Local News

With popular independent shops and restaurants, the road became one-way temporarily in June 2020 to support social distancing and encourage cycling and walking. And like many of the other one-way road trials along the new E9 cycle route, which connects the Newcourt/Pynes Hill area to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and city centre, councillors voted to keep the layout in the summer following a public consultation.

During Heidi’s stay in Bramble, she planned to fundraise for the RD&E Charity’s Starfish Appeal and decided to utilise her skills in crafting, she hands out her handmade keyrings, bracelets and knitted finger snakes and so far Heidi has raised over £700 of her £1000 target and plans to keep crafting until she leaves Bramble Ward.

A new 'one-stop-shop' handbook offering tools and guidance to students, researchers, staff, and businesses interested and involved in entrepreneurship has been launched by the University of Exeter.

Police are seeking the public’s help to trace a 32-year-old man from Exmouth. Thomas Matthew is wanted in connection with reports of assault and taking a vehicle without consent.

A new BMX bike track and skate facility in Exeter is already proving a big hit. The pump track and mini ramp at Pinhoe Station Road Playing Fields has attracted dozens of local riders and skaters despite only being open a week.

East Devon District Council are seeking to gather feedback on green spaces in the East Devon Area. The feedback they receive will help them to identify what is important to you, what can be improved, and how they can reshape our green spaces.

Libraries in Devon are throwing their doors open in welcome this winter, to provide a range of help, support, advice and comfort to people who may be struggling, or beginning to struggle with the rising cost of living.

New data gathered by volunteers in East Devon suggests fish populations could thrive as part of the Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP).

The Exeter Plan exhibition roadshow will begin next week as officers take the consultation on a 10-week tour of every ward in Exeter. The first public exhibition will be held on Monday 3 October at Newtown Community Centre between 1pm and 6pm.

Councillors are carrying out scrutiny on homelessness in Exeter and the related support services provided by the City Council. The Scrutiny sub-group would like to hear from residents and groups within the community who would like to present evidence.

The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has announced a £2 million investment in the Environmental Living Lab, enabling the trial and demonstration of sustainable agricultural and environmental technology in the South West.

Last year, more than 4,000 lives were saved and improved through organ donation, but there are still almost 10,000 people in the UK in need of a lifesaving transplant.

Log burners and open fires are a great way to keep warm as well as create a welcoming, cosy atmosphere, but there are risks that come with fires too. In winter, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue attend more than 10 chimney fires a week.

A break-out initiative to bring library services and creativity directly to people on the high street is being pioneered by Libraries Unlimited in Exeter.

New bus timetables have been announced by Stagecoach South West to concentrate its resources where it says demand is deemed the greatest.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning that lower levels of natural immunity within the UK population, against the most common H3N2 flu strain, could lead to the virus circulating widely this winter.

The government is creating a “wild west economy” that is failing to address Devon’s problems, the county council’s opposition leader has claimed.

Paths have been improved and upgraded in one of Exeter’s popular valley parks, making them perfect for an autumn stroll.

Life can be difficult enough some of the time, and when you’re young and growing up, those day-to-day interactions with others, your attitude about yourself, your relationships with people at home, at school or work, can be especially overwhelming.

After hearing from residents young and old, businesses and from all sectors of our economy through public consultations and a Citizens’ Assembly. The final version of the Devon Carbon Plan has now been published by the Devon Climate Emergency partnership.

A speed camera near Exeter could be removed as a result of “road environment changes.” The camera, near the Powderham Farm Shop entrance on the A379, hasn’t worked since 2019 when it was damaged by a vehicle.

Devon will continue to meet its legal obligations for vulnerable adults following concern about a £1 million reduction in spending by the county council.

Pay for foster carers employed by Devon County Council will continue to be reviewed after criticism that a rise of less than two per cent is “way too little.”

The University of Exeter has retained its place amongst the top 15 UK universities in the influential Guardian University Guide 2023.

Residents and businesses are being invited to have their say in shaping the Exeter of the future. The Exeter Plan - the city’s new Local Plan - looks ahead over the next 20 years to 2040 and will be the blueprint that shapes the future development of Exeter.

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards service is warning residents to look out for scams, that appear to offer financial support to help households with their energy bills.

Devon County Councillors have approved the introduction of a digitalised residents’ parking permits system which will make it easier for users to manage their permit, and aims to encourage the uptake of electric and lower emission vehicles.

At 9.30am on Saturday 24 September 2022 the crew of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II were tasked by H.M. Coastguard to assist four individuals on a 34ft yacht that had run aground on the River Exe at Lympstone.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are looking for people to join our Trust in a special voluntary role. In September, members of the public can stand as a candidate for election as one of the Trust’s Governors.

New figures show Sidmouth and Kingsbridge are the Devon towns with the strongest recovery in visitor numbers after Covid restrictions were lifted.

A new area of open green space for local people to enjoy next year has been acquired by East Devon District Council.

New figures show fewer recorded potholes in Devon, but the county’s highways chief has warned roads “could deteriorate” without more money.

