Add Listing

After the Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning across the UK this week, it is important for everyone to stay alert and safe on the roads.

It was recorded that there was nearly a 20% rise in accidents on slippery roads in 2023, and with heavy rainfall forecasted over the next few days, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have released a warning about the dangers that drivers may face – and solutions for their safety.

Aquaplaning, also known as hydroplaning, describes the phenomenon where a layer of water builds up between a vehicle’s tyres and the road surface. This causes a strong loss of traction for drivers – where they are at dangers of losing steering control, braking ability and the acceleration effectiveness. All of these possibilities, highly increase the risk of collisions.

Because of this it is important for all drivers to be equipped with the knowledge they need to stay safe. RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager, Caitlin Taylor, has said: “Driving in wet weather can be challenging and hazardous, especially when aquaplaning occurs. Our essential tips help drivers understand the risks and take the necessary steps to prevent aquaplaning, ensuring safer journeys for everyone.”

Key areas of knowledge which can keep drivers safe include:

1. How Aquaplaning Happens: Driving too fast through standing water can overwhelm the tyres’ ability to channel water away, leading to a loss of grip.
2. What to Do If You Aquaplane: Drivers should remain calm, ease off the accelerator, and avoid sudden braking or sharp steering to regain control. Prevention Tips:

Some good tips to prevent aquaplaning from RoSPA include:

• Reduce speed in wet conditions.
• Ensure tyres have adequate tread depth (at least 3mm is recommended for optimal performance).
• Maintain correct tyre pressure.
• Avoid driving through large puddles or flooded areas.

The RoSPA has brought special attention to the importance of regular tyre maintenance. If your tyres are worn or underinflated, this can significantly increase the risk of aquaplaning, which is why it is strongly encouraged for drivers to check their tread depth regularly and replace tyres when necessary to maintain optimal performance in wet conditions.

RoSPA have released more information on their website regarding road safety, which can be found here.

After news that the annual ‘Older Person’s Olympics’ is taking place soon, Team Lewisham are looking for participants to help them take the podium and win gold.

Known as the underdog team – jumping an astonishing fourteen places from the previous year to finish fourth in 2024 – they are now hoping to go even further this year.

The Better Club Games (or commonly known as ‘Older Person’s Olympics) is an annual event where teams of older people from London, the Midlands, and the south-east come together at Copper Box Arena in London to compete in a variety of indoor sports.

And now is the perfect time to prepare yourself to join the ‘underdogs’ – Team Lewisham.

Clare Pitter, from Catford, is competing in the dominoes event this year and feels confident that Lewisham will put up a good fight, saying: “Dominoes is a very competitive sport and there’s a lot more to it than you might think,” she comments. “It all depends who you’re playing with and you have to read your partner’s hand. We’ve got a lot of really good players so I think we’re going to have to have some sort of internal competition to select who’ll be going to the Club Games.

“Last year, was our first time and we did pretty well – we came second in our event. Now we know how it works, we’re going in fighting for our borough! But it’s also a fun occasion. The camaraderie is good and you get to meet people from other areas.”

Trevor Pybus, is a 67-year-old community link worker from Downham who is also hopeful that the team will triumph this year, after having taking part previously. He promises, however, that no matter the outcome, this will be a great experience.

“It’s an excellent competition and I’ve always got hopes that we’ll do well but it’s more about participation,” he explains. “It’s great to be part of a group. Matthew Houghton (Community Sport Manager in Lewisham) plays a crucial role in encouraging team spirit.”

Matthew adds, “Last year was such a success and it was due to the hard work and excellent performances of those who took part. Jumping from 18^th to 4^th place is a real testament to those who got involved. We would love to go one better this year, but need more people to come forward and represent Team Lewisham. If you’re 60 years or older and would like to represent the borough and help us reach the top three, then sign up today!”

To learn more about the event, read here.

The cost of the Mounjaro weight loss drug is set to rise sharply in the UK from 1 September, although a discount scheme agreed with suppliers will limit the increase for patients.

Manufacturer Eli Lilly had announced earlier this month that the list price of Mounjaro would go up by as much as 170%. That would have taken the cost of the highest 15mg dose from £122 to £330 per month. A new arrangement now means the top dose will be sold to suppliers for £247.50, softening the rise but still leaving patients paying significantly more than before.

Private providers such as high street pharmacies and online clinics will set their own mark-ups, so the final cost to patients will vary. The BBC has reported that some services expect the rise for higher doses to be kept under 50%, while increases for lower doses may be smaller still.

Eli Lilly confirmed the rebate scheme in a statement, saying: “We are working with private providers on commercial arrangements to maintain affordability and expect these to be passed onto patients when the change is effective on 1 September.” The company added that different providers are already responding with a variety of pricing options.

