Drivers face delays as A35 Christchurch bypass closes for repairs

Post published:October 27, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Drivers face three weeks of disruption as a busy section of dual carriageway closes for maintenance and repairs.The eastbound A35 Christchurch bypass in Dorset will be shut from Fountain Way roundabout from 18:00 GMT on Monday until 06:00 on 10 November.It will close westbound from Somerford Roundabout between 18:00 on 10 November and 06:00 on 17 November.The official 30-mile diversion is an hour-long route via the A338 Wessex Way, the A31 at Cadnam and the A35 via Ashurst…

Towns and cities in the south awarded funding for green projects

Post published:October 27, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Tristan PascoeDorset political reporterBBCThe Housemartin Tower and wildlife pond at Christchurch is in the middle of a housing estateAmbitious plans to bring nature into urban areas and make it "accessible to everyone" have been awarded funding in Hampshire and Dorset.The National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with partners Natural England and The National Trust, has provided more than £15m to be spent on "green projects" across the country.It hopes to attract close to £1bn of future funding to boost…

MoJ owes us £20m after contractor ISG’s collapse, say suppliers

Post published:October 27, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Josh Sandifordin BirminghamGetty ImagesSuppliers who worked on HMP Birmingham say they are owed hundreds of thousands of poundsThe government is facing questions over tens of millions of pounds owed to suppliers who worked on upgrades to three prisons in England.At least 40 companies are believed to be owed the money for work they carried out in Birmingham, Liverpool and Dorset, before lead contractor ISG entered administration in September.The small and medium-sized firms say they should have been protected…

Somerset in Pictures: Thieving seagulls and pumpkins

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Autumn blossoms beautifully across the county this week, with nature turning from green, to yellow to amber.Pumpkin picking, spectacular murals and a daring rescue await...A mural featuring seagull swooping down and pinching chips was painted in Taunton on the side of a chip shop as the third and final artwork in a project to bring "colour and interest" to the area.AFRSPinky the horse was saved from a water-filled ditch in Yatton by Avon Fire and Rescue Service.It took…

Fire service issues warning ahead of Halloween

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Householders are being encouraged to swap real candles for battery-powered alternatives this Halloween.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said around one in eight fires began with naked flames such as candles, cigarettes and matches.The fire service said Halloween was one of the highest-risk times of year for these incidents.Kate Saint, head of prevention at the fire service, said: "Switching from traditional candles to battery-operated ones is a simple step that can help decorations and costumes from catching…

Bournemouth and Poole’s tourism websites get new operators

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGetty ImagesSome of the county's tourism areas include Branksome Chine Beach in BournemouthA county's official tourism websites and social media are set to be taken over by new operators.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is stepping back from Bournemouth and Poole's tourism websites and moving away from destination marketing.The Destination Management Board (DMB) and Christchurch Town Council have now set up "Bournemouth and Poole Tourism", which will take over the marketing of the websites and…

Residents urged to share views on Barnstaple’s Rock Park

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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People have been urged to share their thoughts on how a park could be improved.A consultation has been launched into the future of Rock Park, in Barnstaple, in Devon.The town council hopes to gather views on how people use the green space and what improvements they would like to see.The consultation closes on 9 January. Mayor of Barnstaple, councillor Janet Coates said: "Rock Park is an important green space for our community." She said: "We want to ensure…

Devon and Cornwall police history gem to be digitalised

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Office of the Police and Crime CommissionerThe items are said to be a glimpse into the historical archivesA collection of thousands of artefacts, documents and photographs charting local policing history is in the process of being digitalised for future generations.The little-known collection of police memorabilia, believed to be the biggest of its kind in the UK, offers a glimpse into the history of policing in Devon and Cornwall.The display is owned and funded by the Office of the…

Owner of Nailsea’s oldest shop celebrates 100th birthday

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Jonathan Holmes,Bristol and Liam McGuinn,in NailseaBBCJohn Brown has run the shop since 1957The owner of a town's oldest shop is celebrating his 100th birthday.John Brown, owner of John Brown Hardware, built and then opened his shop in Nailsea, North Somerset, in September 1957 with his father.Mr Brown regularly worked in the shop until the age of 98, and still oversees the business. He said he still felt like a "youngster at heart" and was "proud and honoured" to…

Exeter Digest #92: Heavitree Road student scheme revisions – Boneyard arcade to return – Mary Arches co-living developer doubles down

Post published:October 25, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
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HEADLINESHeavitree Road police station student accommodation and “co-living” scheme consultation extendedDevelopers revise application for full planning permission for 813-bed seven-block complex submitted in May as similar proposals proliferate across city centre. Read more.Unique retro games arcade to create new Sidwell Street venue after long searchBoneyard arcade seeking permission to change use of empty Brighthouse retail unit after making way for ‘co-living’ block at previous Red Lion Lane location. Read more.Mary Arches “co-living” developer resists “miniscule” room size criticisms…

Hundreds gather for rival protests in Exeter city centre

Post published:October 25, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Hundreds of people from two opposing protests gathered in a city standoff, separated by a heavy police presence.About 250 people took part in the British Unity Walk, which made its way through Exeter city centre before going towards Bedford Square. As the march approached the square, it was met by a counter-protest of about 600 people, organised by local community groups under the banner Exeter for Everyone. A total of 85 police officers, including some drafted in from…

Heavy traffic near Bristol after man arrested

Post published:October 25, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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A motorway closure is leading to heavy traffic after a man was arrested for reportedly "failing to observe" it.The M4 is currently shut between junction 18 for Bath and junction 19 for the M32 while National Highways engineers install eight steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.There are delays of nearly an hour on either end of the closure and according to National Highways, westbound traffic is building up as far east as junction 17 for…