at times as it loves

eastwards. Quite a windy dax as well. We will continue with further

outbreaks of rain and showers to get next week under way on Mond`y, but

high pressure will start to build as we move through the Tuesday. That

could mean the return of sole light frost.

Now, for an update on a story we've been following. He's been mhssing

for weeks and they thought he was lost forever. A rare carp, that swam

away from an aquatic nurserx in Hampshire during the floods has been

found ` nearly eight miles `way He was first spotted on Budds Lane in

Romsey, but then managed to get into the river Test, where he was

eventually picked up all thd way down in Totton. Frankie Peck has the

story. Although slightly battered `nd

bruised, Chad the carp has reunited with his fishy friends. When Romsey

World of Water flooded back in February, a number of fish lade

their escape. Chad swam awax with Steve! Steve is a sturgeon.

Chad sort of waved goodbye to Steve, and left him in the garage `s it

were. Chad carried on swimmhng. We haven't heard anything from him He

ended up in someone's garden. We got a phone call to say that thdy

thought it was Chad because he was a very friendly fish, and he was being

fed his breakfast every morning Then came another call from Jane,

almost eight miles away frol Romsey. Today, along with her husband they

collected their reward of ?2500 We made the phone call before we'd

heard about the reward. When I had a call from Mark to say they had got

Chad back, and it was as a result of our phone call, and that we were

going to get ?2500, I was shaking after I got off the phone. H don't

know what I would be like if I won the lottery!

Chad's adventures did leave their mark.

He has been under medical supervision, and in Chad hospital

for a couple of weeks. He h`s made a full recovery. He is a happx fish

now. He and Steve swam around for about 30 minutes.

Chad has now gone back to bding a big fish in a small pond.

That's all from us. There'll be a news summary at 8pm and we'll be

back with a bulletin at 10.25pm