Your chance to win an MOT
This week you have another chance to win an MOT courtesy of The Garage Whitburn.
Each week the mechanics have also been revealing how to keep your car in great condition now the chance to get out and about has finally come!
And on this week’s agenda is caring for your brakes.
The Garage owner, Ian Robertson, said:“Brake parts have a life span and they do need to be regularly serviced and sometimes replaced to work properly.
“Driving your car every day you may not notice the wear, you adjust to the changes.
Etries must be received by Monday at noon. Email debbie.hall@reachplc. com.
One winner will be randomly selected from all entrants. Prize is for an MOT only, not the cost of any work and should be claimed within six month’s notification. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash or credit. Editor’s decision is final.
Your details will not be used for marketing purposes and will be deleted within 90 days of competition closure.
Entrants must be within the UK in order to receive prize.
People who live near a park used as a drinking den by teenagers have been assured the problem will be dealt with.
Residents around Howden Park in Livingston have won assurances that police and emergency services will work with them, and West Lothian Council to put an end to months of disruption from drunken teens and young adults during lockdown.
Local resident Mandy Guthrie spoke to the Livingston South Local area committee pleading for something to be done in the wake of weekend scenes of mass crowds gathering in Howden Park.
Locals say the park has become a no-go area during lockdown as teens gather for outdoor drinking sessions.
Youngsters from across the county have been travelling to the park.
Mrs Guthrie said: “For months now there has been an unacceptable level of anti-social behaviour in the park starting on a Friday afternoon and sometimes going on through the weekend.”
She said people were scared to go to the park because of the intimidating atmosphere, the drunkenness, drug use and bad language.
She added those who challenge the gangs were threatened and faced verbal abuse.
Householders had witessed a couple engaged in a sex act.
Recently, two teenagers were hospitalised after being found heavily intoxicated.
Police have adopted a high-profile patrol of the park and behind the scenes have been working with fellow officers in Scottish Fire and Rescue and council staff on agencies such as the Youth Action Project.
Key to their multi-partnership approach has been the work done through social media encouraging parents to be more proactive with their children’s whereabouts.
Community police sergeant Iain Wells said officers were working to provide a sustainable solution to the problems.
He said these had partly been exaggerated by the lockdown and closure of venues where teens and more likely young adults would have otherwise gathered.
Alongside an active campaign on social media police have also been visiting off licences to remind shopkeepers about the strict regulations around selling alcohol to minors.
Mrs Guthrie asked for public benches to be moved better lighting and better bins in the park to control litter
Local litter pickers have filed hundreds of bags with the detritus of the weekend gatherings including broken bottles,takeaway food wrappers and condoms.
David Cullen, for the council’s NETs teams said it was relatively easy to move benches, but lighting installation could be costly.
Sgt Wells advised against installing lighting around benches as this would have the opposite effect and act as a magnet for gathering especially on dark nights.
He did agree with lighting for the car park which has become the focus for night time activity.
Councillors Moira Shemilt and Maria MacAulay asked Mrs Guthrie what she would like to see done as priority.
Mrs Guthrie said it would be the moving of the benches to a new site.
Chairing the meeting Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick suggested setting up a working group and including a visit to the park with police council teams and the residents as well as members to discuss long term solutions.
He praised the “tremendous efforts” by Sgt Wells and officers.
We reported last week how police were targeting Howden Park due to teens gathering there.
Officers say that in recent weeks there have been various incidents at Howden Park in Livingston with young people becoming heavily intoxicated.
A spokesperson for the Livingston Community Team said online that adults need to be aware of their responsibilities and urged them not to buy youngsters alcohol. He said: “Remember, buying alcohol and providing to young people is an offence.
“More importantly, providing alcohol to young people poses a significant risk to that young person’s safety, as illustrated last weekend, as well as having a significant impact on the local community.
“Please stay safe, remember your responsibilities, and enjoy your weekend.”