Friday 19 January 2024
The next storm which looks set to batter Devon has been named as Storm Isha by the Met Office, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast for the county this weekend.
North Devon is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with the Met Office issuing an Amber Weather Warning for strong winds from 6pm on Sunday until 9am on Monday morning. Gusts may reach up to 80mph.
A Yellow Weather Warning for wind is in place for the whole county from 12 noon on Sunday until 12 noon on Monday with wind gusts of 50-60mph likely inland, and they could reach up to 60-70mph on the coast and other exposed areas.
Road, rail, air and ferry services may be impacted during the storm. There may also be hazards with flying debris, while beach material could be washed onto coastal roads.
Although Saturday is expected to be relatively mild and dry for most of the day, road users are being urged to take extra care if out on Devon’s roads on Sunday and into Monday morning.
Before the stormy conditions arrive, tonight will see another evening of sub-zero road temperatures across the county and the possibility of rain overnight which could lead to a risk of icy patches tomorrow morning. Gritters will be heading out on Devon’s main gritting routes this afternoon and this evening.
Read the full story on our news page.
 Look twice, save a life
Motorists are being urged to take care on the roads after a number of serious collisions in Devon. Since the start of January, there have been three incidents involving pedestrians and tragically, one of those was fatal.
The VisionZero South West road safety partnership, of which we are a part, has issued a plea to motorists following these incidents. They are asking that when driving, please make sure you look twice for pedestrians, runners and cyclists, especially when approaching junctions and crossings. It's particularly important at this time of year when it gets dark earlier and visibility is reduced.
Devon & Cornwall Police, also part of VisionZero, have encouraged cyclists and pedestrians to wear bright or reflective clothing during darker hours to help ensure they can bee seen more clearly.
 Coleridge Footbridge set to remain closed this year
Coleridge Footbridge in Ottery St Mary is unlikely to re-open this year due to the extent of the damage it has sustained from a fallen tree.
In order for repairs to be carried out, a large crane is required to lift the bridge and place it on the ground, but conditions are not suitable to undertake this operation.
Due to the size and estimated weight of the tree, the best way to remove the tree without causing further damage to the bridge is also likely to require a large crane which again would need better ground conditions.
The bridge is currently fenced off at both ends and members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Any accidental movement of the tree could lead to further damage to the bridge or cause it to collapse completely.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
Did you know that 90 per cent of a child's brain growth happens before the age of 5 years old? A new national campaign has launched to help parents understand how important a child's early years are, and how little moments together can help their child's progress.
Right from the start, all those little moments you spend together with your child are building their brain. Spending time together helps their development, helping them learn to communicate, build confidence and make friends.
New research shows that parents prioritise activities like reading bedtime stories (65 per cent) and playing with toys (61 per cent) for their child's language and communication skills. Yet, everyday moments are often overlooked, which is why the campaign focuses on the importance of day-to-day activities such as the daily routine around the house, which is explained in this short video.
You can find out more about how to support your child on the Start 4 Life website and on the Devon Health for Under 5s website.
There are around 1.4 million children in England with special educational needs, many of whom may also have a disability. In Devon, thousands of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are receiving support to attend mainstream or special schools or other educational settings.
We produce a newsletter every month that we email to parents and carers of children and young people with SEND. It's to help keep parents and carers informed of work we're doing to improve support for young people with SEND, and to signpost to services or guidance that may help families.
You can subscribe to receive the email newsletter on our website or use the button below.
 Consultation launched on Barnstaple bus lane improvements
We want to know what you think about our plans to improve bus lanes on Braunton Road in Barnstaple.
In order to reduce bus journey times for services from Braunton towards Barnstaple, we're planning to segregate the bus lane from other vehicles via hatched lines and refuge islands and remove an existing traffic light from the bus lane at the Pilland Way and A361 junction.
The revised layout would promote priority for buses and taxis to avoid queuing traffic and forms part of our Bus Services Improvement Plan which has secured Government funding to prioritise bus improvements across the county.
You can find out more in the full story on the news page of our website, including how to comment on the proposals before the consultation closes on Sunday 18 February.
Peninsula Transport is currently consulting on its draft transport strategy which will be used to guide regional transport investment decisions until 2050.
Peninsula Transport is the Sub-national Transport Body (STB) representing Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. They provide a collective regional voice about the strategic transport and infrastructure needs of the region in order to boost economic growth.
The online consultation is running until Monday 5 February 2024 and you can read the strategy document on their website. There are also Easy Read and audio versions of the strategy on the site.
You can also register for a webinar on Wednesday 24 January, which will explain more about the strategy and how to respond to the consultation.
 Roundabout improvement work to start
Work is due to get underway on improvements to Cedars Roundabout at Bickington on Monday 22 January.
The scheme, which is expected to be completed in June, includes the installation of a new signalised crossing on the southern arm of the roundabout to make it easier for people to cross the A3125 Bickington Road and help vehicles from the Bickington and Fremington area to enter the roundabout to ease traffic flow in that direction.
The majority of the work will be carried out using temporary traffic lights at the roundabout, although there will be occasional overnight road closures (6:30pm to 7am) for approximately 15 nights throughout the duration of the scheme to enable certain elements of work to be undertaken safely.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Check your eligibility for energy bill discount
The government is encouraging people on low incomes to check if they can benefit from a £150 rebate on their energy bills.
The help is available to over three million households across the country that are most at risk of fuel poverty, with many receiving the discount automatically.
However, some customers have been sent a letter asking them to confirm their details or provide more information by calling the Warm Home Discount Helpline on 0800 030 9322 so they can check their eligibility and get the rebate. Please do this by Thursday 29 February to get the support you are entitled to.
Cold Weather Payments have also been triggered to help households receiving certain benefits to stay warm this winter. The scheme – which runs until March 2024 – provides low-income households with an automatic payment of £25 following periods of cold weather.
Further information about the Warm Home Discount Scheme is available here and households can check if they are eligible for the support using the online eligibility checker.
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