From Devon County Council:

A381 Night-time Road Closure

From this Monday 4th April, the A381 will be closed from Totnes to Churchstow on weekday evenings (Monday to Friday) between 7pm and 7am for Devon Highways to undertake road stud maintenance. The works are expected to finished by Friday 20th May.

The official diversion is being given as A379, A3121, A38, A385 and vice versa. Meaning Churchstow – Aveton Gifford – Modbury – Ermington – Ugborough – A38 – Shinner’s Bridge – Totnes.

More information may be found at the Devon County Live Roadworks page

On 18th March 2022, South Hams District Council issued a news release stating that the executive (along with Plymouth and Devon Councils) would be considering the full business case of Freeport Status for the area ahead of a submission to HM Government in April.

Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Nick Kelly said: “We are only one of eight areas to get Freeport status and we see this as a brilliant catalyst to build back better and drive economic growth.

“It’s also a chance to showcase our strengths in the marine and defence sectors to the rest of the country, the world, and to support the growing space sector. We have the commitment of some of our largest local employers, including Babcock and Princess Yachts, as key partners in the Freeport.

“Additionally, the Freeport is also about the long term prospects for up-skilling our future workers, making sure there are great job prospects for tomorrow’s workforce.”

The Freeport is expected to see

• 3,584 direct jobs created with an average wage of at least £13.92 per hour
• 10 per cent of jobs created to be filled by inactive claimants and registered unemployed
• 3,000 m2 of skills infrastructure
• 2,400 m2 of new innovation space
• 137.9 hectares of land developed
• 5 new businesses each year
• 2 to 3 new foreign direct investment each year
• 40 business/higher education collaborations a year from 2022
• £4m a year in private investment in research and development
• 10 new products developed for market

The full press release may be viewed here.

 

On 3rd March 2020, SHDC issued a bulletin stating that the Garden Waste Service would be restarting in the Spring.

In summary:

• in August 2021, SHDC suspended their garden waste collection service;
• from 28th March 2022, the service will restart;
• the garden waste “brown bins” will be emptied on the alternate week to the domestic waste “grey bin”;
• there is a list of what will be collected using the brown bins and other FAQs available at: garden waste restart

The full text of the bulletin may be read here: South Hams Garden Waste is Restarting This Spring

At 1802 on 17th February 2022, Devon County Council issued a bulletin warning that widespread disruption is likely across Devon tomorrow (Friday 18th February) as a result of Storm Eunice:

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EXTREMELY STRONG WINDS ONLY TRAVEL IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

Storm Eunice: ‘extremely strong winds’ to peak on Friday and continue over weekend

Widespread disruption is likely across Devon tomorrow (Friday 18 February) as the south west is expected to be battered by gale force winds caused by Storm Eunice.

Peak ‘Red Warning’ winds of up to 80 miles per hour inland and 90 miles per hour in coastal areas are likely from 7.00am – 12.00 noon, while an Amber Alert is currently in place until 6.00pm on Saturday, with strong winds set to last over the weekend.

Stay safe and only travel if absolutely necessary

We’re advising people to only go out during Storm Eunice if absolutely necessary as there’s a high chance that conditions will be quite unsafe, so please delay your journey if you can.

If you do absolutely have to travel, slow down, allow extra time and drive according to the conditions.

Such strong winds may well lead to fallen trees or branches and other debris on the roads, so be alert, particularly on minor roads where they may not have been reported.

Avoid overnight travel as roads will always be more hazardous at night with poorer visibility so it’s harder to see debris.

Remember, never drive through floodwater or swollen flowing water, you don’t know how deep it is. Find a safe, alternative route.

Extremely strong winds, large waves and high tides means there’s a severe threat of flooding along our coastline, so please stay away as beach debris is likely to be thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads and properties.

In the event of flooding, you can speak to a trained operator 24 hours a day seven days a week via

Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

They can offer you immediate advice on flood risk, and what to do before, during and after a flood.

Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down. Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.

In the event of a power cut, please call 105.

Western Power has some useful information on their website,

including what you can take to keep yourself safe until the problem is fixed.

The high winds are likely to result in the temporary closure of Taw Bridge, Barnstaple. Other bridges may also be affected. Wind speeds are being constantly monitored, so please check before you travel. If you must travel during a bridge closure please plan your journey, find a safer alternative route, and leave extra time.

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The bulletin also contains links to information about school closures and school transport changes, as well as what to do in the event of a flood or power cut.

Devon County Council also offers continuous updates via their social media channels:

• Devon Alert on Twitter
• Devon County Council on Facebook
• Devon County Council on Twitter
• Devon County Council on Instagram
• Devon County Council on NextDoor

Devon County Council issued a bulletin on 20th January 2022 in response to a statement in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister.

In the House, the Prime Minister had said:

“Today’s latest ONS data shows clearly that infection levels are falling in England. And while there are some places where cases are likely to continue rising, including in primary schools, our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally.”

Hospital admissions nationally, he said, have now stabilised and the numbers in intensive care are falling. Mr Johnson also said that:

• from the next Thursday (27 January) mandatory certification will end, meaning people will no longer have to prove their Coronavirus status to gain entry to some venues;

• the government will no longer ask people to work from home, but that people should talk to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office;

• that it will no longer be compulsory to wear face coverings, starting this week in classrooms;

• there will be easing of restrictions governing visits to care homes.

But while the current rules around self-isolation remain in place, Mr Johnson said:

“There will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether – just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu.”

He added that he does not expect to renew the current self-isolation regulations, when they expire on Thursday 24 March.

Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said in response:

“While we have seen a reduction in the overall number of people reporting a positive test in the past week, numbers are now stabilising, and we are seeing increased rates in younger children.

Case rates are still high and it is important that people understand that this announcement is not one of ‘freedom day’, but a reverting back to plan A.

Devon’s uptake of the vaccination is good, with more than 85 per cent of eligible people overall now having had their booster.

However, take-up of the booster is lower in some younger age groups, and it’s imperative that they and everyone who is eligible for their booster jab, comes forward as soon as they can.

Omicron is by no means a mild virus, and the symptoms to those who are unvaccinated or who have underlying health concerns can be extremely serious if not life threatening.

So while the Prime Minister is indicating light towards the end of the tunnel, my advice is that we are not yet out of the woods.

We must stay vigilant and alert to risk that is still around us.”

• “Being fully vaccinated, and boosted, gives us best protection from this virus.  It’s not too late to start vaccinations, and there are now plenty of opportunities in Devon to get your booster jabs at walk-in and vaccination centres;
• wearing face coverings is still an effective and sensible precaution to continue in indoor and crowded spaces, especially with people you don’t know;
• regular lateral flow device testing for people with no symptoms is still the best way to identify those carrying the virus — as is taking a PCR test by people showing symptoms;
• keeping indoor spaces ventilated is a sensible precaution to reduce risk;
• and staying at home and avoiding others if you have symptoms of the virus or test positive for it, is still the most responsible way to avoid spreading it to others.”

“Please be cautious, let’s use our common sense, and continue to follow good basic public health advice.”

You may view the full Public Health bulletin from Devon County Council here.