Archive for category: News

On 22nd January 2024, SHDC released a notice about the Dartmouth Ferry Services:

Those in Dartmouth looking to travel across the River Dart by car are being asked to plan ahead as there will only be a single car ferry service in operation from Monday 29 January.

Due to unexpected, but essential maintenance work, the Dartmouth Lower Ferry will need to continue to run a single ferry service until Monday 12 February 2024.

Unfortunately, during this time, the Dartmouth Higher Ferry also enters its own maintenance period and they will not be running their usual service.

This means there will be one car ferry crossing the River Dart during this period.

South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Community Services; Operations and Leisure, Cllr Victor Abbott, said: “We know this is going to be a busy time to travel across the Dart and we urge you to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time for your journey.

“Every year we do essential maintenance on both of our vessels, Tom Casey and Tom Avis as they are over 30 years old. It is very important that we continue to maintain them for the safety of our passengers. That is always, and will always be our top priority, as well as providing an efficient service to all who use the Lower Ferry.

“On our recent inspection, it was found that some essential work needed to happen. Although we are aware this will cause some disruption for our customers, we are relieved to have found the issue early before it became a major problem for the future.

“Be assured that we will do all we can to make journeys as smooth as possible, including extra staff working on our ferry and help to control traffic during peak times.

“This will be a very busy time for our friendly team, please be kind and respectful to them while using our service.”

For more information on the ferry, please visit: http://www.southhams.gov.uk/dartmouth-lower-ferry

Karen Dent, the Sport and Community Development Officer for South Hams Devon Outreach recently released details of the Swim School New SEND 1-2-1 Swimming Lessons.

She said:

South Hams and West Devon District Councils have released December’s Climate Change and Biodiversity Newsletter. It is available on the web here.

It includes items about:

• EV Strategy adopted by South Hams District Council
• Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaption Plan
• End of Year Summary
• Funding
• Connected Warmth
• VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme
• Naturesave Trust
• COP28 Summary
• The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation
• Review of the research and scientific understanding of drought

Devon County Council’s Integrated Public Transport Manager released the following on 15 December 2023

---

You may be aware that Dartmouth Hill, Stoke Fleming will be closed from 2^nd January to 28^rd March 2024 to rebuild a retaining wall, and Church Street (and other adjacent roads) in Modbury will be closed from Monday 8 January until 9 February 2024 to allow South West Water to reline water pipes.  Both of these road closures are on the A379 which is the route for the 93 bus service from Dartmouth to Kingsbridge & the 3 bus service from Kingsbridge to Plymouth.

This will result in considerable impact to these bus services because of the diversionary routes needed to circumnavigate the two road closures.  We have been working closely with Stagecoach to find solutions that mitigate the impacts. Set out below an overview of what will happen through each phase of the closures.

Click here to see the temporary Modbury and Stoke Fleming timetable

Phase 1: 2^nd January – 7^th January 2024

Stoke Fleming Closure only.

During this phase the 93 bus service will be diverted around Stoke Fleming via Dartmouth – A3122 – Oldstone Cross – Bowden – Strete.

This diversion should not take that much more time over the normal route.  We are anticipating that the bus will broadly remain on time so the timetable will not be altered.  Stoke Fleming will be served with a shuttle bus to Dartmouth, operated by Stagecoach throughout the morning and afternoon.  The shuttle bus is timed to maintain links to education, work, health and shopping needs in Dartmouth.

Phase 2: 8^th January – 9^th February 2024.

Stoke Fleming and Modbury Road Closure

The 93 will continue on its diversion around Stoke Fleming, but the 3 bus service will also be diverted around Modbury via Harraton Cross – California Cross – B3196 – Kitterford Cross – A3121 – Hollowcombe Cross.

This diversion will take an extra 40 minutes to navigate which will mean the 3 & 93 will have to run to a reduced timetable to accommodate the extra running time.  Within this timetable we have continued to maintain links to education, work, health and shopping needs in Plymouth, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth.  To achieve this, journey times, length of service though the day and the frequency of buses will be impacted.

The Stoke Fleming shuttle bus will continue to operate to Dartmouth and a second shuttle bus from Modbury to Yealmpton will also operate.  This shuttle bus is timed to connect with the 3 bus service at Yealmpton with some journeys extending to and from Plymouth. One journey will also operate to Harraton Cross on school days to ensure students can get to Kingsbridge Community College.

Phase 3: 10^th February – 28^rd March 2024.

Stoke Fleming Road Closure only.

As per Phase 1, the Stoke Fleming shuttle bus will continue to operate, and the 3 & 93 bus services will revert to their normal timetables.

 

I hope this briefing provides you with sufficient detail to keep you posted, but should any queries arise please email the Devon Bus Mailbox: devonbus-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Kind regards

Michael Tucker
Integrated Public Transport Manager
Transport Co-ordination Service
Matford Offices
County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter
EX2 4QD

South Hams District Council have recently issued new advice about recycling, reusing and waste reduction over the Christmas period.

---

Their guide to Christmas collection dates along with other helpful recycling information may be found here. The full bulletin may be viewed in web form here.

The main collection changes are detailed below

Don’t forget that garden waste collections are suspended from Sunday 17th December and resume on Monday 15th January 2024