12/03/2014 Spotlight

A call to the Fire Service hn Cornwall could soon be answdred more

than 400 miles away in North Yorkshire.

Good evening. The idea has been given the go ahead

by councillors in Cornwall but tonight there's concern over

potential mistakes. There are many different tones with

the same name. So there will be confusion.

Also tonight: No rescue package from Europe ` the Government won't be

asking for financial aid from the EU to help deal with the Somerset

floods. And how the railway map of the past

could help shape the railwax map of the future.

999 calls for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service could be answered by

a control room in North Yorkshire. Cornwall Council says that the two

services will be helping each other answer calls during busy periods.

They say it'll improve the service, but some people in remote p`rts of

Cornwall believe a lack of local knowledge could lead to mistakes.

Eleanor Parkinson reports. This is the control room for the Fire

Service in Cornwall. They ddploy services wherever they are needed.

They have struck a deal with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Sdrvice,

more than 300 miles away. They point to share the control room dtring

busy periods. They say that during the recent storms, this control room

was under pressure. If you bring Cornwall, norm`lly you

will get somebody in Cornwall. But if, for any reason they can't. After

ten seconds you will automatically be diverted to North Yorkshhre and

able instantly pick it up on the screen. There screen will change to

Cornwall instead of North Yorkshire. They can then identify the need of

the nearest resource and task that resource from North Yorkshire.

But the Fire Brigade union feared a lack of local knowledge could affect

response time. These villagds have similar names. People believe

mistakes could be made. Werd about six miles from the other village and

it is spelt the same. Peopld have confused us in the past. People

often ask us for directions. I know of lots of place names which are the

same in Cornwall. There will be confusion and people will h`ve

serious problems if they ard not careful.

Cornwall Council says the two forces will be using computer technology

that will not allow this to happen. The council insists it is not a

merger, but a collaboration. Nothing is likely to happen for at least two

years because this control room must move to a new site. Then thdy must

install the computer technology to link the two counties.

The BBC has learnt the Government will not be asking Europe for a

rescue package to help deal with the floods in Somerset. A fund hs

available to help EU countrhes deal with natural disasters, but a letter

seen by BBC Spotlight says linisters believe the situation doesn't

qualify. Clinton Rogers reports When is a crisis a disaster? Ask

flood victims like this man who is still drying his house on the edge

of the Somerset Levels. I think it might cover if you any

P's expenses but all joking aside we're talking about small alounts of

money by European Union standards. It is an emergency.

That is not the way the Govdrnment sees it. We have seen this letter

from the floods minister. This shows that the Government will not be

applying for money from a Etropean fund designed to help with natural

disasters. They say it is bdcause the damage is not bad enough.

I would be happy to apply if I thought we qualified but whdn I last

looked at this, we needed to make a certain threshold.

One MP has described that as nonsense. He says the real reason

the Government is not applyhng is to spare the blushes of Euros diptych

Tories. If the European Union were to step

in and give us serious monex, in Somerset and possibly in thd Thames

Valley, it would be slightlx embarrassing. They will not be able

to say anything good about Durope. Critics point out that here in

Yorkshire they were given mhllions of pounds. There is confusion and

conflicting little messages, and this only adds to the sense of anger

for flood victims here. The Prime Minister was recently quoted as

saying that money is no objdct when it comes to helping here. The

question is, where exactly hs that money coming from?

There's a warning tonight that some of the coastal footpaths closed by

the recent storms may not rdopen. The repair bill and the cost of

re`routing stretches could run into millions of pounds. In Devon alone

the bill is estimated to be ?500,000. As our Environment

Correspondent Adrian Campbell reports, councils say they'll

struggle to find the money. Parts of this region have disappeared into

the sea over recent weeks. The stormy weather has affected a large

stretch of coastline. This lan told us that what temporary clostre has

just been reopened. Having dried out a bit now, the

council have said it is OK to open this pathway. But if they coastline

where to move again in the future, we may have to review that.

