Problems on the

Tamar Bridge...

THE lengthy works on the strengthening and widening of the Tamar Bridge are now 53 days behind schedule and almost £2million over budget.

The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee is asking both Cornwall and Plymouth City Councils to cover the deficit, leading to fears of an increase in toll charges. However, committee chairman, Mike Gillbard (Liskeard), has said there are no plans for such an action.

It is believed the delays in the work have been caused by problems erecting the cantilevers and decks around the bridge towers. Poor weather, including high winds, making the manoeuvre of heavy machinery dangerous, had also been a contributing factor.

...and in the

Saltash tunnel

TRAFFIC diversions to be put into place during major renovations on the Saltash tunnel, believed to be starting sometime in 2002, has been causing consternation in the town

Residents, especially those in the New Road area, which will bear the brunt of the expected traffic chaos, are particularly concerned. There is also anger from residents who claim that engineers did not heed their warnings more than 20 years ago when the Saltash bypass and tunnel were being planned.

Woman hurt

in Looe hotel

POLICE were called to an East Looe hotel at 9pm on Wednesday night where a 50 year old Plympton woman had been the victim of a serious assault. She was taken by ambulance to Derriford Hospital suffering with fractures to her skull and eye injuries. A man has been arrested and taken to Charles Cross Police Station, Plymouth, for questioning.

Your chance on

TV gameshow

THE BBC is launching a brand new Saturday night game show on BBC 1 and are looking for lively confident contestants who will go all out to win.

'Dog Eat Dog' will appear on prime time television and will involve six contestants battling it out for a life-changing prize by taking part in various challenges. Auditions are being held within the next couple of weeks. Anyone interested should contact 020 8576 9901.

Out of work rate

UNEMPLOYMENT in the Plymouth travel to work area, which includes Liskeard, currently stands at 3.5% compared with a national claimant count rate of 3.6% - said by the government to be the lowest since l975.

The claimant count rate for Cornwall as a whole is 3.9%, there being 8,515 in the county who are out of work and claiming benefit. A total of 5,770 are currently seeking employment in the Plymouth travel to work area, with the national claimant count being l.04 million. (Looking for a job? – plenty of vacancies inside this issue.)