Festive Bus Service for First Buses

PRESS INFORMATION
From First in Devon and Cornwall
Issued 17 December 2012

Festive Bus Services in Devon & Cornwall

To help bus users plan their journeys by bus over the festive period First has published its Christmas and New Year bus timetable alterations for Devon & Cornwall.

Coming into effect on Sunday 24 December and ending on Saturday 5 January, the festive timetable is intended to reflect changes in demand for public transport during the holiday season.

Over the period buses will operate to special holiday schedules, the details of which, including the opening hours of the company’s customer services phone line, have been available on First’s local website since the 20 November. Posters informing customers of the festive services have also featured on buses and timetable leaflets have been available in Travel Shops around the region since the 10 December.

Talking about the festive holiday services that First will be operating, Regional Commercial and Business Growth Director for First in the South West and Wales, Marc Reddy, says, “During the Christmas period our customers’ travelling habits often change; they may take days off work and therefore travel less than they normally would, make extra trips to the supermarket or shopping centres, or spend time visiting relatives and friends. To ensure good provision of services our network planners have made amendments to our timetables over the festive season, to best match our resources with the expected public demand.

“The holidays are a great opportunity to explore the South West and some of the area’s family friendly tourist attractions. We hope that many people will take advantage of the services that will be operating over the Christmas and New Year’s break, to take trips out and about with First.”

For more information about First in Devon & Cornwall, or to view timetable information log onto, www.firstgroup.com/Devon or www.firstgroup.com/Cornwall. Those wanting independent travel information in the UK can also call Traveline on, 0871 200 22 33, or visit www.travelinesw.com.

First Devon & Cornwall has a Twitter account that customers can follow for real time service updates. It can be found at www.twitter.com/FirstBus_Devon. The company is also on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/FirstinDevonandCornwall.

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Two applications this week

Dear All,   A further two applications this week, please let me have you comments on 01503 264823 or atoms@cornwall.gov.uk

Thanks Armand

Looe (Looe East Electoral Division)

Tor View Barbican Hill Looe Cornwall PL13 1DZ

Alterations to first floor fenestration on South West elevation. -

Mr And Mrs Michael Williams - PA12/10924 (Case Officer -

Sarah Stevens)

Looe (Looe East Electoral Division)

The Bourne Plaidy Looe PL13 1LF

Proposed extension and balcony to bedroom 1, and alterations

to dormers. - Mr Stephen Edwards - PA12/11330 (Case

Officer - Sarah Stevens)

DONT HAVE A RUBBISH CHRISTMAS

Don’t have a rubbish Christmas 14 November 2012   Christmas rubbish and recycling collections will be collected every day as normal throughout the Christmas and New Year period, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. There will be no rubbish or clinical waste collections on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. This will be collected on the following week (Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 January). All recycling and garden waste collections that fall on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day will be collected on Saturday 29 December.   Christmas tree composting From Monday 14 - Friday 25 January there will be a free collection service for real Christmas trees. Residents should place the tree out for collection on the rubbish collection day on the alternate week to your recycling collection. The trees will be collected separately, shredded and composted. Residents do not need to subscribe to the garden waste service for this.   Christmas cards and envelopes Christmas cards can go in the kerbside recycling collection; they should be placed in the sack for cardboard. White envelopes should go into paper sack, coloured or brown envelopes should go with the cardboard.   Wrapping paper Most Christmas wrapping paper can be recycled, although we cannot accept paper coated with foil or plastic.  All non shiny paper can go in the paper sack.   Cardboard Cardboard boxes should be flattened and put into the cardboard recycling sack. Big pieces of cardboard or large amounts can be flattened and bundled together and put out next to the recycling, or taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).   Chocolate and biscuit tins You can put empty metal chocolate and biscuit tins into the sack for plastic bottles and cans. We cannot recycle plastic biscuit containers.   Additional recycling Extra recycling that does not fit in your containers can be put it into carrier bags and put out with the rest of your items to be recycled. Please be extra careful with glass and put it in a rigid or sturdy box. Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Christmas opening hours The HWRC sites will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The normal site opening times are 9am to 4pm.

Cornwall Council issues further update on flooding

update on potential flooding  - 13 December 2012

Dear all

The latest information from the MET office and the Environment Agency suggests that a band of rain is due to affect West Cornwall around 3am tomorrow (Friday morning).  This will then work across the whole of Cornwall until around 8am, producing up to 20 mm of rain during the period, some of which will be heavy.  This will be combined with strong South Easterly winds overnight tonight and into tomorrow.  As this rain will be falling on areas where the ground is already saturated, this could produce problems on some roads with standing water and potential localised flooding.

