North Devon Council is launching a campaign to raise awareness amongst residents and businesses about activities that are considered flytipping, even when carried out unwittingly. Putting bins out early, placing domestic or trade waste in public litter bins and dumping waste in another person’s bin, can all amount to acts of flytipping. These often unintentional acts of flytipping are called ‘slytipping’ by the council. Slytipping incorporates activities that residents and businesses may think are acceptable, but in the eyes of the law are not. It includes:*presenting additional waste, known as side waste, next to your usual black bin collection (unless advised by the council in advance that it will be permitted as an exception)*early or late presentation of black bins or recycling*dumping waste in someone else’s bin*dumping domestic or trade waste in public litter bins*dumping trade waste as domestic waste *dumping waste in a collection point that is not your own Flytipping is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted at a Magistrates’ Court. If the offence goes onto the Crown Court and leads to a conviction, it can attract an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment. More information about flytipping including what is is, what penalties it carries and how to avoid common mistakes is available at www.northdevon.gov.uk/flytipping. Cases of suspected flytipping can be reported to the council online: northdevon.gov.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Residents in Ilfracombe are being reminded to treat their community and environment with respect – or expect to receive a fine. Two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) have been introduced with the aim of eliminating nuisance behaviours and improving standards for the benefit of the community. A breach of the PSPOs could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or, if it goes unpaid, court proceedings.The first of the PSPOs deals with antisocial behaviour in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe and targets nuisance behaviours such as street drinking, drug use, public urination and aggressive begging (using intimidating language or actions, or begging within five metres of a pay point or cash machine). The PSPO expands on restrictions already in place, which aim to prevent nuisance alcohol misuse, to include other conduct that has a detrimental effect on the local community.A second PSPO targets the actions of a minority of dog owners who fail to pick up dog waste and allow their pets to run out of control, whilst still providing open spaces where owners can freely exercise their dogs. The measures include requirements for:* owners to pick up after their dog* owners to place any out of control dog on a lead if requested* dogs to be on a lead in a public cemetery* dogs not to be present on any sports pitch or enclosed children’s play area* between 1 October and 31 March, dogs not to be present on or near land used as a High Tide Resting Site* between 1 May and 30 September, dogs not to be present on Croyde or Combe Martin beaches* dogs to be on a lead in certain locations in Braunton Burrows at certain times of yearBoth PSPOs have been designed with the aim of enabling the council to manage antisocial behaviour more proactively. A breach of either PSPO could result in the issue of a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice and failure to pay the penalty could result in court proceedings and a fine of up to £1000. Lead Member for Environment, Councillor Netti Pearson says: “The vast majority of us cherish our beautiful district and want to live in it peacefully, respecting our community and natural environment. For the minority who feel differently, we hope these measures show that antisocial and irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.”More details for dog owners can be found at northdevon.gov.uk/environment/dogs-in-north-devon. Full details on all PSPOs in place across the district…

Government funding has been confirmed for a £2.2 million road safety scheme on one of Devon’s most dangerous roads. The A3123, which connects the North Devon Link Road to Woolacombe and Ilfracombe, was identified back in 2016 as one of the 50 most dangerous A roads in the country. Devon County Council introduced a series of safety measures at Berry Down Cross and Hore Down Gate on the A3123 in North Devon last year – including a 40mph speed limit, new advance warning signs, solar-powered road studs, and high friction surfacing. But it has now been confirmed that Safer Roads Funding has been received from the Department for Transport, and so the design can be finalised on the remaining elementsof the improvements earmarked for the road at the other known collision cluster site on the route – Lynton Cross. As part of the improvement scheme, a four-arm rural roundabout will be constructed at Lynton Cross, and works will also be carried out to the centre white lines along the entire A3123 to bring them in line with current standards. Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council cabinet member for infrastructure and development and county councillor for Combe Martin Rural, who had been campaigning for the improvements for 16 years, said: “Proposals to improve the Lynton Cross junction have been an aspiration of Devon County Council for some time, so I welcome the approval of funding from the Department for Transport. The development of the roundabout and the other upgrades on the A3123 will make the road much safer for everyone. This will improve safety at the junction, something we have all been very concerned about for decades. Not only will the improvements be beneficial to us as residents but it will improve the road for our visitors and businesses.”Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, said: “We’re delighted that the Department for Transport has now approved the funding for the roundabout element of the scheme which provides the last piece in the jigsaw for the delivery of these improvements. This initiative will help reduce serious injury collisions, supporting the ‘Vision Zero’ ambition of The South West Peninsula Road Safety Partnership (SWPRSP), of which the county council is a member, as we aim for our roads to be free of fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.”There were four collisions at each of the sites (Hore Down Gate, Lynton Cross…

OK, I’ll admit this isn’t one of Combebird’s more inspirational images, but it’s the subject here that’s important. With the roadmap out of lockdown now established, April 12 will be a major date in a lot of local businesses calendars. Assuming everything goes to plan, this is the date that non-essential businesses can finally re-open – some for the first time in many, many months. I know I bang on about buying local wherever you can, but it’s never been more important than it is now. Lots of businesses won’t have made it through the pandemic and those that have are likely to be on a knife edge in terms of their survival. They’re going to need all the support they can get, so let’s help them out. Ilfracombe High Street – opening again in April! Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Two young female skippers in Ilfracombe say they are proud to be working in their dream jobs in a male-dominated industry. Sophie Braund, 20, has worked with Ilfracombe Sea Safari for six years and Amie Hannah, 17, for two years. The pair, former students of Ilfracombe Academy, have encouraged others to follow in their footsteps. Sophie passed her training last August, meaning she can now take 12 passengers out to sea to discover the seals, dolphins and scenery. Sophie, whose family say she has saltwater in her blood, said: “I grew up in the harbour as my grandad owns a boat here. I was out with him one day when Paul Hutchings, the owner of Ilfracombe Sea Safari, phoned saying he needed extra crew and asked if I could join. I did a day and never looked back.”She said that when she joined, she was the first female working in the harbour. “Nobody here ever expected me to be operating my own boats, especially with the long days we have. They thought I’d never be able to hack it. I’ve proved them wrong, and it’s been a fantastic experience, being able to see wildlife and stunning sunsets every day.”Amie is currently in the process of getting her skippers license involving powerboat courses, learning first aid, a sea survival course and logging up to 200 hours at sea both during day and night time. I always enjoyed the sea and coming down to the harbour,” she said. “I then joined the gig club here, and I’ve been with him for five years. Working here at the harbour, we find we’re the only two females who go out to sea. Normally, the female roles have been on land and in the ticket office. With Sophie gaining her license, we can now take an all-girls crew out.” Paul Hutchings, Sea Safari owner, said: “I think we’re the only company that have female skippers, and we take pride in pushing the youngsters. It’s nice to see their success. We’re always trying to expand, so it’s important to include women in that.”Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…