county news

Temporary 30mph speed limit lifted on Cornwall link road

Temporary 30mph speed limit lifted on Cornwall link road

A temporary speed limit has been lifted on a new link road.A 30mph (48.2km/h) limit was put in place when the A30 to St Austell Link Road opened while engineers completed work on and near the 3.9-mile (6.3km) single carriageway, Cornwall Council said.The road, which connects the A391 at Singlerose Roundabout in Carluddon with the A30 at Victoria, has been built to divert traffic away from villages such as Roche and Bugle.Steve Trevelyan, councillor for Roche and Bugle,…

Continue ReadingTemporary 30mph speed limit lifted on Cornwall link road

University of Plymouth building evacuated after chemical leak

University of Plymouth building evacuated after chemical leak

A university building has been evacuated after a chemical leak, firefighters have said.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said eight fire engines were at the scene at the University of Plymouth's Davy Building, along with some specialist appliances.It said everyone had been accounted for. Devon and Cornwall Police said it was assisting the fire service with traffic management. The BBC has asked the university for comment. Source link

Continue ReadingUniversity of Plymouth building evacuated after chemical leak

Bristol Airport parking crackdown over unofficial sites

Bristol Airport parking crackdown over unofficial sites

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBristolAvon and Somerset PolicePolice targeted rogue parking companies in the countryside near Bristol AirportA police operation targeting rogue airport parking companies has been carried out after complaints of cars being damaged or having unexplained additional mileage.The action, led by officers covering Bristol Airport, targeted unofficial companies in North Somerset.Avon and Somerset Police said officers went to three car parks and found no staff there, with insecure vehicles and a caravan being used as offices with what appeared…

Continue ReadingBristol Airport parking crackdown over unofficial sites

Julio Pleguezuelo: Plymouth Argyle defender’s joy at return to fitness

Julio Pleguezuelo: Plymouth Argyle defender’s joy at return to fitness

Julio Pleguezuelo says it was an "amazing feeling" to return to the field after being out all season.The Plymouth Argyle defender started Tuesday's Vertu Trophy win at Leyton Orient after recovering from knee surgery.The 28-year-old Spaniard was injured in Argyle's final game of pre-season back in August. "It was an amazing feeling to be back out there on the pitch," he told BBC Radio Devon."It's been a long time coming, but I got through all my rehab and…

Continue ReadingJulio Pleguezuelo: Plymouth Argyle defender’s joy at return to fitness

Four Poundland stores to close in Bristol and Somerset

Four Poundland stores to close in Bristol and Somerset

Four Poundland branches in Bristol and Somerset will be closing amid financial problems at the budget chain.In June, Poundland was bought for £1 by investment company Gordon Brothers, which said it needed to shut about 100 shops to stop the retailer going into administration. The firm said it would try to negotiate cheaper rents and close branches where this could not be agreed.Branches in Portishead and Weston-super-Mare will close on Christmas Eve, while the Yeovil Middle Street and…

Continue ReadingFour Poundland stores to close in Bristol and Somerset

Festive Weymouth seafront stockings highlight foster carer need

Festive Weymouth seafront stockings highlight foster carer need

A seafront has been decorated with hundreds of handmade festive stocking to highlight the need for foster carers.The 471 stockings have been hung up along Weymouth Esplanade - each one represents a child or young person in care in Dorset.Dorset Council hopes the striking display - part of the council's Give the Greatest Gift campaign - will raise awareness and encourage more people to think about fostering.The stockings, on display along the Esplanade by the Jubilee Clock, were…

Continue ReadingFestive Weymouth seafront stockings highlight foster carer need

Bus services to get £139m funding boost

Bus services to get £139m funding boost

Hundreds of millions of pounds of government funding is to be spent on supporting bus services in the South and West of England.The Department for Transport (DfT) said the money, to be rolled out between 2026 and 2029, would help local travel become more reliable. Councils across the two regions will get a combined £139m in funding to help improve both the bus services themselves, as well as network infrastructure. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a total of…

Continue ReadingBus services to get £139m funding boost

Need To Know Somerset – Frome fire ripped through block of flats

Need To Know Somerset – Frome fire ripped through block of flats

Available for over a yearFire crews were called to the property on the evening of Wednesday the 3rd of December. Nine people have been moved into temporary accommodation in hotels due to extensive fire, smoke and water damage to the building. Image credit: Chloe RaeburnProgramme WebsiteShow less Source link

Continue ReadingNeed To Know Somerset – Frome fire ripped through block of flats

Man, 18, hit by car on motorway was Tasered before death

Man, 18, hit by car on motorway was Tasered before death

National HighwaysLogan Smith, 18, died after being hit by a car on the M5 in North Somerset on SundayAn 18-year-old who got out of an ambulance on a motorway was Tasered by police before he was hit by a car and died, the police watchdog has said.Logan Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, died on the M5 in North Somerset late on Sunday evening. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said he was being taken to hospital when concerned paramedics…

Continue ReadingMan, 18, hit by car on motorway was Tasered before death

Derelict seaside hotel in Torquay converted into council flats

Derelict seaside hotel in Torquay converted into council flats

The first project in a council scheme to convert derelict hotels into rental homes has been completed.Brampton Court in the seaside resort of Torquay has been redeveloped into 14 energy-efficient one and two-bedroom apartments.Torbay Council, which came up with the scheme, said the apartments would be "let at social rents to local households" with the first tenants expected to move in before Christmas.The council has acquired a second site in Torquay at the Seabury Hotel and said construction…

Continue ReadingDerelict seaside hotel in Torquay converted into council flats

Appeal for Eden Project founder’s holiday home plans dismissed

Appeal for Eden Project founder’s holiday home plans dismissed

Lee TrewhelaLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceLDRSThere were protests over an earlier version of the proposalEden Project founder Sir Tim Smit has had an appeal dismissed over plans to build holiday homes and other facilities at a golf course site.Cornwall Council refused a proposal from Mr Smit and his son Alex for 19 domed accommodation units known as drums, a clubhouse, car park, reception and classroom to be built at Gillyflower golf course in Lostwithiel in March 2024.Planning inspector Andrew…

Continue ReadingAppeal for Eden Project founder’s holiday home plans dismissed

New Christchurch and Poole boat licences in bid to improve safety

New Christchurch and Poole boat licences in bid to improve safety

Operators of pleasure boats and personal watercraft on parts of the Dorset coast will require new licences under plans set to be introduced to improve safety.BCP Council is set to establish its first Pleasure Boat and Boatperson policy, covering vessels in Poole and Christchurch harbours.It would mean boat owners would have to demonstrate their craft are "safe and well-maintained", with annual inspections and surveys of the hull.Operators of hired personal watercraft would also have to provide a safety…

Continue ReadingNew Christchurch and Poole boat licences in bid to improve safety