There has been one closure `nd a number of diversions. The longest

stretch affected is around six miles of footpath between Exmouth

underling Regis. There are other diversions already in place along

the south west coast path. Some are still being identified. This is

costly work for local authorities. Since January, the bill has risen by

several thousand pounds and we put quite a strong priority on to the

south west coast path, it is not just enjoyed by our residence. We

know this is a strong econolic drive for Cornwall.

The continuing challenges of coastal change are having an impact all

around our region. A local golf course has had to realign one of its

greens. This man has been playing golf Europe for 14 years and says

this winter has altered the course. We have had to move holes in mind.

`` we have had to move holes in land.

I hate that landowners `` I hope that landowners are able to work

with the authorities to keep pathways open to the public.

A Cornish MP has told the Commons that storm damage to Penzance and

the Isles of Scilly has gond "largely unnoticed" by the

Government. The Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives Andrew George s`id he's

grateful for efforts to restore the railway line at Dawlish and to help

fishermen affected by the sdvere weather. But he's called for a

meeting with ministers to fhnd a long term solution to storm

problems. This week we're looking at how the

railway maps of the past cotld shape a future inland rail line into the

region. Rail planners are considering a new route to

supplement the Dawlish line. One option is the old passenger route up

the Teign Valley. Trains to London would go north from Newton @bbot on

a freight line and then along re`laid track to join anothdr

section of freight line at Dxeter. Our business correspondent Neil

Gallacher has been investig`ting. You have probably travelled over

this old line in a car without noticing. It goes under this

motorway. It is still a really at this point. This line used to be a

passenger line going up the ten Valley towards Exeter. The line was

single`track and twisting. Ht was built in two stages. The first leg

opened in 1882. In 1903, it was taken north and east to Exeter. The

final passenger train was in 19 8. Freight trains ran for a cotple of

years longer. They are lovingly remembered, thanks to preservation

work. Flooding meant the line was shut entirely from this point up

towards Exeter in 1961. Trahns on this line, running north past these

locations, then turning east towards Exeter. In this landscape jtst

outside Exeter, I went to a wooded country estate to discover what

remains of the line today. Somewhere around here, is one of the

challenges that this track resents. An old tunnel. The steep gr`dients

meant that two tunnels were necessary, as our archive fhlm

This is the Exeter end of the reveals.

This is the Exeter end of the tunnel. Newton Abbot is the other

way. There are bats inside there. The reason they shut it off was that

there was a collapsed some were inside the tunnel, probably after a

winter much like the one we have just heard. Real experts thhnk that

reconstruction of the routes would be expensive but possible. The line

would finally be brought to this location. As you can see, there is

still a freight line here. Freight movements also happened tod`y at the

southern end of this route, were timber is shipped out from time to

time. The question is the bht in between. We did make economhc sense

to join the 15 miles of track? Some parts of the original track that

have had a motor rebuilt on top It would be of limited benefit,

other than as a diversionarx route when the dollar should is not

available. The journey time capability would be restrictive

There are severe gradients `nd it is quite herbaceous and winding. The

speeds on it would be low. H would call it a second`rate soluthon.

Perhaps not a front runner compared to the North Durham route btt it is

intriguing nonetheless. I w`s puzzled by this until I saw the 1958

film footage. There was oncd telegraph equipment right hdre.

It's been another sunny day in the region ` a full forecast to come

shortly. Also still to come: the replica

Viking boat built in Falmouth, using ancient techniques.

And a blooming marvellous dhsplay ` the magnolias at Caerhays C`stle,

which show that Spring has finally sprung.

The Government was today asked to stop the spread of wind farls.

Conservative MPs said wind turbines were being allowed to destroy the

landscape in the South West, leaving local people feeling "frustrated and

hopeless". Our Political Edhtor Martyn Oates joins us now from

Westminster. What do the MPs want the Government to do?

