Hospitals Board reassures the public over demolition workTwo buildings have been demolished between the hospital and the Botanical Gardens in the build-up to the construction of a new hospital building.However, despite public concern, a Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) spokeswoman said the project will not impact the gardens.“Two houses on land belonging to BHB have been demolished along Point Finger Road and the sites cleared by Paget Health Services, with certain trees and plants identified and taken away to be replanted at a later date,” the spokeswoman said.“Although the properties border the Botanical Gardens, work is confined to BHB-owned land.”As work continues, the old hospital building facing Point Finger Road will also be demolished following decommissioning work. The Continuing Care Unit and Chapel will remain.HRC office reopens today after renovationsThe Human Rights Commission (HRC) will reopen today after a period of renovation.The HRC office is located on the third floor of the Mechanics Building on Church Street.It closed for renovations over the Christmas holidays.A spokesman said: “The HRC takes this opportunity to thank the public for their patience and cooperation during the closure.”Regiment conducting exercises for two weeksAreas of South Shore will be closed for periods during the next two weeks as the Bermuda Regiment carries out firearm training.According to a Regiment spokesman, firearm training will be taking place in the South Shore Park, Warwick area and Morgan’s Point Annex in Southampton as the Regiment’s Annual recruit Camp continues.Between January 21 and January 28, firing exercises will take place in South Shore Park between 7.30am and 6pm.Exercises at Morgan’s Point will take place at various times today, Friday and Saturday, and again on January 28.Red warning flags, boards and sentries will be positioned to protect the public access to the areas during training, but the public is still advised to avoid the areas. Mariners are also being advised that they will not be able to cross the area offshore of the South Shore Park during firing exercises. Boat sentries will be deployed in the area.n For information on safe distances, boaters are asked to contact Harbour Radio at 297-1010.Belco is to hold a public forumBelco is to hold a public forum at Bermuda College next week to discuss its planned redevelopment.The phased changes to the central power plant in Pembroke include the instillation of new generator equipment and the retiring of existing equipment by 2013.A spokeswoman for Belco said: “Over the past three years, Belco has revised the plan, taking into account objections that were raised in 2007, as well as taking into account changing technology, energy efficiency and renewable energy, along with revised projections about Bermuda’s future energy requirements.”Belco has said that it intends to have 20 percent of Bermuda’s electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020.The forum and discussion will take place in the North Hall Lecture Theatre between 6.30pm and 8pm on January 25.Police report 47 road collisions last weekTwo men fled the scene of an accident on North Shore Road after their motorcycle struck an SUV.The vehicles collided at the junction with Band Room Lane, Pembroke at about 8.15pm on Monday. The driver of the SUV was unhurt.Police impounded the abandoned motorcycle, and have appealed for anyone with information to call Pc Rawle Massiah on 295-0011.An accident also took place on North Shore Road earlier that day, at about 10.30am.A 23-year-old Devonshire woman escaped injury when her car hit a wall near the junction with Vaucrossons Crescent in Pembroke.A total of 47 collisions on the Island’s roads were reported for the week of January 10 to 17 24 resulted in injuries.Eight vehicles were reported stolen, with one later recovered. All were either auxiliary cycles or motorcycles.One person was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.