At the same time we will be experiencing high spring tides which, combined with the strong winds and rainfall, could result in a surge of around ½ metre on the expected tidal levels.  High tide is expected around 5am in Penzance, 5.29am in Falmouth and around 6am in Cawsand.  This could generate coastal flooding in areas with a history of flooding, such as Penzance and Newlyn, Flushing and St Gluvias, Mevagissey, Looe and Polperro.   There could also be issues with the A390 at Tresillian and the A39 at the Norway Inn.

As the worst of the weather is due to leave Cornwall by 8am, we hope that this will minimise potential disruption during the main commuter period.

The EA have already issued flood alerts for both the North and South coast, and a flood warning for the South West coast.   

Although the heavy rainfall will move away from late morning on Friday, there will be more showers on Saturday and Sunday, some of which could be heavy with hail and thunder.  There will also be continuing strong winds and high tides which could create more problems with coastal flooding over the weekend.  There could also be problems with people going to view the large waves that are predicted.  Other agencies will be issuing messages warning people of the potential danger of storm watching in coastal areas.    

All the agencies are monitoring the situation closely and are on stand by to respond at short notice if required.  No decision has yet been made to open the emergency centre but Council staff are on stand by to set this up within 20 minutes if necessary.  

Both the Council and the EA have sent out messages via the media and on their websites encouraging members of the public to take preparations if they live in areas which are vulnerable to flooding.  This includes obtaining sandbags and making sure that they check that vulnerable neighbours have support if required. It would be very helpful if you could help spread these messages in your local community.

We will be continuing to monitor the conditions and will send out further updates if the situation changes.  

Kind regards

David Wood (Duty Director)

BAD WEATHER WARNING

Dear All,  I have recieved the weather warning below, with spring tides (high), strong winds and heavy rain please prepare, let me know if you have a problem ?    As usual 01503 264823 or atoms@cornwall.gov.uk   Regards Armand

Residents warned to be prepared for heavy rain and strong winds 12 December 2012   Following Met Office warnings of a combination of strong winds, heavy rain and high tides affecting the South West later this week, Cornwall Council are asking residents to be prepared and take precautions where necessary. Warnings have been given for heavy rain and strong winds on Thursday, 13 December, Friday, 14 December and Saturday, 15 December.  As this wet weather is coming at the same time as high tides, there are concerns that some parts of Cornwall could be affected by localised flooding. Officers from Cornwall Council’s Highways, Environment, Fire and Rescue and Emergency Management services are monitoring the situation closely and are on standby to deal with any problems. During last month’s flooding a number of householders reported difficulties in obtaining sandbags when the severe weather affected their local area. As neither the Council nor the Environment Agency has a statutory duty to provide sandbags, anyone whose property is prone to flooding should ensure they have a supply of sandbags ready to protect their home or business should they need to.  Local communities are also encouraged to check with vulnerable neighbours in case they need help with obtaining flood protection materials. Sandbags can be obtained from builders merchants, DIY and hardware stores. Anyone who is unsure if their property is at risk can check on the environment agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the floodline on 0845 988 1188. Anyone with responsibility for community Christmas lights and decorations should ensure they are properly secured against strong winds and consider turning off Christmas lights if the weather deteriorates.  We would also advise checking for any damp or damage before turning them back on. Any problems should be dealt with by a qualified electrician.   For further advice on preparing for flooding visit the environment agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk or the Cornwall Council website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/flooding

Tesco's Planning Application

Dear All,  Just a quick note to say that the Tesco's Planning application has been removed from tomorrows Strategic Planning Committee agenda as there has been a request for more information.   Not sure what that is but it will now be heard in January.      Regards Armand

More planning applications

Dear All,  Please see the applications below any comments to 01503 264823 or atoms@cornwall.gov.uk  Regards Armand

Looe

(Looe East Electoral Division)

Station Road Looe Cornwall PL13 1HA

A new control cabinet with protective vehicle bollards to house

electrical control and communications for an adjacent (below

ground) automated sewage screen. - Mr Steve Cross -

PA12/10456 (Case Officer - Julie Mitchell)

Looe

(Looe East Electoral Division)

The Grapevine Fore Street East Looe Looe Cornwall PL13

1AE

Recovering of roof with new natural slates within conservation

area. - Mr T Bray -

PA12/10829 (Case Officer - SarahStevens)