county news

BCP Council to trial swipe-card access for libraries

BCP Council to trial swipe-card access for libraries

Tristan PascoeDorset political reporter, BournemouthBCP CouncilHamworthy library is one of several in the BCP area chosen to trial the new technologyA council in Dorset is hoping to bring swipe-card access to some of its libraries in a bid to encourage more library use by residents.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has applied for grant funding from The Arts Council.It wants to introduce "open access" so users can access their local libraries outside of normal opening hours.The system is…

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Bridgwater development approved despite right of way concerns

Bridgwater development approved despite right of way concerns

A housing development which will see more than 320 properties built on the edge of a town has been approved, despite concerns around public rights of way.Persimmon Severn Valley said it would build 323 homes over two phases on land south of the A39 Quantock Road near Bridgwater, Somerset.Durleigh Parish Council criticised the proposals, saying the site lacked well-lit and safe walking and cycling routes. Somerset Council approved the plans at a meeting on Tuesday, subject to recommendations…

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Somerset A361 cameras ‘catch thousands’ not wearing seatbelts

Somerset A361 cameras ‘catch thousands’ not wearing seatbelts

BBCSeth Marks, 21, says he needs round-the-clock care after being seriously injured in a crashNew Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras installed on a stretch of road have shown thousands of drivers and passengers are not wearing seatbelts, a council has found.The cameras were put in place along the A361 Frome bypass in Somerset, where six people have died in the last five years.Somerset Council said 4,407 people were spotted not wearing seatbelts in the four months between March and…

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Historic Meldon Viaduct needs up to £3m of repairs

Historic Meldon Viaduct needs up to £3m of repairs

A historic viaduct on Dartmoor will need up to £3m of repairs over the next 10 years it has emerged.Meldon Viaduct is 165m (540ft) long and was constructed just outside Okehampton in the 1870s to cater for the London and South West Railway line.The viaduct is a scheduled monument and one of only two surviving railway bridges in the UK built with wrought iron lattice piers and trusses.The Meldon Viaduct Company that was set up in 1998 to…

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Cornish blind surfer wins silver in world championships

Cornish blind surfer wins silver in world championships

A blind surfer from Cornwall has won a silver medal at the World Para Surfing Championships.Melissa Reid, from Porthtowan, was one of three women who won medals for Team England in the ISA World Para Surfing Championships at Oceanside Pier, California in the USA, on 7 November.Zoe Smith, from Bournemouth, won silver in the para surfing stand 2 category and Hannah Dines, who is based in Manchester and Glasgow, won copper in the para surfing prone 2 event.During…

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Martial arts helping tackle anxiety, says Devon coach

Martial arts helping tackle anxiety, says Devon coach

BBCMark Bishop said martial arts was a source of comfort to some studentsA martial arts teacher has said wellbeing is becoming a bigger part of the sport.Mark Bishop, who owns New Wave Martial Arts in Plymouth and Liskeard, said he had noticed a rise in anxiety among adults and children since the Covid-19 pandemic.He said the sport was becoming a "source of comfort" to help people become stronger willed.Mr Bishop is raising money for BBC Children in Need…

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South West tanker drivers ‘face 300 mile-trip to empty waste’

South West tanker drivers ‘face 300 mile-trip to empty waste’

BBCJames Martin from Pellows in Cornwall says the county does not have enough disposal sitesSeptic tank companies have said the number of sites available for them to unload waste has been reduced from 12 to five across Cornwall and Devon.They say the "unsustainable" situation has forced them to travel to sites in Bristol and South Wales to empty their tankers.South West Water (SWW) has confirmed some of its waste water treatment works in Cornwall which have permits to…

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Paul Wells’ family say chances were “missed” to prevent his death

Paul Wells’ family say chances were “missed” to prevent his death

Martin Jones,West Investigations, Wells and Chris Lockyer,SomersetFamily handoutPaul Wells was killed by his neighbour, who was suffering from mental health issuesThe family of a man killed by his neighbour said it was "disappointed" at the outcome of his inquest.Richard Matthews, who had severe mental health problems, admitted killing Paul Wells in Highbridge, Somerset, in June 2020 by diminished responsibility.In a statement after a jury concluded he had been unlawfully killed, Mr Wells' family said they would "always have…

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Video sought after serious Ottery St Mary assault

Video sought after serious Ottery St Mary assault

Detectives are seeking witnesses and information after a man was seriously assaulted in the early hours of Thursday 6 November.Devon and Cornwall Police said there was an altercation on Broad Street in Ottery St Mary at about 00:30 GMT, in which a man sustained serious head injuries, requiring hospital treatment.A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, and another man, 49, was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating.The men, who are…

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Escaped flamingo from Cornwall doing ‘extremely well’ in France

Escaped flamingo from Cornwall doing ‘extremely well’ in France

Mickaël BelliotFrankie was first photographed in northern France on 9 November, a week after she escapedA juvenile flamingo which escaped from a wildlife sanctuary more than a week ago is thought to be doing "extremely well" in the wild, keepers have said.On 2 November Frankie escaped from Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Hayle, Cornwall, despite her feathers being clipped on one wing to prevent her from reaching full flight.The escape prompted a search before the wading bird was…

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North Somerset Council sees ‘depressing’ recycling overspend

North Somerset Council sees ‘depressing’ recycling overspend

John WimperisLocal Democracy Reporter North Somerset CouncilA tonne of plastic that would have sold for £168 in 2024/25 is now only fetching £80 for the councilA council has been left with a "deeply depressing" overspend on waste recycling.Unlike black bin rubbish, which local authorities have to pay to dispose of, materials from kerbside recycling collections and household waste recycling centres can be sold as a source of income.But North Somerset Council said this year, reduced prices and increased…

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Plymouth council leader steps back from duties over illness

Plymouth council leader steps back from duties over illness

A council leader has thanked "incredible" NHS staff after he was taken to hospital.Plymouth City Council said Labour group leader Tudor Evans had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness and he would require "a period of rest" before a follow-up procedure later this month.It said deputy leader Jemima Laing would carry out his responsibilities during his absence.Evans said he was "looking forward to returning" to his role but added he was in "good hands and focusing on…

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