Under new plans which will be subject to a vote on Monday, the price of permits will increase to £35 for a property’s first vehicle – a rise of £5. Second permits will then be higher depending on the vehicles’ carbon emissions, while extra permits on top of that will cost £65.

A study by the University of Exeter and The Farming Community Network found many farmers felt disconnected from wider public. Some had been sworn at or subjected to abuse during the course of their working day while other said loneliness led to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety

The Lord Mayor of Exeter has taken part in a visit to the city's prison to take a book of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for officers and prisoners to sign. The visit is part of a tour of the city by Lord Mayor Cllr Yolonda Henson, which has included a number of care homes and a planned visit to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Dame Hilary Mantel, the best-selling author known for her award-winning Wolf Hall historical trilogy, has died at the age of 70. Her publisher said her passing was a "devastating loss"

The Government's announced an extra £500m for adult social care, to help support people when they’re ready to leave hospital this winter. They’ve called it a ‘down payment’ as they develop their longer-term plans.

A ground-breaking camera system which uses artificial intelligence to catch drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel is being trialled in Devon and Cornwall over the next two months. The technology can also detect whether drivers are wearing a seatbelt. The aim is to deter us from distractions which can result in serious and fatal collisions.

Many of Exeter’s best-known employers are taking part in the city’s largest jobs fair next week. Exeter Autumn Jobs Fair 2022 takes place at the Corn Exchange on Tuesday 27 September, from 11am to 3pm.

Despite recent falls in Covid infections, Devon’s director of public health is urging caution, saying the virus “hasn’t gone away” and asking eligible people to get their covid booster and flu jabs. The latest data reveals significantly fewer people in Devon’s hospitals now have the virus – 55 patients – compared to the July peak of 333.

Police are warning you to be vigilant following a phone scam in which the caller is pretending to be a police officer. Detectives say an elderly man has been conned out of £10,000 and a woman in her 70s was persuaded to draw out a substantial amount of money, but thankfully did not hand this over and instead called the police.

A week of action has been taking place around Exeter City Centre's nightspots as part of Devon and Cornwall Police’s commitment to tackle violence against women and girls. Over three nights, officers carried out seven arrests and stopped numerous vehicles.

At a confirmation hearing of the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel in Plymouth yesterday, Will Kerr OBE, a deputy chief constable in Scotland was endorsed as the region’s new chief constable.  His appointment follows the retirement of Shaun Sawyer last month who had been in the role for more than a decade. 

Children are able to enjoy newly installed play equipment at a play area in Exeter. An attractive new wooden climbing frame and slide has been put in at the Bury Meadow Play Area.

People in Devon who are most vulnerable to flu and Covid-19 are being encouraged to book their autumn booster vaccines.

Work to upgrade almost 40 streetlights along Sidmouth seafront is underway. The streetlights along the Esplanade were fitted in 2004 to replace the old wooden columns and the columns themselves are unique to Sidmouth, being made specifically for the town.

Councils across the UK are calling on the new Prime Minister to deliver on her promise, made during the Conservative’s leadership election, to provide more funding for adult social care.

In local football on Saturday in the Southern league one south Exmouth Town have another home game after their comfortable win over Evesham Utd last week when Westbury Utd are the visitors to Southern Road this time and victory could put them top of the league if Sholing fail to win at Wimbourne Town.

Building on East Devon District Council’s support for the tourism industry with the EastDevonly campaign, a new tourism strategy has been approved by Cabinet.

Heavitree Pleasure Ground has been voted a ‘local favourite’ in a poll to find the nation’s favourite park. The park finished in the top 20% of the public vote of the Fields in Trust poll, earning the popular green space the title of ‘local favourite’.

The OPCC grant scheme is now live on the Devon Community Foundation website.

Sidmouth Town Council is delighted to update children and families that the renewed Long Park play park will be opening soon, with only the new flooring to be completed and to announce the planned start date of 26 September 2022 for the Ham play park.

Volunteering opportunities are set to be showcased at Exeter’s biggest volunteer fayre. The fayre takes place at Exeter Central Library on Thursday 29 September, between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

The preferred choice for Devon and Cornwall Police’s next chief constable will need to wait a little longer for his appointment to approved after a meeting to rubber stamp his appointment has been postponed.

Devon County Council’s projected overspend for this financial year has been reduced after it found millions of pounds of savings and extra income.

Foster carers employed by Devon County Council are set to receive a pay rise of less than two per cent from next month.

The cost of residents’ parking permits is set to rise under plans revealed by Devon County Council.

Exeter has been named as runner-up in the coveted University of the Year award in the influential The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

With the cost of living rising and many households struggling to make ends meet, a charity in Exeter is providing furniture and other household goods at low cost to people on low incomes.

Exeter Cathedral is to hold a special Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. More than a thousand people are expected to attend the service, which takes place at 3pm on Sunday 18 September.

A number of public services will not be operating in Exeter on Monday [19 September], when the Queen’s state funeral will be held.