Author: Archie Farmer

This author has written 34 articles

Essential access works at shopping Torquay centre begin

  • Post category:Devon News

Essential repair works to lifts and escalators at a shopping centre have started.Torbay Council said the work at Fleet Walk shopping centre in Torquay was hoped to improve access for visitors by connecting all levels of the car park with the shops and Fleet Street.Work on the escalator that serves a Sports Direct store and the gallery started on Monday and was expected to be complete by 21 February, said the local authority.The next phase of the works…

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Quad bike rider in 70s seriously injured in crash

  • Post category:Devon News
Quad bike rider in 70s seriously injured in crash

A quad bike rider has been seriously injured in a crash near Bovey Tracey, Devon.Police were called at about 11:50 GMT on Tuesday to a road in the Ilsington area.Officers said the quad bike rider, a man in his 70s, sustained serious injuries. The road was closed while an investigation was carried out and it reopened at about 15:35.Roads Policing Team officers have thanked the public for their patience whilst the road was closed.They urged anyone who witnessed…

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Engineers rush to fix gas outage for 4,600 south Devon properties

Engineers rush to fix gas outage for 4,600 south Devon properties

BBCThe outage affects homes in areas of south Devon including KingsbridgeEngineers have been working overnight to repair damage to a mains pipe that has left thousands of homes and other buildings without gas.The outage, which affects about 4,600 properties in the Kingsbridge, Malborough and Salcombe areas of south Devon, started on Saturday amid freezing temperatures.Wales & West Utilities said on Sunday that the mains pipe had now been fixed but that, as part of the ongoing repairs, engineers…

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Search for two men missing after Christmas Day swim called off

Search for two men missing after Christmas Day swim called off

BBCTwo men remain missing after a Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, DevonA coastguard search operation for two men who went missing in the sea during a Christmas Day swim has been called off.Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton, in Devon, shortly after 10:25 GMT on Thursday.While some people were brought back to shore, two men in their 40s and 60s could not be located. The coastguard stopped searching the water at 17:00, but police said on-shore…

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Two men still missing after Budleigh Salterton Christmas swim

Two men still missing after Budleigh Salterton Christmas swim

Archie Farmer,DevonandJanine Jansen,Budleigh SaltertonVideo shows sea conditions on Devon coastTwo men are believed to be missing off the Devon coast after reports of swimmers in difficulty, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police were called at 10:25 GMT to the beach at Budleigh Salterton after concern was raised for people in the water, prompting a significant emergency response which was called off at 17:00.A number of people were safely brought back to shore and were checked either by paramedics…

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Two men believed missing after Budleigh Salterton swimmers search

Two men are believed to be missing off the Devon coast after reports of swimmers in difficulty, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police were called at 10:25 GMT to the beach at Budleigh Salterton after concern was raised for people in the water, prompting a significant emergency response.A number of people were safely brought back to shore and were checked either by paramedics at the scene or taken to hospital as a precaution, the force confirmed.It said the…

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Trago announces job cuts and restaurant closures

Trago announces job cuts and restaurant closures

BBCThe board of Trago has confirmed job losses at the Falmouth storeA chain of stores in Devon and Cornwall has announced a total of 24 jobs will be cut and its restaurants at Newton Abbot and Liskeard will close.The board of Trago said jobs would go at its Falmouth, Liskeard and Newton Abbot stores, but its Falmouth store would stay open despite the closure of two departments deemed no longer commercially viable. In September, Trago Mills chairman Bruce…

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Rare Amur leopard cub born at Dartmoor Zoo is named

Rare Amur leopard cub born at Dartmoor Zoo is named

A zoo has revealed the name and sex of a rare leopard cub born in captivity.Dartmoor Zoo said Zeya was born at the Devon park in September.Staff said the cub was named after the River Zeya, a major tributary of the Amur River, within the animal's native range.CEO David Gibson said there were fewer than 200 Amur leopards in captivity globally.Mr Gibson said: "Now that we know for definite that the cub is healthy and thriving, we can…

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‘Extreme worry’ over cuts to Devon homelessness funding

‘Extreme worry’ over cuts to Devon homelessness funding

PA MediaDevon County Council will halve its contribution to a homelessness prevention fundA charity is warning homelessness and rough sleeping is likely to reach the highest levels this winter.St Petrock's blamed two main factors - a decision by Devon County Council to "end its support for homeless prevention and support services" and "excessive delays" in the release of the government's strategy for tackling the issue.Peter Stephenson, chief executive of St Petrock's, said of the county council's decision: "We…

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Forecasters warn of disruption amid weather warnings

Forecasters warn of disruption amid weather warnings

Forecasters have warned of possible disruption with more weather warnings issued for heavy rain and wind in the South and South West of England.The Met Office has put out a yellow warning for high winds extending from Hampshire to Devon and Cornwall and up to Somerset from 22:00 GMT on Monday until 16:00 on Tuesday.A separate yellow weather warning was also issued for rain which will be in place from 18:00 GMT on Monday to 18:00 on Tuesday.The…

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Oldest search and rescue Land Rover on final tour

Oldest search and rescue Land Rover on final tour

​The oldest Land Rover used by any search and rescue service in England is going on a final tour before being replaced.Ada, as she is known by the volunteers, has been in service on Dartmoor for 32 years.The vehicle has been deployed to more than 400 call outs and been used during the Ten Tors challenge events since 2008.Matt Holland, from North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, said the best word to describe the Land Rover was a…

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Disruption as rain hits the South West coast

Disruption as rain hits the South West coast

Strong winds and heavy rain has hit south-west England with disruption across Devon and Cornwall.A number of trees have fallen down in Devon, with drivers urged to seek alternative routes.According to Highways, there is a fallen tree on Bodmin Street near Holsworthy, one partially blocking the B3165 and reports of a tree partially overhanging the road joining the A383 near Bickington.The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain for Devon and Cornwall from 00:01 GMT on…

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