Latest news with #RichardUdall
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Illegal parking 'massive problem' near Worcester taxi rank
Illegal parking near a taxi rank in Worcester is a "massive problem", a campaign group has Worcester said it recorded 300 offences in 24 hours using a time-lapse camera in Foregate Street last there and by The Cross causes problems, spokesperson Dan Brothwell said, because cars overtaking "cross the solid white line into the bike/bus lane, meaning cars drive head-on at people cycling – many of these are also taxis".Richard Udall, chair of Worcester City Council's licensing committee, said the authority had issued "hundreds" of fixed penalties and accused Bike Worcester of becoming an "anti-taxi campaign". Mr Brothwell said: "This is a massive problem – and we don't have a vendetta against taxis or cars.""Our time lapse video recorded over 300 parking offences and incidents of over-ranking in 24 hours. People turn a blind eye to it."I feel for Worcester's taxi drivers – they're being swamped by drivers from Wychavon and Wolverhampton."Mr Udall said the council could only enforce "at times when we are present" and repeated offenders would lose their licences. 'Unfair and unjustified' "Taxis are allowed to load and unload passengers on yellow lines, this may account for some of the issues they are complaining about.A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that 10 Worcester taxi drivers have had their licences revoked in the past three Udall said taxi drivers were becoming increasingly concerned about attacks upon them by Bike Worcester, saying they felt they were "unfair and unjustified"."The vast majority are law abiding professionals, providing a quality public service."They feel the constant attacks from Bike Worcester are beginning to look like an anti-taxi or an anti-car campaign."The council would continue to take action against any offending taxi drivers and work with drivers to reduce any problems, he added. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
World War Two memorial vandalised for third time
A World War Two war memorial in Worcester may never return to its home, after being vandalised for a third time. The Meco Memorial Sculpture in St John's remembers the victims of the only fatal German attack on the city. The Meco works were targeted in a bombing raid in 1940, killing seven workers. The leaf-shaped sculpture has been removed for repair after being pulled down, but councillor Richard Udall is no longer confident that it would be safe to return to its original place. "It makes me feel extremely angry and very frustrated. And I know from speaking to some of the relatives of the of the victims, they feel very hurt," he said. Mr Udall added: "It is shocking that a war memorial, which commemorated those who gave their lives fighting fascism in the second world war on the home front, has been vandalized in such a disrespectful way." The sculpture was unveiled in 2023 but was removed from Sanctuary Park in the run-up to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, leaving an empty space surrounded by benches. "There was no information about the bombing whatsoever but Worcester people knew about it, they knew people who had died or had been injured in the bombing. "So it was very significant in Worcester, and especially in St John's," he said. Mr Udall said he hoped those responsible "didn't know". "The only other and much less charitable explanation is they do know and don't care but I would hope that's not the case." A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: "The sculpture has been temporarily moved while the damage is assessed. We are assessing future options for the placement of the sculpture." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. War memorial for pottery workers to be replaced 'Proud day' as veteran's new memorial unveiled Worcester City Council
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Worcester World War Two memorial vandalised for third time
A World War Two war memorial in Worcester may never return to its home, after being vandalised for a third Meco Memorial Sculpture in St John's remembers the victims of the only fatal German attack on the city. The Meco works were targeted in a bombing raid in 1940, killing seven leaf-shaped sculpture has been removed for repair after being pulled down, but councillor Richard Udall is no longer confident that it would be safe to return to its original place."It makes me feel extremely angry and very frustrated. And I know from speaking to some of the relatives of the of the victims, they feel very hurt," he said. Mr Udall added: "It is shocking that a war memorial, which commemorated those who gave their lives fighting fascism in the second world war on the home front, has been vandalized in such a disrespectful way."The sculpture was unveiled in 2023 but was removed from Sanctuary Park in the run-up to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, leaving an empty space surrounded by benches. "There was no information about the bombing whatsoever but Worcester people knew about it, they knew people who had died or had been injured in the bombing. "So it was very significant in Worcester, and especially in St John's," he Udall said he hoped those responsible "didn't know"."The only other and much less charitable explanation is they do know and don't care but I would hope that's not the case."A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: "The sculpture has been temporarily moved while the damage is assessed. We are assessing future options for the placement of the sculpture." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
