Local news round-up

Bridge closures

The planned closure of the Tamar bridge for several eight hour periods during September has been cancelled to avoid disrupting late summer traffic.

Instead the bridge will be closed for three overnight periods in October - from 10pm on the Saturday night until 6am on Sundays on October 2 and 3, 9 and 10 and 16 and 17.

Traffic will be diverted via the A30 at Exeter and Bodmin and local traffic will be diverted via Gunnislake and Torpoint, the latter having an increased ferry service in operation which will be free of charge.

Dates for two further periods of bridge closures expected before Christmas will be confirmed later, with a minimum of two months notice given of these dates.

Broken windows

A trail of broken windows followed a night of vandalism in Liskeard on Sunday with several shopfronts in the town centre being targeted and thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.

See Liskeard page for story and pictures.

Valley fatality

MP Colin Breed has called for urgent action to be taken to improve safety along the Glyn Valley stretch of the A38 following three serious traffic accidents during the past month including a fatal last Friday.

The latest accident claimed the life of 28-year old Spencer Chapman, from Penryn, who works at Devonport naval base. His Suzuki 600cc motorbike was involved in an accident with an Iveco articulated lorry and a Leyland heavy goods vehicle.

Parking clampdown

Police in South East Cornwall are to get tougher on parking along the cliff roads during the summer, following increasing congestion during the recent hot weather.

Most affected has been Military Road, along the top of Whitsand Bay.

Last year, lifeguards and other emergency services were called to 138 incidents, hence the importance of keeping the road clear, says pc Pat Libby, who points out that there is a £20 fine for parking on the roadway.

Town lottery idea

Looe councillors have voted to listen to a presentation over the idea to introduce a town lottery which could raise thousands of pounds a year for various projects.

Only one councillor, Mr Roy Perriment, was against the idea and he felt it would harm Looe's image as a charitable place.

Shed blaze

Fire Crews were called to put out a blaze in a shed in Torpoint at about 3.30am on Sunday morning. The six foot square building was severely damaged.

Amazon link

School children in Caradon are linking up with pupils in Peru via youth organisation Rescue Mission Planet Earth.

Millbrook, Callington and Upton Cross Primary Schools are preparing information packs about their lives and Callington Community College Green Matters Team has been exchanging photographs and sending E-mails.