BBC Local Live: Devon & Cornwall on Monday 4 December 2017

Summary

Ambulance service suffers computer failure
MP investigated by expenses watchdog
Motorcyclist dies from crash injuries
'Serial arsonist' appeal prompts public response
Mental health care for new mums questioned
Paignton house fire 'started deliberately'
Plans for new Royal Clarence Hotel considered
Tractor rescues stranded car from Newquay beach
Updates on Monday 4 December 2017

Live Reporting

Plans for new Royal Clarence Hotel consideredpublished at 09:03 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
BBC Spotlight
Image source, EPA
Pans to rebuild the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter will go before the city's planning committee later.
The hotel - thought to be one of the oldest in England - partially collapsed after a huge fire in October 2016 caused catastrophic damage to the historic buildings.
Some concerns have been raised about the increased height of the new hotel but planning officers are recommending councillors approve the proposals. , external
Engagement joy after man (literally) falls for girlfriend!published at 08:48 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
Amy Gladwell
BBC News Online
A Bristol couple are celebrating their engagement after the man didn't let a fall and a broken ankle stop him from popping the question.
John Dardis had planned a romantic proposal for girlfriend Suzannah Newham, while they were enjoying a weekend in Cornwall.
His plans were nearly scuppered when he fell and broke his ankle while the couple were walking on the coast path near Newquay - but he popped the question anyway, while waiting for emergency services.
Image source, Newquay Coastguard
Regie Butler from Newquay Coastguard rescue officer's quipped: "He literally fell for her."
"Even though he was in some pain, he decided to go ahead with a romantic proposal overlooking the sea, rather than from a hospital bed... I think the euphoria of Suzannah saying yes helped overcome the pain."
Motorcyclist dies from crash injuriespublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
Lynne French
BBC News Online
A motorcyclist injured in a three-vehicle crash near Truro on Friday has died.
The 53-year-old was travelling out of Tregony on his Yamaha bike when it collided with a Land Rover, which was then in collision with an Audi.
He was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, but later died as a result of his injuries.
Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact police.
Mental health care for new mums questionedpublished at 08:15 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
Shelley Phelps
BBC reporter
New mums suffering postnatal depression and other serious mental illnesses are having to travel hundreds of miles to access inpatient treatment with their babies, it has been revealed.
BBC Freedom of Information requests show one in five women travelled more than 50 miles and one in 20 travelled more than 100 miles.
One mother from Cornwall, who was sent to a mother and baby unit in Bristol, said the distance made it hard for visitors and put an additional strain on family finances.
"My mum came as often as she could, but she had to get the bus, so that was obviously a difficult journey to make and my husband managed to come most weekends, but he was working," she said.
The investigation coincides with the re-launch of a local service at the maternity wing at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske. , external
Empty student flats rented out as posh holiday apartmentspublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
Plymouth Herald
Empty student flats in Plymouth are being rented out to tourists as posh holiday apartments, external - at the same time as more are being built in the city, it's been revealed.
Woman, 28, talks about depressionpublished at 07:51 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
Devon Live
A 28-year-old woman has revealed how promotion at work sparked a deep depression which damaged her health, external and caused her to attempt suicide several times.
Travel update for Cornwall: Redruth roadworkspublished at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
BBC Radio Cornwall
Slow traffic on the A3047 in Redruth, with roadworks and lane closures at the Mount Ambrose roundabout.
Travel update for Devon: Bideford Long Bridge closed to trafficpublished at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
BBC Radio Devon
- In Bideford, Long Bridge is closed to traffic for resurfacing work this week. A diversion is in place, but there is still pedestrian access to the bridge
- No Teignmouth to Shaldon ferry services on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout December
Monday's weather for Devon and Cornwall: Mainly cloudy and drypublished at 07:41 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
BBC Weather
A mixture of sunny spells and cloudier intervals. Most places across Devon and Cornwall will remain dry, but a few light showers are possible across the west.
Image source, bb
Winds will remain light throughout today with a maximum temperature of 11C (52F).
Ambulance service suffers computer failurepublished at 07:14 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
The South Western Ambulance Service says its phone lines are working again and it's trying to find out what caused a major electrical fault that caused them to fail on Sunday.
The problems with the phones and computers forced the service to revert to a backup system.
On Sunday, it issued a statement asking people to only call 999 in a life threatening emergency.
In a statement on Monday, the service said it was working to reinstate the remaining computer services and to understand the cause of the failure.
News, sport, weather and travel for Mondaypublished at 07:05 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017
Lynne French
BBC News Online
Good morning from BBC Local Live. We'll be bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall today.
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