county news

What does a ‘tourist tax’ mean for the West of England?

What does a ‘tourist tax’ mean for the West of England?

Visitors to the west of England may soon have to pay an overnight visitor levy under plans set out in the autumn Budget.Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give locally-elected mayors across the UK the power to enforce a tourist tax and reinvest the money directly into their areas.According to government statements, the new levy would be "modest" and applies to hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets, guesthouses and other paid accommodation.Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) councillor Kevin Guy…

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Delivering new Somerset railway station ‘remains on the horizon’

Delivering new Somerset railway station ‘remains on the horizon’

Daniel MumbyLocal Democracy Reporter Daniel MumbyPlanned site of the New Somerton Railway Station seen from the Ricksey Lane BridgeDelivering a new rural railway station remains "on the horizon" despite the immediate lack of funding, a council said.Plans to deliver a new railway station to serve the growing towns of Somerton and Langport, in Somerset, were dealt a blow shortly after last year's general election when chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves MP cancelled the restoring your railway fund…

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Former Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

Former Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

Stephen Richards/GeographAlan Harris is accused of sexually abusing clients in the cells at Charles Cross Police Station (pictured) and Plymouth Magistrates' CourtA former criminal defence solicitor has denied he sexually abused and raped clients.Alan Harris, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, Devon, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 18 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault, three charges of rape and one of another serious sexual offence.The 72-year-old, who has denied all 30 charges, is…

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Budget sparks concern among south west businesses

Budget sparks concern among south west businesses

Georgina BarnesSouth WestBBCJohn Brown says increased wages will come at an "extra cost for businesses"Workers aged between 18-20 will see a minimum wage increase to £10.85 an hour, up from £10, and those aged 21 and over on the living wage will receive £12.71 an hour, up from £12.21.Teenagers aged 16 or 17 on the minimum wage will be paid £8 an hour - a 45p raise.Mr Brown said businesses needed more support with the rising wages.He said:…

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‘Ageing’ traffic lights at Dunster junction to be replaced

‘Ageing’ traffic lights at Dunster junction to be replaced

Onyi UbadighaWest of EnglandBBCSomerset Council said the work was part of a county-wide plan to replace traffic lightsTraffic lights on two "busy" junctions that are more than 30 years old will be replaced in early 2026. Work on the signals at the A39 junction with the A396 at Dunster, Somerset and the A39 junction with Clarks Village is expected to start on 5 January and finish in AprilSomerset Council said it was "imperative" the "ageing" signals were replaced…

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First locomotive crosses rail bridge at Shillingstone since 1966

First locomotive crosses rail bridge at Shillingstone since 1966

Volunteers rebuilding a section of railway ripped up in the 1960s are celebrating after witnessing a locomotive cross the station bridge for the first time in nearly 60 years.Shillingstone station in Dorset closed in 1966 but, in 2005, a group of locals took on the lease and began restoration work, initially opening a museum and cafe.In July, North Dorset Railway completed a four-year project to double the length of the track to half a mile (0.8km), with the…

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Girl, 5, died after tonsils surgery in Cornwall, inquest hears

Girl, 5, died after tonsils surgery in Cornwall, inquest hears

Lisa YoungCornwall, Cornwall Coroner's Court, TruroThe Milnes familyAmber had her tonsils and adenoids removed in a planned operationA five-year-old girl died after a blood vessel ruptured following a routine operation, an inquest has heard.Amber Milnes died at Royal Cornwall Hospital on 9 April 2023, four days after her tonsils and adenoids had been removed to help improve her sleep patterns.Paediatric pathologist Dr Andrew Bamber told the inquest at Cornwall Coroner's Court on Wednesday Amber had died as a…

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Fire at ‘very dangerous’ derelict Devon hotel was arson

Fire at ‘very dangerous’ derelict Devon hotel was arson

A fire at a "very dangerous" derelict hotel is being treated as arson, police say.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews from multiple fire stations were called to the blaze in Seaton, Devon, at about 03:13 GMT on Wednesday.Devon and Cornwall Police urged people not to visit Seaton Heights Hotel, which it said was "now much more dangerous following the structural damage caused by the fire".The force said the blaze had a "great effect on the…

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Police carry out ‘important’ knife crime operation in Cornwall

Police carry out ‘important’ knife crime operation in Cornwall

Almost 30 knives have been handed in as part of a police operation in south east Cornwall.Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police carried out a series of activities between 17-23 November in Liskeard, Saltash, Torpoint and Looe, which included amnesty bins, patrols on trains and visits to shops.The force said the exercises, which were part of Operation Sceptre - a national initiative focused on tackling knife crime - led to 29 knives being dropped off in amnesty bins.Insp…

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Dorset farmhouse with ex-ballroom becomes social housing

Dorset farmhouse with ex-ballroom becomes social housing

An old farmhouse with an outbuilding that was formerly used as a ballroom has become a supported living scheme for vulnerable young people.West Farm, at an undisclosed rural location in west Dorset, has been opened for people aged 18 to 25 who are at risk of homelessness.The six-bed unit together with two nearby flats are designed to provide safety and teach independence skills, Dorset Council said.Councillor Gill Taylor, in charge of housing, said residents were being given a…

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Pedestrian seriously injured in collision with car in Beer, Devon

Pedestrian seriously injured in collision with car in Beer, Devon

A woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a car. Devon and Cornwall Police said it was called to Common Lane in Beer, Devon, at 16:55 GMT on Tuesday following a collision involving a pedestrian and a Renault Kangoo.The force said the injured woman was in her 80s and from Beer.Police have asked for witnesses or those with relevant dashcam footage to get in touch. Source link

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‘Stonehenge tunnel’ and ‘music festival error’

‘Stonehenge tunnel’ and ‘music festival error’

National HighwaysThe Stonehenge tunnel scheme was scrapped last year Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesA Wiltshire MP has slammed the government's proposal to revoke planning consent for a road tunnel near Stonehenge, reports the Salisbury Journal. The controversial scheme was given planning permission in 2023 but was scrapped last year. The search is on for a new developer…

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