Latest news with #DevonCountyCouncil
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Safety fears at Devon road junction as one home is hit four times
People in a Devon hamlet say they fear for their safety because a junction has become a rat-run for lorries and commuters and at least one building has been hit by vehicles regularly. The national speed limit of 60mph (95km/h) applies at the T-junction in Brandis Corner, near Holsworthy, and locals want traffic-calming measures. Shanae Boorman-Leech said bits of her property had been hit four times in three years. One single-vehicle accident saw serious injuries at the junction in 2023. Devon County Council said it prioritised locations where people had been injured in collisions and there have not been reported injuries there in the last five years, but it was happy to discuss concerns. Mrs Boorman-Leech, who bought her former Post Office home seven years ago, said she was anxious all the time at the A3072 said: "Every time we turn round and hear those 40 tonnes of brakes go on, the house shakes. "You're expecting either you are going to hear a crash or something is going to come through the wall."We've had the front garden hit; the corner of the garden wall, that's been hit twice." In December 2024, a car went into the side of her home and she said she was struggling to get it repaired because of difficulty coming up with a plan to put scaffolding up alongside the busy highway. Many of the homes at Brandis Corner were built when it was just a lane and a quiet A road. There are no footpaths. Sylvie Lee, 89, said: "You take your life in your hands [out walking], especially if there's any of those big lorries. "The roads aren't very wide and they come so close." Cathy Pitt, who has lived there for 50 years, said: "It's got so fast, and the lane... is now like a main road. "My uncle, who used to live here, drove his cattle down the road. "He'd run on ahead of them and stop them while he checked the main road and then they scurried across the road into the cowshed. You couldn't do that now."Bradford and Cookbury Parish councillor Nick Langley said traffic-calming was said: "The answer here that I would personally like to see, and I know many of my fellow councillors would like to see, is three-way traffic lights. "That would really solve the problem." In the meantime Mrs. Boorman-Leech said the part of her home that was damaged in December could not be used because it was unsafe. She said she was still trying to agree a way forward with her builders and Devon County Council. The council said: "While we understand the homeowner's wish to protect their property, because of the position of the extension in relation to the road, there are concerns that any Road Restraint System (RRS) or safety barrier at this location could encroach onto the highway. "We need more information including a detailed plan of any the proposed RRS installation and we would be happy to discuss this with the owner of the property further."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Households on Universal Credit can claim £300 cash this summer holiday – will you get a boost?
Plus, we reveal more local authorities giving away free cash including one East Midlands council issuing grants worth up to £320 CASH IN Households on Universal Credit can claim £300 cash this summer holiday – will you get a boost? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can claim up to £300 in cash this summer. Hard-up families can claim support through the government's Household Support Fund. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households can get support through the government's household support fund Credit: Alamy The scheme has been extended multiple times, with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council has a share of £742million which it can dole out to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies but help is usually offered to those on low income or claiming benefits. Households in Doncaster can apply for cost of living cash worth up to £300 to help with a supermarket shop. You must have dependent children to qualify for the support. A dependant child is a child for whom you receive Child Benefit. For example, if you have one dependent child you will receive £100. This rises to £200 if you are a household with two dependent children. If you have three or more kids the amount you receive is £300. To be eligible for the support you must be claiming Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, means tested free school meals or council tax reductions. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now If you previously applied for the support, a payment will be made to the bank account using information you previously provided. If you have not submitted an application before you can do so online by visiting, Elsewhere, residents of North Northamptonshire can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £320 on August 4. A person who lives alone will be given a voucher worth £150. Meanwhile, a house with two residents could receive £260 for their food shop. If you live in a home with three residents or more you will receive a voucher worth £320. Does every council offer support? The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. So, if you don't live in this area but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. For example, residents in Worcestershire can apply for support worth up to £500 to help with water and energy costs. Devon County Council has also issued supermarket vouchers worth more than £90 to 22,000 families with children on free school meals. The £90 is equivalent to £15 per week for the six week school holiday. Households in Redcar & Cleveland can also now apply for support worth up to £230.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Households can apply for £320 worth of free supermarket vouchers in DAYS – check if you're eligible
HOUSEHOLDS will soon be able to apply for a free supermarket voucher worth up to £320. Hard-up families can apply for the support through the government's Household Support Fund. 1 The support has been extended multiple times, with the latest round running from April 2025 until March 2026. Each council has its own share of the £742million, which they can dole out to residents in need. Eligibility criteria for the support varies but usually you need to be on a low income or on benefits. Residents of North Northamptonshire will soon be able to apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £320. The amount you receive depends on a number of factors, including how many people you live with and your income. For example, a person who lives alone will be given a voucher worth £150. Meanwhile, a house with two residents could receive £260 for their food shop. If you live in a home with three residents or more you will receive a voucher worth £320. To apply you will need to have a National Insurance number and provide proof of your income with a bank statement. The scheme was closed due to a high number of applications, but is due to reopen again in just a few weeks. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now The second window of applications will re-open on August 4, 2025. The council said submissions are expected to take two months to process. If approved, you voucher will be sent to your email address. If you are keen to apply visit, for more information. What if I don't live in North Northamptonshire? The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. So, if you don't live in this area but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. Devon County Council has also issued supermarket vouchers worth more than £90 to 22,000 families with children on free school meals. The £90 is equivalent to £15 per week for the six week school holiday. Households in Redcar & Cleveland can also now apply for support worth up to £230. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Devon care leaver homes in charity-council partnership
Proposals to create eight new homes, specifically designed to house care leavers with complex needs, have been supported in a charity and council a meeting on Wednesday, recommendations to lease land at Aldens Farm in Alphington, Exeter, and Silverhills, in Barnstaple, to enable the constructions was backed by Devon County Council's home would be designed for young people with higher levels of need, the meeting will invest £950,000 per site while Devon County Council will lease the land for 125 years as match funding. The partnership follows an £18m donation to Barnardo's from the Katherine Martin Charitable sites will have a cluster of four self-contained homes and separate accommodation for a support worker, who will be on hand to provide support and guidance. Councillor Richard Jefferies, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, said: "Children leaving care and transitioning into independent living often have difficult histories and residential care or shared living arrangements might not always be suitable or in their best interests."Without stable housing and the right support, they can struggle to stay in education, find work, or access training and this can increase the risk of homelessness and serious health issues."Gap homes provide a suitable alternative; they are safe and will provide stable accommodation for some of our most vulnerable young people."
BBC News
23-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Devon footbridge closed in 2023 set for repairs
A "vital" footbridge in East Devon which has been closed to the public for almost two years is being dismantled so it can be repaired. Coleridge Bridge, which links the two parts of Ottery St Mary, closed to the public in December 2023 after being hit by a tree, which damaged its deck and County Council said a delay in repairing the the bridge was due to "environmental considerations" in planning the work with the Environment Jess Bailey said she was optimistic the "absolutely vital link for residents" would be repaired and opened to the public in September. A crane was being used to dismantle the bridge in sections before it would be transported off site for repairs, project staff said. Bailey said: "I'm delighted we have reached this major milestone in the re-instatement of Coleridge Bridge. "The footbridge is an absolutely vital link for residents of Ottery St Mary and students of the Kings School. "I'm really optimistic that the bridge will be opened in September which will be excellent news." Consideration from the Environment Agency was needed as repair work to the bridge's central support involves working within the riverbed. Councillor Dan Thomas said: "Everyone would have wanted this work to have got under way sooner."There's been a lot of discussions and planning with the Environment Agency in advance of getting on site to ensure environmental considerations have been factored into the work."
