Friday 8 March 2024
Around 2,000 trees have been relocated as part of our pioneering efforts to make the A382 link road development near Newton Abbot the UK’s first “carbon negative” highway.
A field near the road has been transformed into a temporary nursery to house the trees ahead of the start of construction work.
The A382 improvement scheme is one of seven projects receiving a share of £30 million through the Live Labs 2 programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and organised by the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport, (ADEPT), to decarbonise the construction and maintenance of the road.
For the next couple of years, the makeshift tree nursery will be home to several different native species, including yew, beech and hawthorn. The site has everything the trees need as it also includes an irrigation pond to store water for the drier summer months.
You can read more about this project and the pioneering approach to relocating trees to make way for the new link road, in the story on our news page.
 Pay and display plans set for axe
Controversial proposals to introduce pay and display parking in eight Devon towns are set to be withdrawn, with councillors to decide next week.
There has been huge opposition to the plans which would have seen charges being imposed after an initial free parking period in Braunton, Crediton, Dartmouth, Honiton, Okehampton, Salcombe, Sidmouth and Tavistock.
Our Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Meg Booth, says:
"There has been significant objection to the principle of new pay and display across all communities and to implement the schemes as advertised would not be listening to the concerns of the communities.
"However, within the comments received, there is evidence of parking problems within the communities and if and when communities identify potential solutions, these could be considered at a future date."
You can read the full story on our news page.
Our Cabinet is due to discuss a report on the proposals next Wednesday13 March, which recommends withdrawing the proposals.
Officers from Devon County Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have met to review the issue of non-compliance with the bus gates at Whipton Lane and Ladysmith Road, in the Heavitree area of Exeter.
We and the Police agree that the behaviour of some drivers who routinely ignore the restrictions is completely unacceptable, and places other road users, particularly those who are vulnerable, at increased risk.
We applied to the Department for Transport in November 2023 for Moving Traffic Enforcement Powers, which, if approved, will enable us to consider several tactical options, including 24/7 enforcement coverage.
In the meantime, Devon and Cornwall Police will undertake random and unpredictable enforcement at the bus gates and will ensure an occasional unannounced joint presence with enforcement officers from the council.
The Police will also accept online reports from the public where clear and unambiguous evidence exists of an offence.
You can read more about the decision in the story on our news page.
Our Cabinet will be asked next week whether Members agree with a recommendation to close the North Devon Link Service Drop-in services that run from Link Centres in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe.
The services are managed by Devon Partnership NHS Trust to provide a range of social, leisure, support, guidance and educational opportunities for adults with mental health issues that do not require specialist NHS care.
They're commissioned by us to meet social care needs, not complex mental health needs.
Around 130 people have used the services over the last 18 months.
Cabinet members will hear that the council does not fund services like these anywhere else in the county, but also that there are other services in the three towns that support adults with mental health needs.
The report that they will discuss describes the work of the Devon Mental Health Alliance with other local partners, to deliver a growing number of mental health support services in the area, accessed through GP practices and the wider primary care team.
And that new Mental Health Multi Agency Teams are working within GP surgeries in the towns, offering support and that can refer people to Devon Mental Health Alliance or other community-based services.
You can read more about the report ahead of next week's meeting in the story on our news page.
 Conservation and improvement work starts at Stover Country Park
Work has started on a range of major improvements at Stover Country Park.
The scheme includes extending the current visitor centre, creating a new community workshop, re-establishing a section of the historic Serpentine Lake, and silt dredging of Stover Lake.
It's all part of the Restoring Stover Park Project, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund which aims to create a better place for people, wildlife and heritage.
Work on these initial elements of the project is expected to be completed this autumn but an extensive activity plan of community engagement is continuing to be delivered throughout the three-year programme.
To find out more, read the full story on the news page of our website.
 "If your condition isn't life-threatening, consider 111, your GP or local pharmacy first," says Dr Acheson.
Pressure on NHS services remains high
NHS Devon says that new data shows that pressures on the NHS are not letting up, with huge demand on their services last week.
“This winter has been incredibly busy and challenging for the NHS with staff juggling high demand for services, pressure caused by flu, COVID-19 and norovirus, high bed occupancy and periods of industrial action," said Dr Nigel Acheson, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon.
“This latest data shows we are still experiencing significant demand going into spring.”
Anyone needing emergency or life-saving care should contact 999 or attend Emergency Departments, but otherwise, the NHS is asking the public to choose the best service for their medical need.
"If your condition isn't life-threatening, consider 111, your GP or local pharmacy first," says Dr Acheson.
To free up beds for really sick patients who are arriving at Emergency Departments, the NHS is also asking anyone who has a loved one in hospital who is ready to come home, to collect them as soon as possible.
To read more, visit the One Devon news page.
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