HEADLINES
Dawlish rail resilience, Exeter A379 bridge renewal and Cullompton M5 J28 schemes all shelved after spending review
Government road and rail funding announcement billed as “the biggest boost to England’s transport infrastructure in a generation” largely passes Devon and Cornwall by while leaving final phase of South West Rail Resilience Programme undelivered. Read more.
New Heavitree Road police station student accommodation and “co-living” complex proposals submitted to Exeter City council
Application for full planning permission for 813-room scheme in seven blocks follows decision to reject previously-proposed 955-room scheme in two blocks which was subsequently upheld at appeal. Read more.
National Audit Office finds decline in Devon bus passenger journey numbers among largest in country
Devon journeys down 28% – seventh from bottom across 85 areas – while journeys in Cornwall increased by more than 40%. Read more.
Danny Barnes received full £15,000 Devon County Council allowance during 2024-25
Heavitree & Whipton Barton councillor failed to sign off £14,600 community grants after attending only two of fifteen public meetings and is alleged to have worked for Scottish Labour MP Imogen Walker since shortly after last year’s general elections. Read more.
Wonford Road modal filter bus gate to be first of five Exeter ANPR camera sites
Devon County Council will use new moving traffic offence enforcement powers to issue penalty charge notices to motorists contravening active travel, bus lane and one-way street restrictions. Read more.
Exeter residents eat lowest proportion of 5-a-day fruit and vegetables in Devon with only South Hams above England average
Public health report also finds three in ten Devon residents are physically inactive and nearly two-thirds overweight with new countywide health and well-being strategy due in autumn. Read more.
ON OUR RADAR
Summer at the Quayside // Exeter Quay
A month of free family activities including weaving, felting, doodling and drumming. More details.
Theatre in the Park // Rougemont Gardens
Exeter Phoenix hosts an al fresco summer theatre season featuring Shakespeare, spoken-word poetry, puppetry and physical comedy. More details.
Three Acres And A Cow // Sidwell Street Methodist Church
A history of land rights and protest in England told in folk song, story and poetry. More details.
BELOW THE FOLD
Labour councillors dive deeper into denial in decision to abandon Northbrook pool
Exeter residents mourn as council suppresses destructive consequences of creating St Sidwell’s Point complex that looms in leisure service shadows like a leviathan. Read more.
Devon & Torbay CCA keeps quiet about 2025-35 Local Growth Plan as it takes charge of regional development agenda
Combined County Authority privately selects unspecified stakeholders to co-author document setting out strategic priorities but with little of substance to say on addressing region’s structural challenges. Read more.
Special report: Exeter City Council fields false prospectus in determination to close Northbrook pool
Ian Collinson reports double down on misrepresentation, material omission and flat denial as council plans to rend more of city’s fabric from its roots. Read the full report here.
Second undervalue sale of Clifton Hill sports centre site after buyback loss leaves city with £3m less than initial market value
Council sold land for £2.14m – at £2.11m discount – then bought it back for £3.037m before selling again for £3.375m at £425,000 discount with £225,000 sweetener after also agreeing to spend net £600,000 on preparation, marketing and disposal costs. Read more.
