Latest news with #MarkLucas
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Wheelie Bins One Year On
Wheelie bins have been used in Marlborough for almost 12 months and most people are 'getting it sorted'. Council's Solid Waste Manager Mark Lucas said the kerbside collection system had yielded remarkable results since its inception on 1 July last year. 'Marlburians have been impressive in their recycling efforts, but when we look at the recyclables still going to the landfill, we can do even better, and we need to.' With the kerbside collection now well established, it was time to reflect on the progress made and the improvements still needed, he said. This includes bins that are too close together, not directly at the kerbside, placed the wrong way around, or with more than one latch attached to the lid. Improving this will ensure greater efficiency and smoother and safer operations for collection trucks. Since the kerbside scheme began, approximately 4,982 tonnes of general waste have been collected, 1,343 tonnes of recyclable materials processed, and 1,012 tonnes of glass diverted from landfill. On average, each waste bin holds 14kg, the recycling bin 4.5kg and the glass crate just under 21kg. 'These figures highlight the vital role Marlborough residents play in maintaining a clean and sustainable community by diverting items that are recyclable from our landfill,' Mr Lucas said. 'While participation and engagement in the kerbside collection system has been strong, correct bin presentation and incorrect contents remain a challenge for our contractor and sorting teams.' Bins must be placed 50cm apart, including from the crate to the recycling bin, to enable the mechanised truck arm to collect them safely and effectively. Bins also need to be directly on the kerbside closest to where the collection truck passes and be clear of parked vehicles and overhanging trees. 'The kerbside collection system relies on community participation. By making small changes in how bins are placed, how full they are and what goes in them, Marlborough residents can help us operate a more effective system. Let's continue to work together to 'get it sorted' and keep our district clean and sustainable,' Mr Lucas said. Note: Wheelie bin etiquette • bins must be placed on the kerb with the front facing the road • the lid opening should face the kerb • the lid must be shut and bins not overflowing • only one lid catch per bin should be used • put the correct items in the relevant bin
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New £90,000 Mercedes engulfed by waves after hapless driver gets STUCK on beauty spot beach
Locals reacted with a mixture of amusement and exasperation SINKING FEELING New £90,000 Mercedes engulfed by waves after hapless driver gets STUCK on beauty spot beach Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW £90,000 Mercedes was engulfed by waves after the hapless driver drove onto a beach for sunset and was caught by the tide. The 25-plate black hire car was trapped for two days after driving too far onto Black Rocks Sands in Gwynedd, North Wales. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The shiny new car got caught out by the tide while watching the sunset Credit: WNS 4 It was almost entirely submerged and couldn't be retried for two days Credit: WNS The shiny Mercedes-Benz coupe is the latest in a spate of vehicles to get caught by the tide on the beauty spot beach. Several vehicles have succumbed to the sea already this year despite repeated warnings to steer clear. The Merc was stuck and partially submerged for two days as its owners waited around for a low tide to try and retrieve it. Only a fortnight earlier, an Audi met a similar fate at the opposite end of the beach near Porthmadog. Whilst the strandings are a nightmare for the drivers, they at least provide some amusement and interest for beach regulars. One revealed it is a common occurrence, saying: "I've lost count of how many cars have done this on Blackrock." Someone else quipped on social media: "Oops. Try and explain that to the insurance company because it won't cover stupidity." Another wrote: "What an absolute plonker." A woman had more sympathy: "Omg I'd be devastated. Easy to make a mistake, I feel sorry for them." And one more said: "It's the cars I feel sorry for." Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained Meanwhile, a van driver claimed last month that he had to fork out £43,000 after his vehicle was trapped in a posh car park for two years. Furniture designer Mark Lucas, 48, left his Vauxhall Vivaro in an underground mechanical stacked car park on Rathbones Square in December 2022 as he worked at a nearby house. However, later that evening he couldn't access his car because the stacker had "malfunctioned". Mark said after speaking to the concierge he was told he could collect the van after the weekend, but alleges ongoing mechanical problems meant he couldn't get his van for two years. 4 The was finally uncovered again during a low tide after two days Credit: WNS 4 Black Rocks Sands in Gwynedd, North Wales, is a popular spot for drivers to watch the setting sun Credit: WNS The amount he eventually paid out - taking into account s fees, van depreciation and the hire of the temporary vehicle - was several thousand more than the £39,000 he paid for the vehicle just months before. On January 31 2023, he was told in an email that the van was stuck and a new lifting platform would take 40 weeks to fit and repair, reports The Telegraph. In the meantime, Mark hired a van for £800 a month. Early last year he said he was informed repairs were unlikely until May and that any losses would be recovered by whoever had overall responsibility. Mark told the newspaper: "Every time we thought we would get close to the date when we thought we could get the van back they pushed it back." He added: "I've had a great amount of frustration over it and a great amount of anxiety over it, we haven't been able to grow our business because we literally cannot afford to put any more money into the business."
