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Author: FVCA

Take extra care on rural roads during harvest season

West Mercia Police are warning motorists of the dangers that may be present at this time of year as farmers are using the roads more when harvesting and moving their produce, and reminding them that extra care and patience should be taken during this important season.

Agriculture is one of the region’s key industries and this time of year is very busy in the farming calendar with many crops requiring harvest and transportation, often within a short window of opportunity in order to ensure consumers can enjoy the produce in prime condition. However, this burst of activity traditionally sees a rise in road collisions, many of which are preventable.

A significant proportion of the collisions involving agricultural vehicles occur on rural roads with 60mph speed limits, and many near turnings into farms. The typical causes of collisions are poor overtaking manoeuvres and inappropriate speed, with drivers finding themselves unable to stop in time when presented with a slow moving or wide vehicle.  Since the start of 2017 there have been 83 collisions across West Mercia involving an agricultural vehicle.

A further hazard is caused by mud and debris being brought onto the roads by tractors and other vehicles that have been working in the fields. Under the Highways Act (1980), farmers and contractors have a legal obligation to ensure their vehicles are cleared of any mud or debris before entering the public highway. Excess mud on the road is a danger to cars, motorbikes and cyclists and can change the way a vehicle handles, causing skidding, especially in wet conditions.

Superintendent Mel Crowther, West Mercia Police Force Operations comments: “Every year we face problems with agricultural vehicles leaving large amounts of mud and debris on the roads during the harvest season. While the majority of farmers take steps to ensure they keep the roads clear and safe, not all are as diligent.

“We would like to remind farmers and contractors of their responsibilities under the Highways Act and we will continue to take a tough stance against anyone who we believe is being reckless and irresponsible, this also includes other motoring offences such as mobile phone use.

“Although many drivers of agricultural vehicles use the roads in a responsible way, we are reminding them to be aware of the impact they can have and consider other road users while they undertake their work. During busy traffic periods, pull into a lay-by or safe place to allow other vehicles to pass safely, to avoid traffic build-up and prevent unsafe overtaking manoeuvres.  

“We would also like to remind general motorists that extra care and patience should be taken during the harvest season.  While it can be frustrating travelling behind an agricultural vehicle it’s not worth getting impatient and putting yourself and other road users at risk with dangerous manoeuvres.”

Drivers of agricultural vehicles or anyone wishing to report any issues regarding debris or mud on the road should contact West Mercia Police on 101 or online at www.westmercia.police.uk

  • September 28, 2020 by

Fairfield Flicks Screenings Halted

Last week Fairfield Flicks, which is operated by Fairfield Village Community Association, had their first film screening since lockdown, numbers  attending  Knives Out were low and the Community Association made a loss.
 
Yesterday, Fairfield Flicks screened their second film, Mrs Lowry & Son, which was well received.  Unfortunately numbers were once again low, 9 people including volunteers in the audience, and againthe Community Association made a loss.
 
The low numbers could be that people do not feel confident to support local community cinema, understandably worried about Covid-19.
 
Losses are not something that the Community Association can afford, with available funds very low. 
 
Until the Community Association  committee feels that there is confidence to support local community cinema, and risk to finances changes for the better, Fairfield Flicks will be suspended until 2021.
 
The Community Association  appreciate that there will be some disappointed people, hopefully when confidence grows and infection rates are lower the Association can relaunch their community initiative.

  • September 23, 2020 by

Reducing Energy Bills

Act on Energy has a free specialist helpline open to all who need help with reducing fuel bills, switching suppliers, support with accessing emergency heating and much more.  The helpline number is: 0800 988 2881 or they can be contact via their website: www.actonenergy.org.uk

  • September 11, 2020 by

NEW Lifeline – *6 week FREE trial* 

NEW Lifeline (run by Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Councils) offer a free six week lifeline service, including the installation of key safe if required, for clients who are about to leave hospital and would benefit from Assistive Technology.  Contactless installations are available and no landline is required.  A leaflet with further details on the 6 week free trial is attached and more information is on the website, which includes a short YouTube clip on how the service works: www.newlifeline.org.uk/contactless.   

For further information, please call 01527 534060.

  • September 11, 2020 by

Advertising Standards Agency launches new Scam Ad Alert System

The ASA respond to concerns and complaints from consumers and businesses and take action to ban ads which are misleading, harmful, offensive or irresponsible. As well as responding to complaints, they monitor ads to check they’re following the rules. They also conduct research to test public opinion and identify where they need to take action to protect consumers.

In 2019, they resolved 34,717 complaints relating to almost 25,000 ads.

Consumers can now report scam ads appearing in paid-for space online to the ASA. They will promptly send an alert to all participating platforms with key details of the scam ad, as well as to publishers when the ad appeared on a publisher owned site. If they locate them, partners will remove the offending ad and suspend the advertiser’s account. In some instances, they may also add them to ‘blocklists’, even when the ads weren’t appearing on their platform, stopping them from appearing in future.

Tackling online scam ads is a global problem, requiring a joined-up response involving law-enforcement bodies and statutory regulators, platforms and all involved in the online ad industry, as well as national advertising regulatory bodies such as the ASA. The Scam Ad Alert system coincides with the Consumer Protection Partnership’s Scams Awareness Campaign which this year focuses on COVID-19 related scams. Working with partners including National Trading Standards, Citizens Advice, Competition and Markets Authority and Trading Standards Scotland, we aim to reduce the risk and impact of scams by raising awareness amongst consumers and equipping them with the skills needed to recognise and report them.

ASA Chief Executive, Guy Parker said: “The overwhelming majority of ads responsibly inform and entertain their audience, but a small minority are published with criminal intent. Our Scam Ad Alert system will play an important part in helping detect and disrupt these types of scams. By working closely with our partners such as Google and Facebook, we can act quickly to have problem ads taken down as part of our ongoing work to better protect consumers online.”

If you see an advert online that doesn’t look or feel right, then you can now report this directly to the ASA online at www.asa.org.uk

  • September 11, 2020 by

TV Licence Fees

As you may know, free TV Licences for all over 75s in the UK, funded by the Government, came to an end this year. From 1st August 2020, anyone aged 75 or over who is not in receipt of Pension Credit (a benefit available to pensioners on low incomes) needs to pay for their TV Licence.

The TV Licensing team are contacting everyone who needs to apply via post over the next couple of months. It’s important to check that the communication that you receive is genuine and here are some ways you can check:

  • You will not be rushed into making payment; you have two months from the date of the letter to apply for your licence, anything telling you that it’s time critical will be a scam.
  • The TV licencing team will never phone you just to ask for your bank or credit or debit card details.
  • They will only email you in response to an email you’ve sent them, or if you’ve used their website to change your details (or buy a licence).

The website has much more of the information you need to protect yourself from fraud. You can find out more at www.tvl.co.uk/scams and if you’re unsure about any communication you’ve received from them, please call them on 0300 790 6151.

  • September 11, 2020 by