Devon News

Sir David Attenborough ship visits Plymouth to restock

Sir David Attenborough ship visits Plymouth to restock

Scott Bingham andZhara SimpsonSouth WestBBCThe RRS Sir David Attenborough docked in Plymouth to restock supplies before heading to Antarctica A ship named after legendary broadcaster and writer Sir David Attenborough has stopped in Plymouth to take on supplies before heading to Antarctica. The Royal Navy said RRS Sir David Attenborough, which was almost named Boaty McBoatface after a public vote, described it as one of the "most advanced polar research ships in the world".The vessel visited His Majesty's…

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Application for new vintage arcade in Exeter put forward

Application for new vintage arcade in Exeter put forward

Guy HendersonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceSupervideo/Exeter City CouncilA planning application has been put forward for an amusement arcade in Exeter City CentreA planning application for a new amusement arcade in Exeter has been submitted. Paignton-based company Supervideo Ltd, trading as Boneyard Exeter, said the arcade would feature vintage arcade games from the 1970s and 1990s. A spokesperson said it would feature titles which included Space Invaders and Pac-Man, alongside select modern games such as dance machines.It said there were…

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M5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

M5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

George Thorpe,Archie Farmer andZhara SimpsonSouth WestWatch: Dashcam footage of a lorry fire which closed part of the M5There has been disruption on the M5 after a lorry fire forced the closure of part of the road in Devon for several hours.The fire started on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.National Highways said the lorry was carrying 20 tonnes (2000kg)…

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Lorry fire on M5 near Exeter causes delays and long queues

Lorry fire on M5 near Exeter causes delays and long queues

A lorry fire has forced the closure of part of the M5 in Devon.The fire broke out on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.Firefighters issued a warning for residents and businesses near the scene to close their windows and doors due to the amount of smoke from the blaze.National Highways said the lorry was transporting batteries and domestic appliances…

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Major delays on M5 due to lorry fire

Major delays on M5 due to lorry fire

George ThorpeDevon andArchie FarmerDevonWatch: Dashcam footage of a lorry fire which closed part of the M5There has been disruption on the M5 after a lorry fire forced the closure of part of the road in Devon.The fire started on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.National Highways said the lorry was transporting batteries and domestic appliances with nine miles (14.48km)…

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North Devon human remains belonged to same man, police say

North Devon human remains belonged to same man, police say

Human remains found on two beaches in Devon have been identified as being the same man, police have said.An investigation was launched in May after remains appeared on Westward Ho! beach near Bideford and part of the coastline in Appledore on 22 May.Devon and Cornwall Police said both sets of remains had been identified and belonged to the same man. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file for the coroner is being prepared. Source…

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Man seriously injured after group assault in Barnstaple

A man has been left with fractured ribs and a punctured lung after being "set upon by a group".The incident happened at about 01:05 BST on Saturday in Queen Street, Barnstaple, following a disturbance involving 12 to 14 young people, Devon and Cornwall Police said.Officers said a man in his early 20s was found outside Barum Takeaway with serious injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.Anyone who has information or video footage related to the attack has been…

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Rob Baxter says Exeter yet to begin contract talks with players

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has said he has not yet started formal negotiations with players approaching the end of their contracts.England centre Henry Slade is the highest-profile Exeter player whose contract runs out next summer, along with the likes of Josh Hodge and Olly Woodburn.The Chiefs have a win, a draw and a loss from their first three Prem games of the season, as they aim to improve on their worst-ever top flight campaign last season."We didn't have…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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