Latest news with #Clevedon
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Moment woman is caught on doorbell camera repeatedly abusing her dog and dragging him by the lead is shown in court as she is banned from keeping any animals for five years
This is the shocking moment a woman was caught on a doorbell camera repeatedly abusing her dog and dragging him by the lead. Lauren Leigh Barker could be seen screaming and swearing at little Rocco as she forced him through a door and physically pushing him around. The poor pup was repeatedly kicked before she slammed the door - bellowing at him to 'move', after which he can be heard making pitiful noises. Others show her dragging Rocco around on a lead, shouting at him and repeatedly slamming doors. Baker, of Clevedon, North Somerset, was found to have failed to meet her two dogs' need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease due to the infliction of physical violence, abusive and intimidatory behaviour for an incident in October 2023. She was also found to have caused unnecessary suffering to Rocco through aggressive and intimidatory behaviour for an incident in September 2023. The vet who viewed the footage said in their report: 'In my opinion Rocco has been caused to suffer due to the person responsible for the welfare of this animal behaving in an aggressive, intimidating and physically abusive manner towards this dog. 'Suffering will have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of fear, distress and possibly pain for a period of at least several minutes, possibly longer.' Baker, who had a second dog called Iddy, was disqualified from keeping animals, which she cannot appeal for two years, after being prosecuted by the RSPCA. She was also sentenced to 12 weeks custody, suspended for 18 months, and 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and ordered to pay £500 costs when she was sentenced at North Somerset Magistrates Court on May 6. Baker maintains she is not guilty and that Rocco was an aggressive dog so she was acting in self-defence and plans to appeal her conviction. Behavioural assessments were carried out on Rocco while he was being cared for by a team at an RSPCA rescue centre. He was found to behave favourably in a range of situations, including being tolerant of vets who were able to carry out checks without any issues or the need for additional restraint, making him suitable for rehoming. RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters, who investigated for the charity, said: 'We're extremely grateful when people report animal welfare concerns to us and share any evidence they have that can help our investigations.'
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Bizarre squiggly road markings leave drivers baffled – would YOU know what they mean?
BIZARRE squiggly road marking have left residents baffled and wreaked havoc for drivers. But following widespread criticism, the local council has decided to take action. 2 The unique wiggly road markings in Clevedon, Somerset, have now been removed following a fierce backlash. After review, the traffic scheme has been scrapped with the wobbly lines removed and the original parking reinstated. The work to remove the road markings started in February and was completed at the weekend at a total cost of £500,000. It is thought that over £1 million was spent on previously installing the lines. In addition to the sea-facing parking being re-introduced, a mini-roundabout, pedestrian crossing and new loading bays have also been created. 2 The seafront will remain a one-way system and the two-way cycle path has made way for a contra-flow lane. Overall, the works took 13 weeks to complete and the whole scheme including its removal has cost the taxpayer nearly £1.5 million. North Somerset Council installed the wavy lines, cycle lane and one-way system along Beach Road in 2022. This was in an effort to slow drivers and deter people from roadside parking there. But the markings sparked confusion and anger amongst residents who could no longer park their motors on the seafront overlooking the Bristol Channel. At the time, one local reckoned the markings resembled a "lane for drink-drivers." Another insisted that "the road layout is a hot mess." It was also described as "Balamory from hell for a motorcycle" by a third resident. The RAC previously dubbed the markings as one of the most "bizarre" schemes it had seen. MP Liam Fox also hit out at the "shambles" and called for the scheme to be axed. The scheme even prompted protests amid widespread media ridicule. At the time, a council spokesman said: "The lines are a design feature to reduce the potential abuse of parking at these locations and help make the road feel narrower, which is a technique used to slow traffic speeds. 'In this case, the area is adjacent to the sailing club entrance so needs to be kept clear. 'A wavy line provides uncertainty to the driver and is proven to help reduce unwanted parking.' North Somerset Council has been approached for comment.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Clevedon's 'bizarre' wiggle road markings removed amid £1.5m cost
