18 December 2023

Despite best laid plans to trial a two-float service for the entire festive period, Dartmouth Lower Ferry will now unfortunately have to reduce to one float for the last few days over New Year. This will happen from Thursday 28 December and continue for five weeks.

This is due to the Higher Ferry’s own maintenance period needing to be juggled with the essential maintenance of the Lower Ferry’s Tom Casey float. Both Higher and Lower ferries work together to ensure there is enough capacity to support communities crossing the River Dart at all times.

The Christmas double running as promised does continue at all other times.

Dartmouth Lower Ferry’s two-float service will begin again on Monday 5 February 2024.

The reduction in service also means the Lower Ferry can fully support Maritime Coastguard safety inspections. These essential inspections on each of the tugs and floats make sure they are first and foremost safe and fit for all passengers, but also that the annual passenger certificate continues.

The new single and double ferry timetable will be as follows, so please make a note:

Double ferry running

Monday 11 December – Wednesday 27 December

Single ferry running

Thursday 28 December to Sunday 4 February

Double ferry running

Monday 5 February onwards

South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Community Services; Operations and Leisure, Cllr Victor Abbott, said: “While we are disappointed to not be able to complete the trial for the New Year part of the festive period, we’re pleased that we can continue to offer double running still over the important Christmas and Boxing Day when family and friends are more likely to gather. Our team will be working as quickly as possible over the New Year to make sure your celebrations are not slowed down by the single running ferry.

"This essential maintenance will mean we can continue to offer a smooth-running service in the new year, as well as support with the demand when the Higher Ferry enters its own maintenance period.”

Local Dartmouth District Ward councillors, Cllrs Jonathan Hawkins, Ben Cooper and Ged Yardy, all agree: “We are very lucky to have such a hard-working team that always make sure that our ferry service runs efficiently and professionally in all weathers, and we thank them for their dedication and support.”

For more information on the ferry, please visit:

www.southhams.gov.uk/dartmouth-lower-ferry

ENDS

Issued: 14 December 2023

Following a Full Council meeting today, Thursday 14 December, South Hams District Council discussed recommendations from the Task and Finish Group on the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport.

Following a lively and robust discussion for and against the recommendations, which can be viewed in full on South Hams District Council’s YouTube channel, it was agreed to support the 17 recommendations proposed.

South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development, Commercial Strategy and Governance, Councillor John Birch, said: “The Task and Finish group have made some sensible suggestions which the Council have endorsed.  We can now get on with the business in hand, which is to make the most of the Freeport for the residents and businesses of South Hams.”

The Audit and Governance Committee’s Task and Finish Group report, detailing all of the 17 recommendations, can be found at: www.southhams.gov.uk/fullcouncil Follow the links to the correct meeting and date and the public report pack.

The meeting can be viewed in full on South Hams District Council’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@SouthHamsCouncil

Further information about the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport can be found at www.southhams.gov.uk/freeport

Issued: 27 November 2023

Lower income households could save between £220 and £400 a year on energy bills with the support of South Hams District Council.

The Council is helping households across the District improve the energy efficiency of their home and is encouraging residents to check whether they are eligible for an upgrade to their current heating systems and insulation.

The Council have been awarded £1.8 million of funding by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to improve the energy efficiency of 100 homes across South Hams by March 2025. The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) project is being delivered in partnership with South Dartmoor Community Energy.

National Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is on Thursday 30 November. It’s been two years since the energy crisis first began with 6.3 million UK households currently in fuel poverty.

The improvements will help lower income households whose homes are in most need of upgrading. They will also help address climate change issues, one of the Council’s top priorities.

Residents who can benefit will have a combined gross household income of less than £31k each year, and are also living in the most poorly performing properties as measured by their Energy Performance (EPC) (D-G properties): and are not heated from the gas grid.

Eligible residents will benefit from a solution for the whole home. This would start with improving the fabric of the home first – increasing insulation, such as exterior wall, cavity wall or loft, and then low-carbon heating such as heat pumps.  Homes will be surveyed, and improvements will be designed specifically for each property’s needs.

Those living in private rented properties can also benefit from the scheme.  Landlords could receive up to two-thirds of the costs of improvements if their properties (EPC) and their tenants (gross annual household income) are eligible.

The council is working with South Dartmoor Community Energy who will be providing retrofit support services. This includes helping identify eligible applicants and supporting them through the process.

Households who think they may be eligible for the scheme can find out more at www.southhams.gov.uk/hug2

Councillor Denise O’Callaghan, Exec Member for Housing at South Hams District Council, said: "We are really pleased to share details of the HUG2 scheme and how it will help our residents across the District. This is a very important programme of work which will see the implementation of efficient and clean energy solutions to many people’s homes.

“One of our top priorities is acting in response to climate change: this project will help us on our journey to a greener South Hams, but we recognise that with one in five local households in fuel poverty we need to do much more.

“We will continue to lobby the Government for more funding to support our residents struggling with their energy bills.

“In the meantime we look forward to continuing our partnership with South Dartmoor Community energy to deliver these essential home improvements to those who need them most.”

Chris Bunce, Home Energy & Retrofit Advisor at South Dartmoor Community Energy said: “We are delighted to be involved in such an exciting scheme. With 1 in 5 UK households in fuel poverty, those living in draughty and inefficient homes have been greatly affected by the rising cost of energy. We’re pleased to be able to help 100 low-income households in the South Hams to lower their bills and lower the environmental impact of their homes.

“UK homes emit more carbon per year than our cars do, so retrofitting inefficient homes is crucial in tackling global warming.”

ENDS