writes Jonathan Coles. Motorists have been sent into a spin by the technology quirk - which has cost the local £70,000 to fix. Somerset County Council has spent the sum ironing out the problem , which experts say wouldn t have been considered when the grid was built. It is thought that the modern car sensors confuse the grid, on Hill Road in Minehead with an obstruction. This is because it is cut into the steep hill at a reasonably level angle, causing a steep change in gradient. The brakes are then automatically activated on newer vehicles which become confused - sending some drivers careering off the road.
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image copyrightSomerset County Council
image captionThe council said there had been a number of incidents of cars leaving the road at the cattle grid near Minehead
Cars have come off the road trying to cross a cattle grid after sensors mistook it for a wall and slammed on the brakes.
Somerset County Council said the grid had been causing a very real danger to road users on Hill Road in Minehead.
The grid, which was cut into the steep hill, appeared to be an obstruction to modern car sensors which automatically applied the brakes.
The county council has spent £70,000 ironing out the problem .
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Government funding of $11.6m was awarded to the Timaru District Council s Theatre Royal upgrade and Heritage precinct project. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, was in Timaru to confirm the Government support for the $23m project which ‘met the criteria of the Government’s ‘shovel-ready’ programme, in that it was ready to proceed and would create jobs. ‘‘The design and construction of the theatre upgrade and new (museum) facility is estimated to directly employ 155-210 people.’’ A planned $7.5m redevelopment of Alpine Energy Stadium received the biggest handout from the Timaru District Council’s stimulus fund. The Fraser Park Community Trust, which runs the facility, received $900,000 of the $1.85m available as the council culled 20 funding applications back to 10 successful projects.
A St John spokesperson said it did not respond. Alpine Energy chief executive Andrew Tombs said a roadside pole was struck causing damage to an overhead low voltage service main. A team of contractors had attended, he said.
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Contractors work to restore power to Bridge Rd in Washdyke at one of two incidents dealt with in South Canterbury on Monday morning. Meanwhile, power was cut to the Washdyke Fire Station on Bridge Rd early Monday morning after a fuse protection device just outside the station failed at 7am. A Fenz spokesman said the station was powered by a generator during the power cut.
“Damage to an underground cable was found to be the cause,” Tombs said. “The outage only affected the high school, and we were quickly able to restore power to the site by rerouting the power. We are currently [as of Monday] making repairs to the damaged cable.” The concert, which had raised about $900 for the Salvation Army’s food bank, featured singing talent from South Cantabrians of all ages, highland dancing, and a brass band. George said the school’s 400-seat auditorium was packed with carolers while others, including rest home residents and people from Australia, caught the concert online.