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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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How cilia choreograph their “Mexican wave”, enabling marine creatures to swim

New research has unravelled the mystery of how microscopic cilia coordinate to move and propel marine creatures through water. Cilia are tiny, hair-like protrusions found in many organisms, including humans and many aquatic animals. Almost all marine plankton have a life stage where they have cilia, which act like microscopic oars,  fundamental to the organism’s  ability to feed, move and disperse through water, avoid predators, and select suitable habitats. Proper coordination of cilia is essential for the normal…

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Mary Arches “co-living” developer resists “miniscule” room size criticisms as design revisions prompt further consultation

Mary Arches “co-living” developer resists “miniscule” room size criticisms as design revisions prompt further consultation

Eutopia Homes has submitted minor design revisions to its application for full planning permission for a 300-bed seven storey “co-living” complex between Bartholomew Street East and Mary Arches Street, triggering a second public consultation on the plans.It has resisted criticism of the tiny room sizes in the development, which it wants to build at quadruple the recommended local plan density on the 0.49 hectare Mary Arches car parks site between a pair of student accommodation blocks providing 158…

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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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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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Truro City: FA Cup loss to AFC Totton down to missed chances – John Askey

Truro City: FA Cup loss to AFC Totton down to missed chances – John Askey

Truro City manager John Askey says his side's missed chances are to blame after they were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by AFC Totton.National League South Totton won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their fourth round qualifying replay to book a first round tie at Macclesfield. The Tinners went behind when Tony Lee pounced on a defensive error to put Totton 1-0 up after 14 minutes.But Totton played most of the game…

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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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£15.5 million to continue South West health research partnership

A partnership that carries out vital health research across the South West Peninsula to directly benefit patients and NHS services has been awarded £15.5 million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC) is a regional research partnership hosted by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth. Set up in 2008, it has conducted and supported projects which…

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Major new study discovers diet and migratory behaviour shape neophobia

The largest-ever study on neophobia, or fear of novelty, has discovered the key reasons why some bird species are more fearful of new things than others. Published in the journal PLOS Biology, the global multi-species study was led by the University of Exeter’s Dr Rachael Miller while at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and the University of Cambridge – with ARU funding the publication of the research – alongside a core leadership team from the ManyBirds Project. Neophobia plays…

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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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