Local News from Tuesday, August 4th, 2026

Residents and visitors will soon see improvements to two play spaces, with work expected to start at Higher Brook Meadow in Sidford in mid-August and Phear Park in Exmouth in mid-September.

Exeter residents could be set to enjoy their best view of a solar eclipse in almost thirty years when it arrives on Wednesday 12 August.

As national attention remains focused on helping families with the cost of living, people across Devon are being reminded that the Crisis and Resilience Fund can provide targeted support when unexpected costs or a sudden loss of income put households on low income under financial pressure.

People with lived experience of adoption are being invited to help shape the future of adoption services across the South West through a new Voice & Influence Reference Group.

A rising number of budding bakers looking to prove themselves with their own small enterprise has prompted a Devon council to review its policies.

Hundreds more children in Devon could become eligible for free school meals this September following a change to Government rules.

South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex (NR Wessex) have launched a major crackdown on ‘short-faring’ - where customers deliberately buy a ticket only for part of their journey instead of paying the correct fare for the full distance travelled – after identifying widespread misuse of barcode tickets and e-tickets by customers deliberately avoiding paying the correct fare.

A derelict Grade II listed building in Dawlish could finally return to use after Teignbridge District Council granted planning permission for its restoration and conversion into seven homes.

Plans have been submitted for 29 homes on a parcel of land next to a Devon village industrial estate.