Exeter

An elderly woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a road traffic collision in Exmouth earlier today, Thursday, (2 January). The collision took place at around 12.40pm on Barrowdale close, Brixington and involved the woman and a blue BMW car. The woman has been taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. The road has been closed at its junction with Jubilee Drive and is not expected to be re-opened for some time.

Police were called to Porthleven Sands Beach in Cornwall this morning (2 January) after the discovery of a man’s body. Officers attended the beach around 9am after a call from a member of the public. Next of kin are being informed although formal identification has not yet taken place. The death is not thought to be suspicious.

...............................................

Police and Coastguard are continuing with the search for a missing 27-year-old man who went swimming with friends at Loe Bar Beach, Porthleven, Cornwall, in the early hours of New Year's Day.

...

The Environment Agency has warned of life-threatening flooding around the Devon Coast.

The agency has issued 14 ‘Severe’ flood warnings ahead of further extreme weather conditions including for the communities around Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton.

Low lying and exposed communities between Exmouth and Lyme Regis, including sea front areas of Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Seaton are asked to be aware of the severe warning and take immediate action to stay safe.

Warnings have also been issued for the coastline between between Start Point and Dawlish Warren...

Some Commuters could see their travel costs rise to over £5,000 a year as the rail fares increase nationwide.

Industry organisation, the Rail Delivery Group, have said that increase is the smallest increase in the last four years but campaigners have said the fares are still rising three times faster than average incomes.

On average UK rail fares are set to rise by 2.8% but some regulated tickets, such as season tickets and off-peak travel tickets have risen by 3.1%.

This could see some commuters spending more than £5,000 a year on travel costs.

South West...

Sam Alford and Sam White, both from Exmouth, are starting a bike recycling project at Bicton EaRTH in East Devon. It is one of few such projects based in the heart of a rural community where there is a need for low-cost, independent transport – especially for young people.

After working for various charities and youth projects they are now establishing EaRTH Cycles and want the public to donate their old bikes, rather than throwing them away.

“We’ve secured support for the project from Devon County Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, Making it Local and Awards For...

Exe Bridges has now been re-opened and traffic is flowing normally. The road was closed after emergency services were called after a woman was spotted on the railway bridge. Negotiators were called to the scene and the woman came down safely.

........................

Exe Bridges has been closed to inbound traffic following an incidet in the area.

Buses are currently being diverted the Stagecoach A, E, F, P and GREEN P&R services are being diverted from the area

More details to follow.

Photography by Chris Wollocott

With the storms and chritsmas celebrations in December was a busy month. Photographer Chris Wollacott caught some of most iconic sights from around the area.

Police have found a body on the bank of the River Torridge in the search for missing North Devon man Caleb Jarvis.

The body has not yet been formally identified but Police have confirmed that the search for Mr Jarvis has been called off.

The body was found by members of the Public near the entrance to Devonshire Park at 11:30am on New Year’s Day.

Police have not confirmed if the body had been in the River and are not treating the death as suspicious.

Mr Jarvis, missing since December 9 after going missing from his home in Greater Bideford, required...

Tom Johnson will extend his Exeter Chiefs career into a tenth year after he today put pen to paper on a new three-year deal with the Aviva Premiership club. With his current contract set to expire at the end of the season, Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has wasted little time in tying down the future of the England international. Signed in 2007 from then National League One counterparts Coventry, the 31-year-old forward has since gone on to establish as an integral part of the Exeter squad in recent years, amassing 168 appearances in total and scoring 27 tries. Johnson’s decision to prolong...

Damian Welch said his decision to stay with Exeter Chiefs was effectively a “no-brainer” after he today sealed a new two-year deal at the Aviva Premiership club. Signed ahead of the 2011/12 season from Welsh region Scarlets, the 31-year-old has settled well to life in the Westcountry and has installed himself as a senior figure within Rob Baxter’s first-team squad. With 30 appearances and six tries already to his name, Welch is determined to build on what has been a solid start to life at Sandy Park for the towering second-row forward. “I’ve loved being here since I got here,” he said. “It...