Police target speeding drivers

Police in South East Cornwall have started targeting urban areas in a bid to slow down motorists.

Operation Slowdown began in speed restricted areas in the middle of this week, and was due to run for eight days at a number of secret locations.

Those motorists caught exceeding speed limits will be stopped, and given the choice of being fined £40 with three penalty points, or watching a video about the consequences of speeding.

Sandra Gillespie, Cornwall's road safety officer, said 66 per cent of fatal accidents were due to drivers speeding. She said at 50mph the chance of any child surviving a collision is remote, but the chances of survival heighten as the speed involved lowers.

Inspector Ian Steed said the police were making every effort to influence drivers' attitudes to speeding.

Fractured gas main means no school

Callington Primary School was closed on Wednesday April 5 as a result of building contractors, Tricord - who are currently carrying out works at the school - accidentally fracturing a gas main. This led to the gas supply to the school being cut off.

As a combined result of no heating and cold weather, pupils were sent home, although teachers stayed at the school during the day.

The problem was rectified during the day and the school is now open as normal.

Mast plan for a Saltash site

Caradon councillors were due yesterday afternoon (Thursday) to consider an application for a One 2 One mobile phone mast with three polar antennae and two microwave dishes at a site at Saltash.

The application was for the installation of the 15 metre mast in the corner of an agricultural field at Tor Hendra, St Stephens. It is intended to provide coverage to Latchbrook, Burraton Coombe and St Stephens. Planning permission is required as the site is within the Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty.

Lifeboat crews need your help

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution Rame Peninsula Branch needs volunteers to undertake house to house collections during the RNLI's Flag Week from May 1 - 6, particularly in the Torpoint area.

It costs over £82 million per year to allow the lifeboat service to perform their selfless tasks in saving lives at sea.

Anyone who could spare just a little time to collect in their own road, please contact Vivian Lockwood on 01579 348500.

Mayor for a second time

Paul Caswell has been elected to serve as mayor of Fowey for a second year running.

Norman Mason was re-elected unopposed as deputy mayor. The mayor making ceremony is to take place on May 10, with the civic service on May 14.