October 1998 eds Student w.leedsdotstudent.coark ww Volume 29: Issue No.6 I J I ASH & THE YOUNG OFFENDERS Tuck in and put Leeds' oth interviewed finest bakeries to the test in JUICE Customers complain after series of blunders PHONE F RM UNDER F IRE 8y MICHELLE CHAPPELL & REBECCA SMITH IRATE customers have blasted phone giants Cable and Viimie ,a after a series of delays and tedmical ern ws. A number of student clients in the Hyde Park and Headingley areas have had to wait weeks for phone lines to he installed - in some cases only to be given numbers of other properties. And in one incident Le-eds University student Scott McCarthy was given the same number as a local doctors practice. -Whenever the phone rung, whoever picked it up first got the call,- he moaned. In a Se'fume case one Headingley house shared a number v,ith the local branch of the NSPCC. 1 FULL INVESTIGATION - PAGES 4 & 5 Ili Another student described the customer service as "a - shambles- after she was put on hold for three hours while attempting to complain to the company. Cable and Wireless has recently merged with three large 1r mit 18 telecommunication firms and is also in the process of 1 I closing its call centre in Leeds. A spokesperson said: With a merger of this scale there is likely to be some element of disruption." The Cable anti Wirelese Customer Sorvice centre at Ssacroft which is scheduled to close Pk: Othy Fos 1111.1Y STUDENT MISTAKES ROBBER FOR HOUSEMATE - STORY ON Mafia oN1--..E7ISITY OF LEEDS LI _ 2 NEWS Leeds Student, Friday October 30 1998 Boffins' new speed device has no limits BREAKING the speed limit By AMR. IA_P00 _1 may become a thing of the past thanks to Leeds tosser speed limas can help keep University boffins. traffic moving. This system will The development of an he able to pick up on these areas Intelligent speed control' alters and alter the car's speed. your speed automatically Currently many people ignore PORTLAND WAY: New traffic measures are leaving late according to the limit you arc these limits, reducing the benefit nighters confused Plc: Dan Thubron travelling in. of lower speeds. The car's built-in computer Motoring organisations have contains a emnplete road map. welcomed the idea, though they including the points where speed teel that any device would have limos change. to allow drivers to react to Caution: Two It incorporates similar emergency situations. technology as computers that A spokesperson for the RAC' warn drivers of traffic problems, commented: "Any system to using satellite messages to relate reduce traffic and accidents the important information to would certainly be worth way traffic drivers. investigating. Dr Oliver Carsten of the "Yet it must allow drivers Institute for Transport Studies. control ensuring drivers can NEW traffic ties elopments By ANGUS MONTGOMERY who is the leader of the project. speed when needed, such as to iniedde Leeds Nietropi claims the invention will have avoid an accident." explained: 'This will he the University have prompted many benefits and could reduce This latest venture is being main traffic route between fears for the safety of accident rates by as much as 35 seen by some as a way to tackle Woodhouse Lane and the students leaving the Union per cent. the ever increasing numbers commercial and civic area of "The predicted reduction in of road accidents on Britain's late at night. the city. As with any minor The redevelopment of accidents is far greater than that streets. pmject like this them is inevitably Portland Way has caused chaos achieved by the compulsory But some students feel that going it be some disruption. wearing of seatbelts for drivers after the mad was made two- although we are doing our best it may be one step too far in the way last month. Specific and passengers." he said, battle to keep the streets free of to minimise this." problems that have been The project has won the But LMUSU are still car accidents. highlightolan: leo* not looking hacking of a f l 3,000 government concerned about the chaos that James Sinclair. Chemistry both ways and taxis making t7- grant which is being put aside might he caused .by the new fresher at Leeds University, said: turns atter events at to help with other aspects of the LM ;SU. system in the future_ Rob "It's all very well saying trying The research building work is purl Southwikal, Vice President of to keep a lid on speed limits, but of tie Leeds Millennium Square Reactions of drivers using Student Development said: -If al the end of the day if people plan which has bt..Tri supponed the system are being tested as necessary we w ill request a wail' to speed that's exactly what by a 1:5,4 million