Work to remove wiggly road markings that sparked controversy in a seaside town has been Somerset Council caused outrage in Clevedon when it introduced the changes, which included the removal of sea-facing parking, along the waterfront in 2022. RAC previously described the lines as one of the "most bizarre" road schemes it had originally cost about £1m and a further £425,000 was spent on the reversal, but the council said the move was "in line with significant public feedback" from businesses and residents. Councillor Hannah Young, cabinet member for highways, said: "We have listened to the local community and reinstated sea-facing parking." Work to remove the markings started in February and also included creating new loading bays, a single contraflow cycle path, a mini roundabout, a pedestrian crossings and vehicular access to the promenade for boats and ice cream vans. New planters will be added to the area and the community will be consulted on the plans. Councillor Young added: "We would like to thank everyone for their patience and encourage all residents and visitors to come and support the seafront businesses that have been affected as you enjoy the new configuration."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Britain's daftest road markings are finally removed after council spent £1.5m on wiggly lines that left drivers and cyclists baffled
Britain's 'most bonkers' wiggly road markings - which wreaked havoc on drivers and cyclists and sparked widespread protests - have finally been removed in a humiliating blow to the council who wasted £1.5million of taxpayers' cash on them. The notorious road markings, dubbed the 'yellow brick road', were met with a wave of criticism and confusion when first laid down on the Georgian seafront at Clevedon, north Somerset, in 2022. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million. North Somerset council said the lines helped make the road feel narrower, which would help reduce the speed of motorists. But the new seafront layout sparked derision and anger among locals and visitors who could no longer park their vehicles facing towards the sea to enjoy the stunning views across the Bristol Channel. The traffic scheme - described by the RAC as one of the 'most bizarre' it has ever seen - was reviewed and the decision made to reinstate the original parking and remove the wobbly lines. The work, which took 13 weeks to complete and cost a further £500,000, was finally completed at the weekend. The works re-introduced sea facing parking, removed the two-way cycle path, the yellow brick road, the wavy line and made way for a mini-roundabout. North Somerset council said the works would 'improve' pedestrian crossing points. Resident Cathy Hawkins who set up the campaign group 'Save our Seafront' said the scheme was a 'disaster' and a 'complete waste of money'. Cathy, who claims the scheme cost £2million, said: 'They made themselves a laughing stock in the country. 'I don't think it is much better than it was before and it is a complete waste of £2million. 'It is still one way and it still causes real traffic issues - I'm not particularly happy that it is not in the initial way but it's better than it was. ' She claimed her campaign group 'begged' the council to refuse going ahead with the project. Ms Hawkins added: 'This is the outcome of not listening to their residents. 'They refused to speak to us and they went ahead. 'It was a ridiculous scheme that was dangerous. People could open their doors onto the cycle lane which meant people could get knocked down their bikes. 'There were massive issues reported - it was an awful design in the first place. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million The wiggly lines are being removed in Clevedon, Somerset, following the outrage 'They need to do what the residents wants not what the council wants. 'They are putting these schemes all over the country. This has got to stop - councilors are not there to force things onto people. People are fed up with it.' The initial plans were originally met with heavy criticism from local residents - who even staged a 'conga line' protest in fancy dress amidst widespread media ridicule of the project.
Bloomberg
09-05-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
UK Sewage Crisis Leaves Beachgoers Sick and Frustrated
Charlie Clarke fell severely ill in late summer 2023 after a swim at Clevedon Marine Lake in southwest England while training for a Triathlon. The next day he collapsed on the street near his home and was taken to the hospital, where after a series of tests he was diagnosed with myocarditis — an inflammation of his heart muscle caused by an infection. The diagnosis was a shock for Clarke, an otherwise healthy 28-year old designer, and he had to stop training. It took him about six months to do sports again and a whole year to get back to the same level of fitness. Since then, he has been 'very cautious' and so far only trained in pools. He pulled out of a triathlon in September on the morning of the event after he learned of a recent sewage spill at the beach where the swim was taking place.
