Devon News

Devon rail link ‘could give £1bn economic boost’ if restored

Devon rail link ‘could give £1bn economic boost’ if restored

The possible reintroduction of a train service between between Barnstaple and Bideford could generate up to £1bn for the local economy, according to a rail group.The Northern Devon Rail Development Partnership is looking at extending the current Tarka line between Exeter and Barnstaple back into Bideford, with a half-hourly service and other improvements to produce the economic benefits by 2040.Roger Blake, of Railfuture, which leads the partnership, said any plans would first "look at restoring the original route…

Continue ReadingDevon rail link ‘could give £1bn economic boost’ if restored

Nancy Astor statue in Plymouth removed to fix wobble

A statue of the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons has been temporarily moved for repairs.Plymouth City Council said the bronze figure of Nancy Astor was taken away on Monday from its position on the Hoe for up to 12 weeks while "essential maintenance work" was completed.The authority said a wobble had developed due to the statue's position on the seafront and exposure to the elements.Astor became the first woman to sit…

Continue ReadingNancy Astor statue in Plymouth removed to fix wobble

Concerns over 2,700-acre ‘mega-solar’ scheme in Devon

Concerns over 2,700-acre ‘mega-solar’ scheme in Devon

Kirk EnglandSouth West environment and tourism correspondentBBCStephen and Sharon Boulton, who live close to the proposed solar farm, say other options should be explored first"It's going to be huge, absolutely vast," says Stephen Boulton of the solar farm that could be built on fields near his home in rural Devon."Moving here was my retirement dream, to be able to look out over a view like this," added Mr Boulton, who is now spearheading the campaign against what could…

Continue ReadingConcerns over 2,700-acre ‘mega-solar’ scheme in Devon

Two houses in Plymouth evacuated after high readings of fuel

Two homes were evacuated after higher than expected fuel readings were taken on a street in Plymouth, with the alarm being initially raised by an occupant.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the Dayton Close in Crownhill at about 13:25 BST on Tuesday after the occupant called them to report the smell of fuel.A spokesperson for the service said at about 20:30 crews and South West Water (SWW) remained at the scene as…

Continue ReadingTwo houses in Plymouth evacuated after high readings of fuel

Exeter City: Grecians appoint Richard Pym as new chairman

Exeter City: Grecians appoint Richard Pym as new chairman

Exeter City have appointed Richard Pym as their new chairman.He takes over from interim club board chair Clive Harrison, who has been in the role since June when Nick Hawker stepped down.Pym previously served as chair of Exeter City Supporters' Trust - which owns the club - from June 2020 to December 2021.Harrison will remain at the League One club in the role of general manager until the end of the 2025-26 season, assisting the board.Another change at…

Continue ReadingExeter City: Grecians appoint Richard Pym as new chairman

High Court clears Reform councillors of election overspending

Two Reform councillors and their election agent have had their names cleared by a High Court judge after being reported for overspending on election expenses by a colleague.Exeter councillors Neil Stevens, his brother Tony Stevens and their agent Rob Sheridan brought a civil case to the High Court in an attempt to protect their reputations as they face a police investigation.Justice Martin Spencer said any mistakes made by Neil Stevens and Rob Sheridan had been in good faith…

Continue ReadingHigh Court clears Reform councillors of election overspending

Appeal after glass smashed in woman’s face at Devon pub

An investigation has been launched after a woman had a glass smashed in her face during an altercation at a pub in Devon, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were appealing for witnesses after a fight broke out at the York Inn on Imperial Road, Exmouth, in the early hours of 12 October. The woman suffered cuts to the face and nose which required seven stitches, police added."During the altercation, a woman had a glass smashed…

Continue ReadingAppeal after glass smashed in woman’s face at Devon pub

Plymouth Argyle name Mike Stowell as goalkeeper coach

Plymouth Argyle name Mike Stowell as goalkeeper coach

Plymouth Argyle have added Mike Stowell to Tom Cleverley's coaching staff.The former Leicester City caretaker manager has joined the Pilgrims as goalkeeper coach.Stowell, 60, coached the Foxes' goalkeepers during their historic Premier League title-winning campaign in 2015-16 under Claudio Ranieri. He also spent time at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel and was most recently with Bristol City Women.Plymouth are 18th in League One with 13 points from their opening 11 games."Mike impressed us all greatly with his knowledge…

Continue ReadingPlymouth Argyle name Mike Stowell as goalkeeper coach

‘Eyesore’ Torquay hotel closed for three months by police

‘Eyesore’ Torquay hotel closed for three months by police

A seaside hotel which had become an "anti-social behaviour magnet" has been closed for three months.Devon and Cornwall Police said a partial closure order for the Sherwood Hotel in Belgrave Road, Torquay, had been granted by Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Thursday.The order - the first to be used on a hotel in the region - meant only authorised people such as the landlord, utility companies and the emergency services could enter the property.Police said officers had received several…

Continue Reading‘Eyesore’ Torquay hotel closed for three months by police

Devon and Cornwall Police digital device investigations rise

Devon and Cornwall Police digital device investigations rise

More than 3,000 digital devices containing the equivalent of two million movies' worth of data were investigated by a police force last year.Devon and Cornwall Police's specialist Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) said the devices had more than two petabytes - 2,000 terabytes - of data involved in offences which included drugs, child abuse, murder and terrorism.The force said the number of mobile phones investigated had risen by 200% over the past two years and the volume of data…

Continue ReadingDevon and Cornwall Police digital device investigations rise

Warning over dumped batteries after Devon bin lorry fire

Warning over dumped batteries after Devon bin lorry fire

Devon and Somerset Fire ServiceSeveral firefighting crews were called out to the incident in AxminsterResidents are being reminded to dispose of lithium-ion batteries properly after a blaze in a bin lorry.Devon and Somerset Fire Service crews were called to Millwey Rise Industrial Estate in Axminster at about 07:40 BST after reports of a "small waste fire" from the vehicle's driver.Firefighters from Chard, along with crews from Charmouth and Bridport in Dorset, extinguished a blaze after the contents of…

Continue ReadingWarning over dumped batteries after Devon bin lorry fire