Herald - Issue 396

Page 56 • The HERALD • 8th October 2020 v SEND YOUR LOCAL NEWS TO THE HERALD v 023 8084 9370 Prospect Place, Hythe SO45 6AU • MOT’ s • MOT R epairs • A ir C on • A uto E lectrics • S ervicing •W elding • D iagnostics • S uspension • T yres • C lutches • C am B elts • B rakes FAWLEY GARAGE SERVICE - PARTS - M.O.T.’S ALL MAKES OF VEHICLE SERVICED AND REPAIRED • D iagnostic F ault F inding • T yres - F itting & B alancing • L aser T racking FAWLEY 8089 1057 THE VILLAGE, CALSHOT ROAD, FAWLEY Holbury Service Station MOT’S & SERVICING and Repairs to Cars and Vans TYRES FITTED WHILE YOU WAIT Budget and Branded Tyres held in stock Member of Good Garage Scheme Long Lane, Holbury SO45 2NZ Tel: 023 8089 3727 Web: www.holburyservicestation.com Email: holburyservicestation@hotmail.co.uk All Major Cards Accepted A rst-of-its-kind audit into the mapping of potholes in England has been launched by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, aided by data from on-road businesses such as Uber and Deliveroo, to better target improvements so that roads are in top condition. e Department for Transport will work with Gaist, a highway data and mapping company, businesses such as Deliveroo, Uber, Tesco and Ocado, alongside local highway authorities to identify ‘pothole hot-spots’. Combining collated data on current potholes held by nation-wide businesses and the most up-to-date bank of roads imagery in the country from Gaist, the Department of Transport will be able to paint the most comprehensive picture ever of where funding is most needed to make sure roads are not plagued by potholes – making them as safe as possible. e Government has already committed £2.5bn in funding for pothole repairs in the biggest nationwide programme ever announced. e launch of the review comes as new data reveals that highway maintenance works undertaken in the past months when roads were quieter during lockdown has led to 319 miles of resurfacing, making sure that roads are in better condition. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I want our roads to be as safe as possible, so during the lockdown we’ve resurfaced hundreds of miles of road. But now I want to go further by identifying critical potholes and ensuring these are fixed as quickly as possible. “We’re teaming up with delivery companies, who know the roads well, in order to map out where remaining potholes exist and then relentlessly target them with our record £2.5bn to pothole repair fund.” Charlie Wren, Director of Operations at Deliveroo, said: “Deliveroo riders go above and beyond to bring people the food they love, and this is a great way to make sure they and other road users are safe on the road. We’re looking forward to working with the Government on this important scheme to help make the roads safer for Deliveroo riders and others.” Since 2010 the Government has provided over £1.2 billion solely to help repair potholes on the local highway network – including £500 million from the £2.5 billion announced in the Budget earlier this year. Safe roads have never been more important, with the Government urging commuters, parents and school children to choose to cycle or walk for part or all of their commutes to help ease demand on public transport and travel safely as the country recovers from the pandemic. Better quality roads will also make it easier, safer and more convenient than ever for people to cycle. e Government has previously announced plans to deliver a cycling and walking revolution by investing £2 billion over the next ve years to support more people to choose active travel. With potholes posing a problem to all road users’ safety, the pothole mapping review will allow for the Government to ably target the worst-a ected areas, Looking after our mental health is important at all ages, but it can be even more important as we get older. A recent study found that one in five people over the age of 55 suffer from poor mental health. Here are some tips to consider: Be prepared for change - With the removal of a statutory retirement age, people have the option to work later in life. is provides many opportunities such as working part time or changing to exible working hours. Keeping in touch - Friends can help to keep you on track when life becomes di cult. It can be easy to lose touch with people, especially if their life seems busy. Having friends is a positive way to maintain good emotional health, even when doing so may sometimes seem like hard work. Staying active - As well as the well-known bene ts to physical activity such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercise can also provide many other bene ts such as boosting self-esteem, promoting a good sleep pattern and providing the opportunity to meet others. Having a plan - Naturally there are considerations that come with later life so it is good to have a plan. A plan can help you think through all the aspects of a problem or situation. By purchasing life insurance, you’re securing peace of mind should the unexpected happen. Your family are your most important asset. With life cover you can ensure your loved ones are taken care of when you’re no longer around, helping to ease any anxiety you may be experiencing. For information visit www.co-opinsurance.co.uk/ life-cover/life-insurance FILLING IN THE GAPS levelling up road quality across the country. Mental Health Matters Courtesy of Co-op Insurance