Love Andover Observer February 11th

10 | NEWS
Refurbishment work raises concerns
By Ella Palmer
FROM the 1st of March Anton lakes
nature reserve will be undergoing
path refurbishment works for
approximately 5 weeks causing some
disruption to walkers. The council
have asked visitors to adhere to all
the site notices and path closures
that may be in place to facilitate the
works.
Councillor Karen Hamilton shared
the post, which raised a question
with the local community. Resident
James Cook asked: “are they putting
the same finish as they have around
Rooksbury, if they are, it will turn into
a muddy mess every time it rains,
and a dusty and slippery mess every
time it is dry?”
The response was: “The finish
will complement the current path
gravel on site. The larger stones will
be removed from the existing surface,
it will be releveled and redressed with
path gravel to colour match the existing
path. This is a different material to
that used at Rooksbury Mill. Specific
specifications for this can be found
Thursday, February 11, 2021 01264 883100 www.loveandover.com
on the maps attached to my previous
email. Work to refurbish the path at
Rooksbury will be addressed in the
spring when ground conditions have
improved with drier weather.“
Details of the areas to be targeted
shown in green and brown on the map
pictured. The area marked in pink is
due to be scheduled for summer 2021.
Work will involve the removal of large
aggregate from existing pathways
before releveling and top dressing.
Anton lakes, is a popular nature
reserve for local people and families.
Help is at hand
By Sarah Gisbourne
THIS winter is tough for everyone, but
particularly for those in fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty is caused by a combination
of low income, high energy costs
and inefficient housing. Households
in fuel poverty typically have other
vulnerabilities such as old age, young
children, ill-health and disability. We
want to raise awareness of the situation
locally and support available for
those struggling to keep warm or pay
for electricity and gas.
Based on the latest BEIS and PHE
statistics, an estimated 39,915 Hampshire
households are living in fuel
poverty and there are approximately
512 Hampshire excess winter deaths.
Public Health England and National
Energy Action (NEA) have highlighted
the impact that Covid-19 can have on
fuel poverty and the increased risk
from living in a cold home:
Financial instability caused by Covid-
19 will make it more difficult for people
to pay their bills and more likely to get
into debt, for some this may be the
first time they have got into problems
and they may not know where to get
support.
Unemployment, working from home
and lockdown means that people will
be using more energy and could be
spending more time in a cold home.
Coping strategies such as only heating
(and the whole household spending
time in) one room, not ventilating the
home to avoid draughts, and seeking
out heated public spaces could increase
the spread of Covid-19.
Householders with respiratory and
circulatory health conditions affected
by cold weather are likely to be at
greater risk from Covid-19 and worsening
health caused by a cold home
could put extra strain on NHS services.
There is local Support available, if
you need help, please contact Andover
Citizens Advice Centre who can offer
help and support to access local ,Covid
Winter Grants, which are funded by
Hampshire County Council, to help
towards fuel payments. You can call
them on 01264 723641.
Ange Moon, Chief Officer Citizens
Advice Test Valley shared with Love
Andover: “There are a number of extra
grants available at this difficult time
for those who need a little extra help
to keep warm this winter and through
Photo Credit: Paul Hewerdine
(Left) Map Credit TBVC
Local initiative delivers
groceries to your door
Call for fair access for all
By Ella Palmer
CLLR Luigi Gregori has called for
“fair access for all Hampshire tips.”
Mr Gregori claims that the Hampshire
Recycling Centres are discriminating
against those who don’t have
access to a vehicle and has worked
alongside his colleagues in Winchester
to coordinate a petition across
Hampshire.
During the first lockdown in March,
the Hampshire recycling centres were
closed to all residents.
Once the Government lifted the
lockdown Cllr Gregori stated: “the
right to walk, cycle or use a mobility
scooter to visit the tips was officially
withdrawn by Hampshire County
Council.”
Once the lockdown was lifted,
Hampshire County Council developed
an online booking system, to reduce
the amount of traffic build up in the
local area, which Mr Gregori and his
colleagues claim to have ‘created two
major problems’. The Lib Dem said
that you can only access the dump if
you have a car, and therefore Hampshire
County Council are not offering
an inclusive service to those who wish
to access the recycling centre on foot,
on a bike or mobility scooter.
He went on to say that the system
also doesn’t allow you to book slots
for that day, meaning there have been
many slots that have been wasted,
causing long delays for local residents.
Luigi told Love Andover: “It is an
issue that we should all be feeling
strongly about. I have also had a number
of complaints about the booking
system which leads to less slots being
available than could be the case.”
The campaign is based on three
principles: Equal access for all Hampshire’s
council tax payers, not just car
owners. Tackling the climate emergency
by making recycling and repurposing
easier for everyone. Promoting
active healthy living by encouraging
those who can, to leave their cars at
home and visit the HWRCs on foot
or bike.”
We have contacted Hampshire
County Council for a statement.
By Ella Palmer
LOCAL business and family man
Punit Patel, listened to his customers
to provide a better delivery service
without the additional costs
that some companies charge. With
more and more people in the local
community needing to isolate and
therefore not able to pick up their
regular groceries, Punit recognised
that there was a need to better serve
the community.
Nisa Local on Weyhill Road, has
teamed up with the Snappy Shopper
app to deliver your snacks, drinks and
groceries to your door within 30 to 60
minutes. Punit told Love Andover:
“The app is really good because the
groceries are shop prices so there is
no additional cost which may have
put people off. We also have a deal
on at the moment for new customers
for free delivery.”
With the lockdown this comes as
great news to the community to get
their essentials from their local store,
especially people living alone and
having to isolate. A local resident
shared: “Punit has been a life saver
during this pandemic. During isolation,
I was caught short of items.
Punit and his family have always
been friendly and go out of their way
to source different items when asked.
He is a true community man and has
been vital, and this app just makes it
so much easier to be able to get my
essentials.”
During these times Punit has
adapted his business to best serve
his customer’s and his business. This
service makes it easier for people to
shop locally with Punit and to reduce
footfall into the shop without compromising
his custom and knowing
that you’re keeping everyone safe
by staying home.
To access, you can download the
app or order via the website and use
the code FREEANDOVER on your
first order over £10 before the 13th
March 2021.