County Council highways teams and social care staff are on high alert ready to respond to potential flooding and other emergency incidents this weekend.
Reports this morning (Saturday 22 December) have already come in of property flooding in Cornwall and Devon, as the South West prepares for another deluge.
Devon County Council and the emergency services are warning residents to take care and remain alert to flooding.
Specifically the public are advised to take care and to avoid if possible cliff top coastal paths where recent rain has already resulted in land slips...
A section of the Exe Estuary trail at Nutwell Court (between Lympstone Station and the Commando Training Camp), may be closed over the coming days to allow Network Rail to carry out emergency repairs to their bridge on the adjacent Exmouth to Exeter railway branch line which has been damaged by the recent severe weather.
The temporary closure is needed to allow Network Rail to safely gain access to the bridge with heavy plant and equipment. A temporary speed restriction for passing trains has been put in place by Network Rail and they are preparing to carry out emergency works to...
There are problems on the A38 tonight. There are reports of heavy traffic queuing on the A38 northbound in Buckfastleigh at Lower Dean Junction, because of an accident involving overturned vehicle. Lane now open again. Fire & Rescue crews have confirmed that one vehicle was involved in a traffic collision, with a car in a field. Two occupants have been released from the vehicle by the fire service personnel and taken to hospital via land ambulance.
Meanwhile, there are (unconfirmed) reports of a further overturned vehicle eastbound on the A38 with slow traffic at Heathfield...
Police have issued an EVOFIT image of a suspect following an assault in Exeter.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident along The Quay in Exeter on the evening of Friday 7 December 2012.
At about 7.50pm a woman in her thirties was running along the canal path between The Port Royal pub and Trews Weir Bridge when she was approached by a man from behind and pushed against a wall. She screamed and the man ran off.
The suspect is described as Indian or Asian in appearance, aged approximately 28 to 30 years old and of a slight build. He has thick wavy...
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is warning of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning after attending two separate incidents at the same time on Wednesday night.
At 9.15pm, crews were called to a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a home in Ashleigh Close, Redhills, Exeter. A detector had alerted the occupants and the fumes were found to be coming from a defective gas cooker.
Less than 15 minutes later, crews in North Devon were called to Meddon Street, Bideford, where a detector had given warning of fumes coming from a...
There may be a few fog patches lingering this morning, but otherwise we can look forward to a largely dry and bright day, with some sunny spells and just light winds.
Alas, the fine weather is not set to continue, as rain is on its way and is due to arrive in the far west later this evening, spreading across all parts overnight, becoming persistent, and at times heavy. Winds will strengthen through the early hours.
Saturday looks to be a mild but rather wet day with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times. Sunday is set to be mostly dry but with rain coming in early evening and...
Sleeping away from the family home is linked to health risks for badgers, new research by the University of Exeter and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) has revealed.
Scientists found that badgers which strayed away from the family burrow in favour of sleeping in outlying dens were more likely to carry TB.
The 12-month study of 40 wild badgers was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and could have implications for the management of bovine TB in parts of the UK.
The behaviour of individual animals is thought to be a...
Ashfords LLP's multi award-winning conveyancing team has gained further recognition for the quality of its service at the 2012 Equity Release Awards, which took place at the end of last month (note: 27 November) at Merchants Taylors’ Hall in London.
The firm’s Equity Release team, led by Partner Peter Barton, was the overall winner in the National Equity Release Conveyancing category, beating Equilaw and Goldsmith Williams to win the award, which was voted on by participating advisors and providers.
Peter Barton, Partner and Head of the Equity Release practice at Ashfords,...
Devon County Council is warning motorists to take care when travelling today as the county continues to experience the effects of persistent rain.
All main routes remain open this morning - flooding has been reported on B3180 in both directions in Woodbury at the B3179 junction - but there is an increased risk of both surface water and river flooding as well as the potential for fallen trees and landslips.
Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, says:
"It is really important that we are all alert to the potential of...