The deal does not affect NHS patients, as the health service has negotiated its own separate, heavily discounted rates. Mounjaro has been available through specialist NHS weight-loss clinics in England and Wales since March 2025, and since June some GPs in England have been able to prescribe it to eligible patients. To qualify, people must meet strict criteria including a BMI of 40 or more (37.5 for some minority ethnic groups) and at least four serious health conditions linked to obesity.

There are thought to be around 1.5 million people on weight loss drugs in the UK, with more than half using Mounjaro. Estimates suggest that nine in 10 buy privately rather than through the NHS, often through online providers. For them, the coming rise in the Mounjaro weight loss drug price will be felt most keenly.

The popularity of the drug stems from its effectiveness. Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, which works by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism. Weekly injections help users feel full, reduce food cravings and can lead to a 20% reduction in body weight over a 72-week treatment period. Clinical trials show it is more effective than rival drug Wegovy, which generally leads to around 14% weight loss in the same timeframe.

However, doctors caution that the benefits only last as long as the medication is taken. Research shows that many people put weight back on within a year of stopping treatment, as their appetite and eating habits return. Experts have therefore urged the NHS to ensure patients are given regular check-ups, exercise support and healthy eating plans alongside prescriptions.

Thames Gazette spoke to one GP who said “When you are purchasing and using a drug like this, make sure you are following things up with proper monitoring… make sure you aren’t getting any bad reactions or anything of that sort. Contact your prescriber if you are having any concerns.”

For those paying privately, affordability is becoming a serious concern. One patient told Sky News that he stockpiled two months’ worth of doses before the price rise, but feared he would not be able to continue long term. He said missing even a single week left him worried he would regain the weight he had lost.

Some pharmacies are now advising patients not to cut corners as costs rise. James Hunt, director of the online pharmacy CheqUp, warned that people should not skip doses, microdose, or turn to unregulated sources: “Absolutely do not do that,” he said. “If you’re taking a medication you need to use that medication as it’s been instructed and designed to be used clinically.”

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Pharmacies will do all they can to support patients when prices change. This rebate will mitigate some of the impact of the increase, but patients should still anticipate seeing a rise in prices from 1 September.”

Eli Lilly said the increase reflects a move to bring UK prices more in line with those in Europe and the US. Former US President Donald Trump had previously criticised the pharmaceutical industry for charging Americans more than other countries, pressuring companies to raise international prices to help offset domestic reductions.

While the discount will ease the blow, many patients relying on the Mounjaro weight loss drug will still face higher bills from next month.

Pharmacies and clinics are preparing for demand to shift, with some suggesting that patients may consider switching to Wegovy, which is likely to remain cheaper.

For now, millions in the UK who depend on these medications to manage their weight and health will be watching closely as the new pricing takes effect.

A 77-year-old man has tragically died in hospital after being hit by a car on East India Dock Road in East London earlier this week. The incident occurred just before 1.45pm on August 20, in front of patrolling Metropolitan Police officers near the Canning Town Flyover.

Emergency services attended the scene immediately. The London Ambulance Service confirmed the pensioner suffered “major trauma” and was taken to hospital. Despite the efforts of paramedics and hospital staff, he was later pronounced dead, according to an update from the Metropolitan Police.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “While on patrol, Met officers witnessed a road traffic collision involving a car and a pedestrian in East India Dock Road at 13:42hrs on Wednesday, 20 August. The pedestrian, a 77-year-old man, was treated at the scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and was later taken to hospital. Sadly, despite their best efforts, he later died at hospital. The driver of the car involved in the collision stopped at the scene. No arrests have been made. Officers are interested in hearing from those with information – particularly anyone with dashcam footage from the scene at the time of the incident. Enquiries continue.”

Photos from the scene show a black car surrounded by an emergency cordon, with medical equipment scattered across the road, which forms part of the A13.

This tragic death follows a similar fatal collision on East India Dock Road last month. A man in his 40s was struck by a car near the junction with West India Dock Road just after 11pm on July 22.

The Metropolitan Police are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have dashcam footage of the collision. No arrests have been made in connection with this incident, but enquiries remain ongoing.

The East India Dock Road has now been the site of two recent pedestrian fatalities, raising concerns about road safety in the area. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the latest collision to establish what happened and to prevent further tragedies.

Members of the public who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant dashcam footage are urged to contact the Metropolitan Police to assist with the ongoing investigation.

The collision serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on busy roads, especially on stretches like the A13, where traffic volumes are high. Authorities continue to emphasise the importance of vigilance, both for drivers and pedestrians, to help reduce the risk of future accidents.

This tragic event highlights the ongoing safety challenges on East India Dock Road and underscores the need for drivers to exercise caution in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Police continue their investigation into the circumstances of the collision and are calling on anyone with information to come forward to assist with their enquiries.