Western Power Distribution (WPD) has proposed record investment and a ground-breaking network improvement plan for the South West, which promises to reduce power cuts, help vulnerable customers and support environmental targets. However, the company is still keen to hear from customers in the region to have their say on its plans.
WPD is responsible for the power lines, poles, transformers and substations that deliver electricity to 7.9 million homes and businesses across the Midlands, South West and South Wales.
With a headline pledge to become a Net Zero company by...
Most companies in the South West are set to increase their investment in technology following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A survey carried out by Exeter-based IT support and tech strategy experts Timewade has revealed that nearly two thirds (63%) of companies have increased investment in the short term to deal with challenges including remote working, cyber security and protecting data, and 50% will continue to increase investment beyond the next 12 months.
The survey also reveals the technology and business challenges faced during the pandemic in the region...
The past 12 months have exacted a terrible toll on both our population and our economy – but with vaccine delivery progressing well and a roadmap to reopening now defined, thoughts are rightly turning to recovery. But let’s be clear – recovery has to be about more than regaining lost ground. Instead, we must aim higher.
If the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered one unexpected positive, it has been a chance to reassess. With so much of our traditional activity on hold, we have had an opportunity to take stock, to re-evaluate our future,...
A new study launched by the UK’s largest online learning provider, The Skills Network, has found that significant career changes for those in the South West are most likely to happen at age 30.1, but 2 in 5 won’t go after their dream job, due to the daunting prospect of having to retrain.
The research analysed answers from 1,000 people across the UK who have made a significant career change, during their working life, and had to retrain as a result. In the South West, people are likely to make six job changes during their working career, suggesting that you don’t have to have it...
Thousands of new trees will be planted across the South West thanks to a cash boost from the Woodland Trust.
Both Devon and Cornwall councils will benefit from the charity’s Emergency Tree Fund that aims to make up for a current lack of investment to help cash strapped local authorities break through barriers to get more trees and woods in the ground, giving more local communities the green spaces on their doorsteps that are desperately needed, and which have shown to be so important for people during the current pandemic. In 2019 Cornwall Council declared a Climate Emergency and...
Romantic Exeter bus driver Chris Oakley proposed to his partner of two years, fellow driver Fiona Smith, on Tuesday 2nd March 2021 with a special bus bearing a ‘Will You Marry Me? display.
Chris and Fiona met driving buses for Stagecoach in Exeter; Chris had joined the company in 2016, whilst Fiona started with Stagecoach in 2019. The couple began their relationship not long after Fiona became a driver at the Exeter depot.
When asked how they first met, they explained that Fiona had been assigned a shift on the Exeter City E and F routes, which are operated by Optare...
Brexit issues are causing small to medium-sized (SME) manufacturers in the South West significant disruption as they look to recover from the economic effects of COVID-19.
The latest South West Manufacturing Barometer, which is produced by SWMAS, reveals 61% of companies have seen negative price changes within their supply chain since leaving the EU, with the availability of raw materials an issue for 52% of firms.
More than half of regional respondents cited complications with importing goods (53%), whilst 43% found exporting products more difficult since December 31st....
The NIHR-supported Novavax COVID-19 vaccine – which was trialled in Exeter and Cornwall – has demonstrated that the vaccine is 89.3% effective at preventing COVID-19.This data was identified from interim analysis of the Phase III study and included effectiveness against the new variants.
The Novavax study is the largest ever double blind, placebo-controlled trial to be undertaken in the UK. It recruited over 15,000 participants in just over 2 months from 35 UK research sites, including the NIHR Patient Recruitment Centre based at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust...
Wheels 2 Work has received a major boost in the South West, with the launch of Wheels 2 Work South West (W2WSW). This significantly builds upon the work of Devon Wheels 2 Work which has been providing transport support for those accessing work and education since it was first launched in 2001.
In a further development, W2WSW has become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and has applied to become a charity.
The Wheels 2 Work programme was originally established as an amalgamation of three existing programmes which was renamed to Devon Wheels 2 Work in 2006....
New YouGov research sponsored by Fibre One, the indulgent 90 calorie treat, has revealed that adults in South West England would like fewer possessions, to spend less time worrying and prefer to spend time on traditional hobbies than using screens.
In a new poll of 192 adults in the South West, the research revealed that after a difficult 2020 for all, nearly half of (41%) would like to spend less time worrying. Across Britain, a concerning 61% of young people would like to spend less time worrying (18-24 year olds). One in five (20%) would like to spend less time working, while...
