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Rail strikes suspended as fresh talks begin

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Southampton commuters can breathe a sigh of relief after it was announced that next week’s strikes on Southern rail have been suspended.

A three-day strike beginning on Tuesday 24th January has been stopped by Aslef- the union representing the train drivers – in order to begin talks with Southern rail.

General Secretary of Aslef Mick Whelan said: “The best way to resolve the dispute at Southern is for all parties to engage in meaningful talks.”

The Trades Union Congress have confirmed “intensive talks” for next Wednesday.

In a separate row over the role of conductors, the RMT union still plans to strike on Monday.

In a press release RMT expressed its hope to have similar talks with the company:

“RMT has today written to the TUC requesting that this union be involved in the same process over the current Southern guards dispute that has been agreed with our sister union ASLEF over the drivers dispute.

“In the meantime, the scheduled action in the Southern guards dispute remains on.”

The train strikes started as Southern rail wants to implement Driver-Only-Operated (DOO) trains.

Unions say that this creates safety concerns as train guards can stop people being hurt or trapped in the doors, and aid drivers if they are injured in a crash.

Southern rail apologises for every interruption to passengers travels and in a previous statement said: “Our door remains open for meaningful talks.”

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Winchester News Online

Park and ride charges to increase 22%

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Picture taken by Phoebe Costello

Park and ride users in Winchester will pay an extra pound per day from next month. 

Winchester City Council posted “notices of variation for charges” across park & ride car parks.  

It said that the price for all-day parking will increase from £3.50 to £4.50 and seasonal tickets will rise by 28%. 

Some park and ride users were critical of the increase.

One woman, who uses the service regularly, said: “I’m surprised. I haven’t read anything about that at all.

“It does seem quite a steep rise.”

A tourist visiting from Canada said: “I think the service will remain high class, but it may be a hardship for some people who may find it less affordable.”

But another man, who lives in Winchester, said: “It’s so easy, it’s worth paying. I mean, where else would we park in Winchester?”

The Winchester Green Party said any increase in charges needs to be considered carefully to ensure that users are not put off using the service.

“Park and ride plays an important role in Winchester’s transport network. 

“It helps reduce congestion in the city centre, supports air quality objectives and provides an alternative to driving into some of Winchester’s busiest streets.

“From a climate perspective, the long-term objective should be to make sustainable travel options attractive, convenient and accessible.  

“For many residents and visitors, park and ride remains an important part of that mix, particularly for journeys where walking, cycling or conventional public transport are not practical.”

The council said it will still be free to park on Sundays but there are no buses.

Drivers can also park for free after 4pm as long as they get a ticket.

Winchester City Council was contacted for a response.

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Winchester News Online

Police hunt man who threw chair and threatened shoppers

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A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.

Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.

It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street. 

Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie. 

Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.

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Winchester News Online

Police officers injured during anti-migration rally

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Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”

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