granalrom well as w!Wrihcr their awareness harrier to be hurh outside the they're going to do." the Government's Millennium depreciates at all. Other benefits exit of the Union." How ever. LMU Social Coitimivatin- include reducing traffic in Safely measures that ,err Sciences second year Jo Burton lit response to the tin Ask: n coniteqed areas. place to draw attention to the added: "Car safety should be a cruised by the 'redevelopment, Currently a number ol roads, area include 'look both ways' priority for all manufacturers I xrtis City Council Pave imaged such as the M25. Mum innate signs on all traffic lights and now. and anything that might that they are inking measures variable speed limits. In mitre pedestrians beware' signs on help has to he a good thing. to counteract any difficulties areas the limit is down to 511 . lamp-post' "it's also good to sec that A spokesperson fir the Ci limo I mph. 56=0 SIS here ate at the forefront Research has shown that of such innovative work," CAR BUNIEY: New device can limit ear weeds Leeds University Union, PO Box 157, LEEDS LS1 JUN Editorial: Tel: (0113) 243 4727 Fax: (0113) 246 7953 Leeds Student Email: editor leedsdotstudentoluk www.leedimkItstudeni.co.uk Advertising: Tel: (0113) 231 4293 Fax: (0113) 244 8786 Leeds Student is an independent newspaper serving students at Leeds University, Leeds Metropolitan University and other colleges in and around Leeds. All our journalists abide by a code of conduct but please contact the editor if you have any problems. Comments and contributions are always welcome. EDITOR Alex Cubbay DEPUTY EDITOR loe Feller ADVERTISING MANAGER Catherine Barton ARTS Victoria Cohen Eleanor Mawrey Lauren Pushkin Sally Voting BOOKS Phil Hanlon Helen Morrissey CARTOONIST Murray Wallace CLUBS Phil Lindfield Nick Weight COLUMNIST Ross Horsley COMMENT Lola Almudevar Adam Menton' FASHION Clare Brayford FEATURES Clare Rudebeck lemima Sissons FOOD AND DRINK Kate Sleigh Joanne Roll INVESTIGATIONS Michelle Chappell Rebecca SRO JUICE GUIDE Andy Kelk JUICE LOWDOWN Louise Sherwood MUSIC Oliver Craner lames McCarthy Fiona Smalley Sonja Todd NEWS Catherine Burt Matt Genever Kevin Pettman Ralph Savage PICTURES Ciily Fax Dan Auburn POLITICS Nick Creenhalgh PROOF READERS Chinny Li Jennifer Smookler SPORT timed Rai& Jenny Thompson Seb Vance TRAVEL Marc Silver WEBMASTERS Ben Lamh Matt Fletcher Ed Baldrey 4Zr GOT A GOOD STORY? RING OUR 24HOUR NEWSDESK ON (0113) 243 4727 .411 t) Leeds Student, Friday October 30 1998 NEWS 3 LUCKLESS TENANT CONFUSES ROBBER FOR HOUSEMATE Thief profits from mistaken identity A STARTLED tenant was By TOBY CHASSEAUO Incident in Welton place in the satric shocked this week after %Liking week. "Both cases in ink ed thieves up to rind a robber in his house borrow ed It but then I realised the gaining access to student houses - only to think he was a house adaptor is as still Iltete. with separate rooms. 1,+00:t1.0'01111(1 and saw that mute and going hack to sleep. "The problem was not that locks our s idea and the telephone were 2 I -year old Ryan Parry, third were inadequate bin that they weren't also missing along with Sam's hike." year Media Sociology student at used The thieves have too Both Ryan and his girlfnerul. Trinity and All Saint.. College. was break in Lit all. It is essential iliac Nicki Tacon, were shaken by the the luckless lad who couldn't tell lucks and any other security des idea of being burgled whilst they its burglars from his buddies. are used," he said slept. Nickt. 22, said. "When we He explained: 11 was 5itt1 and AndPC Burke added that student, realised what had happened I was I was in bed with my girlfriend when arc lazy when it came to home terrified." I heard a hang by my front door. security and often don't make sure And after (hear brush with the. I opened my eyes and saw the that the house is locked when t he bloke with a rucksack criminal underworld. the couple silhouette id a leave it. arc hoping that the blanket press on his back. "Another pod-item with student "He looked just like my house- CON eragv that they have received houses is that people don•i iako: will deter the robbers trout striking mate, Sam, He said 'Vol' and I responsibility im- security. The returned the gesture before going again. always assume that someone els, Now pollee are cis tnping down hack to sleep. will lock up after them" And it was not until Ryan arrived tin this and other burglaries where But this warning comes as ni' criminals hate 10 1'1011 at his Welton Place house from comfmt to Ryan who is still kick ink lhelt1NVIVO, lit houses with the college the following evening Mai himself after his chance meeting minimum 01 bother.