More vehicles
cross on ferry
TOLLED traffic volume on the Torpoint ferry for the year ending 28 February 2001 was 1,103,507 vehicles which was 2.5% more than in the previous 12 months. Revenue was £686,505 which was 6.7% higher than the year ending 29 February 2000.
Traffic volume on the Tamar Bridge for the same period this year was 6,776,745 vehicles, 0.96% down on the previous 12 months. Revenue was £4,785,028. Lane closures between l December 2000 and 28 February 2001 totalled 610 lane hours, representing 9.3% of 'lost facility' to the public.
Cheap travel
from June l
HALF price bus travel for pensioners, and the disabled, who are resident in Cornwall, will come into force from June 1.
Those wishing to take part in the scheme should pick up a leaflet, and application form, from post offices and libraries. The concessionary scheme is operated by a partnership between Caradon, Carrick, North Cornwall, Penwith and Restormel councils, and is administered by Cornwall county council.
Warning not to
harass dolphins
SEAQUEST South West, the Cornwall and Devon Wildlife Trusts' marine wildlife recording project, has received dozens of reports of sightings of dolphins and seals.
However, they are concerned that some of these are being harried by leisure boats, some motoring right over the top of them. The Trusts have stressed careless small boat users have been seen to harass marine mammals and sharks, often to the point of injuring them and sometimes even killing them. Jenny Glanville, marine survey officer, said: 'Driving a boat in this way can have the same effect as driving a car at a herd of horses on Dartmoor, and people wouldn't dream of doing that.'
Centre saved
from closure
THE outdoor adventure centre for the disabled - Churchtown Farm, based at Lanlivery - has been saved from closure.
There were fears the centre, which has won international renown, would have to shut its doors after the charity Scope announced it no longer could afford to fund it. However, the complex is now to be managed by the national charity, the Winged Fellowship Trust. An appeal, begun in hopes of keeping the centre open, has been boosted by hundreds of thousands of pounds. The appeal was run by the Friends of Churchtown, and a bid by them to purchase the centre will be discussed by Scope later this summer.
First time voters
YOUNG first time voters in the South East Cornwall constituency have this week been the campaign targets of three of the General Election candidates, who were invited together to address 6th Form students at Callington and Saltash Community Colleges. Sitting MP Colin Breed (Lib Dem), Conservative Ashley Gray and Labour's Bill Stevens, took turns to address students individually and take part in question and answer sessions.
For election round up see page 7.