county news

Missing Budleigh Salterton sea swimmers ‘struck heart’ of town

  • Post category:Devon News

George Thorpein Budleigh SaltertonBBCSea swimmer Sarah Giles said there remained an "immense feeling of shock" in Budleigh SaltertonPeople in a coastal town said they remain in shock a fortnight after two men went missing at sea during a Christmas Day swim.Residents of Budleigh Salterton in Devon said it was all some people had spoken about and there had been a sense of the community rallying together to support each other.The two men - one of whom has been…

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Drivers caught speeding in Cornwall near school in 30mph zone

Two motorists have been caught driving at 50mph or faster in a 30mph zone during routine speed checks outside a primary school.Speed detection officers from Devon and Cornwall Police conducted checks on A3058 William Hoskin Road outside Nansledan Primary School on Monday morning, after concerns raised by residents and parents.Police said they arrived at about 07:00 GMT when it was "snowing lightly" and left at 09:45, with the conditions described as "icy".Insp Dave Routley from the force's road…

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Poole Twin Sails bridge set to reopen following repairs

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Poole Twin Sails bridge set to reopen following repairs

A lifting bridge that has been closed to traffic since August is expected to reopen next month.Twin Sails Bridge, which connects Poole with Hamworthy in Dorset, has been closed for repairs since engineers discovered "abnormal creaking" noises.The work had been due to finish in December but manufacturing delays meant the bridge remained out of action longer than expected.Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said, subject to testing, the route would reopen on 2 February.Environment councillor Andy Hadley said:…

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Consultation on tougher penalties for hit-and-run

Consultation on tougher penalties for hit-and-run

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestBBCMark and Helen Saltern have been campaigning for change since Ryan's deathA consultation on "tougher actions" for hit-and-run drivers will be held the government has confirmed, following a campaign by a victim's family. Ryan Saltern was killed in a hit-and-run in St. Teath in North Cornwall in 2019.The Department for Transport said failing to report a road incident was "completely unacceptable" and they were "considering tougher actions".Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay, said he…

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Mudeford beach hut owners look into legality of council tax rise

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Mudeford beach hut owners look into legality of council tax rise

Beach hut owners say they are looking into the legal basis of plans to reclassify their huts as second homes for the purposes of council tax.More than 300 owners will have to pay full council tax from April on huts at Mudeford Spit in Dorset, if plans by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are agreed.Mudeford Sandbanks Beach Hut Association (MSBHA) said the second home rule was being applied to "a wooden shed with no mains connections or…

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Road safety strategy a ‘missed opportunity’ says bereaved mum

  • Post category:Uncategorised
Road safety strategy a ‘missed opportunity’ says bereaved mum

BBCBridget Lucas' son Lawrence Bruce was killed in a car crash in 2022Plans for a road safety strategy without limiting passenger numbers for new young drivers are a "huge missed opportunity", a bereaved mother has said.Under government proposals, learner drivers in England and Wales could face a minimum learning period of up to six months between sitting their theory and practical tests.But so-called graduated driving licences, limiting new drivers under the age of 21 from carrying passengers of…

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Man dies in suspected hit-and-run crash in Poole

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Man dies in suspected hit-and-run crash in Poole

A man in his 20s has died in a suspected hit-and-run crash in Poole.Dorset Police said the man was found unresponsive in Wimborne Road shortly after 02:00 GMT, having been involved in a collision with a vehicle that had failed to stop.He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 51-year-old man from Bournemouth was later arrested on suspicion of driving offences.Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. Road closures are expected…

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FA Cup: Exeter City ask Man City for bigger share of gate receipts

  • Post category:Devon News
FA Cup: Exeter City ask Man City for bigger share of gate receipts

Since last season replays have been scrapped from the first round onwards, meaning clubs such as Exeter do not get the chance of a second pay day should they earn a draw.Last season, the Grecians were knocked out in the fourth round on penalties by Nottingham Forest, missing the chance of a lucrative replay at the City Ground having drawn 2-2 after extra time. Exeter received a massive boost in 2005, when they were a non-league club with…

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Devon athlete breaks fastest female Parkrun record

  • Post category:Devon News
Devon athlete breaks fastest female Parkrun record

A Devon international athlete has broken the UK female record for completing the fastest Parkrun.Innes Fitzgerald from east Devon, who is the current European U20 champion in both the 3,000m and 5,000m, completed the 5km (3.10m) Parkrun course in 15 minutes 27 seconds.Fitzgerald took part in the Exmouth Parkrun, part of a national event where people can run, walk or jog, on New Year's Day.The 19-year-old athlete, who studies sports and exercise science at the University of Exeter,…

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