Despite assurances from Plymouth Conservatives that there would be no job losses for six months following the sale of the council run CityBus to GoAhead, redundancies were announced this week, and those employees who are facing unemployment lead those who’ve had a bad week this week in Devon.
GOOD WEEK
Laser travel: Project Exe-Press, a ‘tram-like, optically guided’ transport system is being touted in Exeter. Once up and running, information would be available about the service on the street, on the internet and mobile phones, and there would be a smart card ticketing system. The proposed service would link Exeter to new developments east of the city.
Future motorists: After hundreds of motorists were stranded on Haldon Hill, on the A38 just outside Exeter, during snowy weather for the second winter in a row, a Devon County Councillor has suggested an ecological underground heating system for the road to guard against the road being impassable in the future.
Plymouth skyline: A 31-storey tower block will be the centrepiece of a new development at Derry’s Cross, Plymouth. Called the Oceanique scheme, it will include two hotels, student accommodation and shops.
South Devon steam trains: The South Devon steam railway has announced record-breaking figures for 2009, with 107,985 passengers carried by the volunteer-run River Dart line, with popping the question becoming increasingly popular.
BAD WEEK
Former CityBus employees: Despite claims by Plymouth Conservatives that there would be no job losses for at least six months following the sale of Plymouth CityBus, new owner Go-Ahead announced 14 redundancies.
Exeter finances: The city council is facing tough decisions to make £1 million saving in their budgets. Although pledging support for the city’s four arts festivals, leader of the council, Cllr Adrian Fullam said that after saving £2.5 million by cutting waste this year, the hunt from a further £1 million has become tougher.
Abandoned moggies: Two cats who were abandoned during the freezing weather in a cardboard box outside a vets in Exeter. A note along with £50 was left with the cats, but leaving the cats could not be condoned said Margaret Cooksey, chairman of volunteers for the Exeter branch of Cats Protection. “All the owner needed to do was phone us at Cats Protection and we would have taken them in,” she said.
Nigel Mansell: News was released that former Formula 1 champ Nigel Mansell’s private jet was damaged by the Flybe plane at Exeter Airport on December 14. Nigel uses the airport to travel between his home in Jersey and his business interests in Devon
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