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Impacts and Use of Devon’s Bus Network
PLEASE RESPOND DIRECTLY, AS BELOW, IF INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING
Dear Parish Council Clerk,
I hope this email finds you well in spite of the current circumstances.
I am a Graduate Trainee Transport Planner at Devon County Council, and am being sponsored to undertake a part-time degree in Transportation Planning and Engineering at the University of Southampton. As part of this degree, I am producing a dissertation examining the impacts of Devon’s bus network, including removing barriers to employment, reducing congestion and pollution, and improving physical and mental health (by, for instance, reducing social isolation and providing transport for outdoor leisure trips).
I was therefore wondering if you would be able to circulate a survey I am using to collect data on why people use Devon’s bus network, what they would do if the buses were unavailable, and what impacts buses have on users (https://www.isurvey.soton.ac.uk/37229). Clearly, bus patronage levels are significantly reduced at present, but I would like respondents to focus on how they have used buses in ‘normal’ (i.e. pre-COVID) times. This is based on the assumption that the recent changes in travel patterns are likely to be temporary in nature, and so pre-COVID passenger data is likely to be a more robust basis for appraising the typical costs and benefits of the services, although I have included a section asking respondents whether they expect to make long-lasting changes to their use of bus services, to test this assumption.
I am also looking to conduct online interviews with bus users, to discuss some of the impacts in greater depth. If you have any contacts who would be interested in taking part in an interview, can you please ask them to send an email to my university email address (cgbb1e18@soton.ac.uk), so we can arrange a time and date. I have attached an information sheet for interview participants, which gives greater detail on the purpose of the research, the benefits and risks to participating, and how interview participants’ data will be used (similar information as provided at the start of the online survey).
If you would like any additional information regarding my research, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you in advance for your assistance,
Chris Burridge-Barney MPhys (Hons)
Graduate Trainee Transport Planner
Planning Transportation & Environment
Devon County Council
County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter
EX2 4QD
Calling All Kids!
15 June 2020
South Hams District Council is consulting on new play equipment for three play areas in the District, and would like to hear from the people who use it most.
The play equipment at Westonfields and Collapark in Totnes, and at Ermington near Ivybridge, is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Before asking play companies to come up with designs, however, the Council wants to know what its smaller residents would most like to see.
Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing at South Hams District Council, said: “Physical activity in young children is absolutely vital – studies have shown that being physically active can support brain development and help develop social skills and emotional wellbeing, as well as the obvious benefits of improving fitness and muscle development. So that’s why it’s important that we get these play areas right.
“Much more importantly though, we want to get the play areas perfect for the children because it’s fun.”
As well as the new play equipment, the Council plan to replace seating and picnic tables, install new bins and where required, replace surfacing and fencing depending on the outcome of the consultation.
The consultation also covers natural enhancements to the areas, and asks what, if any, planting should be considered.
Cllr Hawkins continued: “One suggestion has been that we could look at having some fruit trees near the play areas, not only for the aesthetic value, but also because it’s a great way to get kids to eat fruit.”
The consultation will run for four weeks from the 17 June to the 19 July. You can read more and complete the survey at www.southhams.gov.uk/playareas.
The work to replace the play equipment will be carried out over the winter of 2020 to 2021.
Toolkit Available to Support Older People from Violence
Issued: 12 June 2020
A toolkit to help raise awareness about violence in older people’s relationships, has been launched in time for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Monday 15 June.
The Toolkit has been developed by the South Devon Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum (SVDVA), because they know that older people, 50 and above, who are not in happy and healthy relationships can find it difficult to find support.
The ability to recognise the signs of abuse and to be aware of options available are some of the key aspects of the toolkit, which will improve safety and personal wellbeing.
It is important to remember that relationships are not always between couples. Domestic abuse can happen within any family dynamic, regardless of age or gender.
Instances of abuse are very varied. It could be someone is controlling life decisions or causing physical, emotional, sexual, financial or psychological harm in some way, but it is never too late to seek support to be safe and happy. There are always options and choices.
Cllr Tom Holway, South Hams District Council’s Member for the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership, said: “The Forum saw that there was a need to create the Later in Life Toolkit due to the rising number of people over 50 asking for support. This resource can really help change and improve lives.
“We urge those people who are experiencing distress to use the toolkit to find out how they can break the cycle and enjoy healthier relationships in the future.”
Cllr Robin Musgrave, West Devon Borough Council’s Member for the Community Safety Partnership, said: “By working in partnership with other agencies, the Forum have used their expertise to develop a resource that we are proud to share across the county.
“Whether your situation is due to changes in health or has always been this way, everyone has the right to be safe in their own home.”
Alison Cockram, Team Manager for Splitz Support Service and co-chair of the South Devon SVDVA Forum, said: “This toolkit was specifically designed to reach those later in life that find it difficult to access support to keep themselves safe. These situations can be made more difficult by Devon’s rurality. More recently, further isolation has affected many due to the COVID 19 restrictions.
“We would urge anyone who is feeling unsafe, whether due to a partner or other family member, to seek support. If this is particularly difficult then ask anyone that you trust to seek support on your behalf.”
The toolkit is available to download from the Splitz website: www.splitz.org/resources/talk-toolkits.html
If you are being abused, or if you have any concerns that an older person you know may be at risk of, or experiencing abuse, Police have dedicated domestic abuse officers who will help and advise you. Call 101 for help and guidance or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, if you do not wish to report to the police, you may wish to contact Victim Support directly. Call your local Victim Support Team in Devon and Cornwall on 0300 303 0554. Lines are open 12pm-6pm Monday to Friday.
For more information on the UN’s World Elder Abuse Day, go to: www.un.org/en/observances/elder-abuse-awareness-day/
ENDS
Cr-048151-20 Stolen Rib Boat – Kingsbridge
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information in connection with a report of theft of a boat from the area of Tidal Road, Aveton Giffon, Kingsbridge.
This took place sometime between Sunday 14 and Monday 15 June 2020.
A Honway T40 4 meter rib boat was stolen, along with a 30HP outboard engine, 2 x paddles and anchor.
If you have any information or have any CCTV in the area please phone 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime CR/048151/20.
Thank you.
HOUSEHOLD LOCATION MAPS
As part of the Bigbury Coronavirus Support Group activities, maps have been prepared to show the location of all households within the parish, covering the areas of StAnn’s Chapel, Challaborough, Bigbury-on-Sea, Bigbury Village and northern parts of the parish (through Easton to Combe, etc.). These maps can be found in the DOCUMENTS section of the NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN group: >NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN>DOCUMENTS> CATEGORY>MAPS > select relevant file.
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