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
New £90,000 Mercedes engulfed by waves after hapless driver gets STUCK on beauty spot beach
A NEW £90,000 Mercedes was engulfed by waves after the hapless driver drove onto a beach for sunset and was caught by the tide. The 25-plate black hire car was trapped for two days after driving too far onto Black Rocks Sands in Gwynedd, North Wales. 4 The shiny Mercedes-Benz coupe is the latest in a spate of vehicles to get caught by the tide on the beauty spot beach. Several vehicles have succumbed to the sea already this year despite repeated warnings to steer clear. The Merc was stuck and partially submerged for two days as its owners waited around for a low tide to try and retrieve it. Only a fortnight earlier, an Audi met a similar fate at the opposite end of the beach near Porthmadog. Whilst the strandings are a nightmare for the drivers, they at least provide some amusement and interest for beach regulars. One revealed it is a common occurrence, saying: "I've lost count of how many cars have done this on Blackrock." Someone else quipped on social media: "Oops. Try and explain that to the insurance company because it won't cover stupidity." Another wrote: "What an absolute plonker." A woman had more sympathy: "Omg I'd be devastated. Easy to make a mistake, I feel sorry for them." And one more said: "It's the cars I feel sorry for." Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained Meanwhile, a van driver claimed last month that he had to fork out £43,000 after his vehicle was trapped in a posh car park for two years. Furniture designer Mark Lucas, 48, left his Vauxhall Vivaro in an underground mechanical stacked car park on Rathbones Square in December 2022 as he worked at a nearby house. However, later that evening he couldn't access his car because the stacker had "malfunctioned". Mark said after speaking to the concierge he was told he could collect the van after the weekend, but alleges ongoing mechanical problems meant he couldn't get his van for two years. 4 4 The amount he eventually paid out - taking into account s fees, van depreciation and the hire of the temporary vehicle - was several thousand more than the £39,000 he paid for the vehicle just months before. On January 31 2023, he was told in an email that the van was stuck and a new lifting platform would take 40 weeks to fit and repair, reports The Telegraph. In the meantime, Mark hired a van for £800 a month. Early last year he said he was informed repairs were unlikely until May and that any losses would be recovered by whoever had overall responsibility. Mark told the newspaper: "Every time we thought we would get close to the date when we thought we could get the van back they pushed it back."
The Irish Sun
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New £90,000 Mercedes engulfed by waves after hapless driver gets STUCK on beauty spot beach
A NEW £90,000 Mercedes was engulfed by waves after the hapless driver drove onto a beach for sunset and was caught by the tide. The 25-plate black hire car was trapped for two days after driving too far onto Black Rocks Sands in Gwynedd, North Wales. Advertisement 4 The shiny new car got caught out by the tide while watching the sunset Credit: WNS 4 It was almost entirely submerged and couldn't be retried for two days Credit: WNS The shiny Mercedes-Benz coupe is the latest in a spate of vehicles to get caught by the tide on the beauty spot beach. Several vehicles have succumbed to the sea already this year despite repeated warnings to steer clear. The Merc was stuck and partially submerged for two days as its owners waited around for a low tide to try and retrieve it. Only a fortnight earlier, an Audi met a similar fate at the opposite end of the beach near Porthmadog. Advertisement read more in motors Whilst the strandings are a nightmare for the drivers, they at least provide some amusement and interest for beach regulars. One revealed it is a common occurrence, saying: "I've lost count of how many cars have done this on Blackrock." Someone else quipped on social media: "Oops. Try and explain that to the insurance company because it won't cover stupidity." Another wrote: "What an absolute plonker." Advertisement Most read in Motors A woman had more sympathy: "Omg I'd be devastated. Easy to make a mistake, I feel sorry for them." And one more said: "It's the cars I feel sorry for." Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained Meanwhile, a van driver claimed last month that he had to fork out £43,000 after his vehicle was Furniture designer Mark Lucas, 48, left his Vauxhall Vivaro in an underground mechanical stacked car park on Rathbones Square in December 2022 as he worked at a nearby house. Advertisement However, later that evening he couldn't access his car because the stacker had "malfunctioned". Mark said after speaking to the concierge he was told he could collect the van after the weekend, but alleges ongoing mechanical problems meant he couldn't get his van for two years. 4 The was finally uncovered again during a low tide after two days Credit: WNS 4 Black Rocks Sands in Gwynedd, North Wales, is a popular spot for drivers to watch the setting sun Credit: WNS Advertisement The amount he eventually paid out - taking into account s fees, van depreciation and the hire of the temporary vehicle - was several thousand more than the £39,000 he paid for the vehicle just months before. On January 31 2023, he was told in an email that the van was stuck and a new lifting platform would take 40 weeks to fit and repair, reports In the meantime, Mark hired a van for £800 a month. Early last year he said he was informed repairs were unlikely until May and that any losses would be recovered by whoever had overall responsibility. Advertisement Mark told the newspaper: "Every time we thought we would get close to the date when we thought we could get the van back they pushed it back." He added: "I've had a great amount of frustration over it and a great amount of anxiety over it, we haven't been able to grow our business because we literally cannot afford to put any more money into the business."
Perth Now
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Two-year wait over for owners of van stuck in carpark
Imagine parking your car in a carpark and not being able to get it out for over two years. That's exactly what happened to Steve Davies and Mark Lucas, who parked their van in a mechanical stacking carpark in central London way back in December 2022. The BBC reports they were only able to retrieve their Vauxhall Vivaro Electric – sold here as the Peugeot E-Expert – earlier this month, after repairs on the stacker it was stored in were finally completed in March. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'It fired up and it had enough juice to drive itself out of the bay, which we're very pleased about as it could've been quite awkward otherwise,' said Mr Lucas. The electric van is being taken in for servicing and assessment for any damage. Mr Davies told the BBC his firm, HCS Furniture, is now low on money after close to £50,000 (~A$105,000) had to be spent on renting, then buying, a new van, and slammed Rathbone Square's management CBRE for poor communication. A parking stacker in North America Credit: CarExpert 'I've taken a few knocks in the 40 years I've had the business, but this has been the biggest and the coffers are fairly low at the moment,' he said. 'If they'd just communicated better and told us what was really happening, it wouldn't have been so traumatic.' The businessmen weren't the only ones to have a vehicle stuck in the Rathbone Square development, with the BBC sighting an email that said other trapped vehicles will be released over the next month, and reporting word from a resident that up to 40 vehicles were still trapped in the stack. CBRE declined to comment to the BBC, which reports that owners of trapped vehicles may be able to claim costs from the company for the inconvenience and 'loss of enjoyment' of their vehicles.
