11th July 2024 • The HERALD • Page 35 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v PVCu FASCIAS & GUTTERING CLEANING SERVICE Gutters checked for leaks and repaired Also new installations Driveway, Patio and Decking Cleaning and Restoration Service Very reliable and fully insured Good Rates and Professional Service Special Rates for OAP’s Call us now for a free quote Holbury 07884 112416 or 07368 661548 All joinery and carpentry requirements undertaken • Bespoke wooden windows, doors and staircases • PVCu windows and doors fitted • Decking, pergolas and out buildings • Custom made wardrobes and cupboards • Fencing and gates Contact us for advice and quotes Tel 023 8066 8021• Mobile 07467 594993 fillisjoinery@outlook.com Professional quality joinery for over 25 years PVCu DOOR SPECIALIST LOCK PROBLEMS? We Can Help with ALL types of Locks • Fix or Replace • Gain Entry Call us on 07453 327708 or 023 8155 0025 (24hr Service) • Police Approved Key Safes • All Work Guaranteed • Fully Insured • No Call Out Charge • No VAT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT LOCKSMITH Better Buses for the Waterside Campaign Waterside Changemakers, a grassroots group are trying to make life easier for people living in the Waterside area. e group recently carried out a survey with bus users at local bus stops to seek their opinions on the current service in the Waterside. 272 Waterside residents completed the survey with the ndings prompting the launch of the ‘Better Buses for the Waterside’ campaign, calling for more frequent and reliable buses, with nobody le behind because of where they live. Serena Merritt, spokesperson for the campaign, said: “Our survey results show that many of those most affected by a poor bus service in the Waterside are vulnerable or at risk of becoming so because of a lack of public services or opportunities. Unreliable and infrequent buses have damaging knockon effects on the lives of people of all ages. It’s been harrowing talking to people and hearing how they struggle to make hospital appointments and reach workplaces. There is a real risk that smaller towns and villages like Marchwood, Holbury, Blackfield, Langley and Calshot are simply going to be left behind. I worry for the elderly who become socially isolated but also the young people denied job opportunities because of the lack of reliable public transport. Communities in the Waterside are crying out for a better bus service and we will help ensure their voices are heard.” Tom Wardle, who works with the New Forest Cost of Living Steering Group as the New Forest Partnership Campaigns Manager and helped set up Waterside Changemakers, said: “A regular and reliable bus service Calshot, we have transferred this stretch of the route to Bluestar 9. We review the number of journeys made on each of our services regularly - and we adjust the frequency accordingly. At present, not enough people are travelling on Bluestar 8 to justify an increase in the immediate future. We will, of course continue to monitor the situation. Both these routes are currently affected by traffic congestion and road works, both on the Totton bypass and the Redbridge flyover. This poses significant challenges for our team, in terms of punctuality - and my colleagues work very hard to minimise any disruption. I’m also pleased to note that Hampshire County Council is introducing two, large scale, bus priority schemes, which I expect to significantly improve reliability. In the meantime, I’d like to thank those who travel with us across Waterside for their understanding if some of our buses are not always as punctual as we would like them to be.” For the latest information about the campaign and the survey results please visit: www.facebook.com/ WatersideChangemakers could be a real lifeline for people on the Waterside, connecting people with job opportunities, schools and colleges, and ensuring that people living in semi-rural areas don’t feel socially isolated.” e group have recently met with Richard Tydsley, Bluestar General Manager, to share the results of the survey. Richard Tydsley, Bluestar General Manager said: “I recently met with representatives from Better Buses for the Waterside, and I’d like to thank them for their feedback. Thanks to support from Hampshire County Council and through funding from the Bus Service Improvement Plan, we will be increasing Bluestar 9 back to every 20 minutes from September. We are encouraged that the number of journeys on this service has grown by eight percent over the past year - and we hope the improved frequency will help this trend continue. Bluestar 8 also saw numbers drop significantly during COVID, but we have continued to operate an hourly service. Originally continuing past Hythe to Hampshire’s Most Scenic Road Half Marathon The 2024 Solent Half Marathon is taking place on Sunday 6th October, 10am at Gang Warily. e Solent Half Marathon has been running for over 30 years, organised by Hardley Runners. It is a friendly race with up to 500 entries and a lovely course winding through the New Forest around Exbury and along the Solent shore at Lepe. e route starts at Gang Warily Recreation Centre and heads out through Rollestone Road towards Hill Top where runners take in excellent views of the New Forest, from there, the course leads towards Exbury Gardens and continues along the coast road and Lepe Shoreline with spectacular views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight, it then continues on country lanes towards Stanswood and Fawley before heading back to the nish on the grass at Gang Warily. It’s a great course for the competitive runner, for anyone just wanting to take on their rst half marathon challenge, or as a training run for a full marathon. ere’s lots of friendly encouragement from the Hardley Runners organising team, their fabulous local volunteers and spectators. Discounted entry fees are available until the end of July, with EA A liated runners bene tting from a £2 discount right up until the closing date. e race starts at 10am from Gang Warily Recreation Centre (SO45 1GA) and all nishers will be chip timed and receive a bespoke medal and a running memento. Minimum age for runners is 17. Spectators are very welcome and really give the runners a boost! Enter online at: www. hardleyrunners.co.uk/ solenthalf if you would like more information please email: HardleyRunners@ gmail.com
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