Network Rail has revealed its choice for an alternative railway line to the heavily damaged Dawlish line today.
The plans come as the rail authority had consider an alternative to the current coastal line after the recent storms destroyed an 80m section of track near Dawlish.
The potential route from Okehampton to Plymouth via Tavistock through areas of Dartmoor National Park has already come under criticism from some transport campaigners as it bypasses large areas of South Devon.
Calling for further rail investment in the Exeter Daily today , Transport Campaigner...
I have been a Devon transport campaigner since 1975, during which time we have pressed for greater investment in railway lines and trains. In that time we have successfully seen the re-opening of stations at Pinhoe, Digby & Sowton, Ivybridge and the reintroduction of more frequent services on many local lines. This is to be applauded.
However it is now becoming abundantly clear that our railway infrastructure in and around the county is in trouble. We desperately need urgent and deep attention to the whole rail system in the region. No wonder people are feeling abandoned by...
The South West is again being readied for a battering by the elements as high winds and heavy rain approach the region. Met Office warnings for heavy rain are in place prompting further flood fears as another 10mm-20mm of rain is expected to fall on already saturated ground. The Met Office has said: “The public should be prepared for disruption to transport and locally to power supplies, particularly when combined with the impacts of heavy rainfall.”
Police and partner agencies across Devon and Cornwall are continuing to prepare for severe weather. Multi-agency co-ordination...
Concerns have been raised that the £31.1m promised by the Government last year to secure the South West’s railways against severe weather was not delivered, despite widespread support from local authorities. The money was promised by the Government for a programme of rail improvements, after winter flooding cut off rail transport to the South West peninsula for several weeks in 2012/13 with an estimated cost to the South West economy of over £140m. Last week, before the most recent storms saw the destruction of 80m railway line near Dawlish, five Local Transport Authorities including Devon...
Silverton is honouring soldiers from the village who fought in the First World War with a specially-written musical revue which will be performed between Febuary 20-22 at Silverton Community Hall.
The unique work, titled Trenches and Wenches, tells the story of men from the mid Devon village who went to fight in France and Belgium and marks the centenary of the start of the conflict.
Although concentrating on the soldiers’ heroic efforts and sometimes tragic tales, it will also reveal what life was like for the women left behind without their menfolk through specially-...
There are fears that more severe flooding could be on the way as the Met Office upgrade many of its severe weather warnings to ‘amber’ for the rest of the week. Much of Devon and the South west will be covered by the ‘amber’ warnings and will see heavier rainfall than other areas. Forecasters predict that further spells of heavy and persistent rain will remain in Devon until a Saturday morning adding an extra strain to already saturated ground. The Met Office’s Chief Forecaster said: “Another area of low pressure will bring spells of heavy rain to southern England from Thursday afternoon...
Members of the Hotels and Restaurants Association are reporting increased sales in January 2014, compared to the same trading period last year. For many January is a month of penny pinching but local hotels are seeing a different trend.
Establishments including the Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel; the Sidholme Hotel, Sidmouth; Combe House, Honiton and the Best Western Tiverton Hotel have reported positive figures in January with sales up as much as 20% for individual hotels. Other members including Rendezvous Wine Bar are reporting increased sales too, with an increase of over 30%...
Police are appealing for information after three valuable parachutes were stolen from a van in Exmouth. Thieves broke into the yellow Volkswagen Transporter van while it was parked near to the Imperial Hotel on The Esplanade on the evening of 31 January. They forced open the passenger door and stole three rucksacks containing Javelin parachutes, valued at £18,000, and a £1,000 MacBook Pro laptop. Police are appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 9pm and 10.30pm. Anyone who has been offered the parachutes for sale is also...
Young People in Devon are campaigning against “devastating cuts” to the county’s youth services.
The cuts could see 60 jobs lost and council support and management withdrawn from the county’s 34 youth centres. Members of the UK Youth Parliament Devon with support from other groups have already mobilised a campaign against the proposed cuts with a petition to Devon County Council leader John Hart. In a statement released today campaigners write: "Young people across Devon have started to take action in the face of devastating cuts which face their youth service. “Over the next...
THIS half-term try learning a new skill and provide a home for birds to nest in your garden.
Join the countryside team on Wednesday, 19 February at the Axe Estuary Wetlands classroom between 10am and 1pm, and build a nest box from one of our easy-to-use kits – available for a range of common garden birds from blue tits to sparrows and starlings.
The Axe Estuary Wetlands officer and the countryside rangers will help you build your nest box and advise you on where to place it for the best results. You will be helping the conservation effort by encouraging biodiversity in your...