The MP who tabled the debatd was critical of subsidies. His debate

was about planning and he s`ys the planning system is inherently biased

in favour of wind farms. Last July, the Government introduced ndw

planning and guidance, which it promised would give local

communities more of a say. The MP said that in reality this h`s made

no difference. It has not changed the planning system. In practice, he

describes wind turbines as `n alien invasion which is continued in the

Devon countryside. The commtnities minister has said he is comlitted to

protecting the natural environment. He said that in instances where

planning inspectors were involved, since the new guidance was brought

in, more where rejected than approved. Previously, the opposite

was the case. The Government is clearly coming

into conflict with its own LPs. David Cameron said he wanted his

Government to be the greenest Government ever but it is vdry clear

that many Conservative MPs really do not like wind turbines. Thex were

described as an issue which may have political ramifications in this

area. There were emotional scenes today as

the Devonport based warship, HMS Montrose, arrived home. The Type 23

Frigate has spent the last seven months as part of a multi`n`tional

taskforce helping to remove chemical weapons from Syria. Our reporter

Johnny Rutherford was with family and friends as they welcomed their

loved ones home. Looking majestic and proud, the Devonport `b`sed HMS

Montrose returns home to a waiting crowd of 600 bases. Emotions run

high as lucky ones were reunited. Many have proposed to their loved

ones and babies have been born, including this one. How does it feel

to be home? Really good. I was home for her

birth. She has changed a lot. It is brilliant to be back. She w`s only

six months when he left. The ship initially had for lonths in

the Middle East then helped with the disposal of chemical weapons from

Syria. This was the ship chosen to be the

British escort to help get chemical weapons out of use. The overwhelming

emotion was pride. We were proud that we can look back on our time in

Syria as a job well done. After 212 days, over 32,000 nautical

miles, HMS Montrose is finally home and the crew have a well`deserved

five weeks leave. Sports news: a Torquay Unitdd

footballer has been given a ten`match ban by the FA, after he

was found guilty of miscondtct. Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle have

moved closer to the League Two play`offs. It follows their win at

Wycombe Wanderers last night. Here's Spotlight's Dave Gibbins. L`st

night's matchwinner for Torpuay United, Joss Labadie, has bden

suspended for ten games. Thd FA s charge of an alleged biting incident

was found proven. He's been fined ?2000. The club is considerhng an

appeal. Meanwhile, there is a flickdr of

light for United at the bottom of League Two: they beat Rochd`le `1.

Goals from Christian Pearce and Labadie. Plymouth Argyle were

heading into the League Two play`offs after their skippdr scored

the only goal. Their nearest rival, Southend, were two goals down at

Scunthorpe but managed to gdt a draw, putting Argyle out of the top

seven by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Exeter City having trouble `t the wrong end of the table. A shocking

performance at St James Park continued. Northampton Town got the

decisive goal. City are onlx two points above the relegation zone.

In the championship, Yeovil Town missed a golden chance to climb out

of the danger zone. They went down by one goal to nil. If they had won,

they would have gone above Lillwall, who lost at Blackpool. But ht is

status quo for them and thex remain in the bottom three.

750 primary schoolchildren have been given an insight into the world of

farming in Cornwall today. From piglets to pork sausages, today has

been all about teaching these children the real story of the

production. As well as debunking some rather strange misconcdptions.

Last year some children thotght the ducklings were made of plastic. At

the end of today, we the chhldren to go away and understand the links

between food and farming. It was not all about looking to baby

animals, it was about the btsiness of farming, from arable crops to

livestock milking by hand to heavy machinery. Everyone learned

something new. I learned th`t cows milk goes into ice cream. The best

part was eating the ice cre`m. According to teachers, children from

rural Cornwall had much to discover. The children are used to behng

surrounded by fields and anhmals and crops but they do not have `n

understanding of weird food comes from. This is up than plasthc

opportunity. After all this learning, it is time

for lunch. For the first tile, the children have an understandhng of

where every item of their p`cked lunch came from.

Boat builders based at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall ard

building a replica of part of a Viking ship ` using ancient

techniques. The ship's bow has taken three months to build and whll be

the centre piece of the British Museum's newly opened Viking

exhibition. It is 15 feet long and six feet wide. It took thred months

to construct and now this tdam of boat builders at the Nation`l

Maritime Museum in Cornwall have nearly finished their replica bow of

the Viking ship. You have to build your planting up

without frames or supports. Once you have the shape, you install frames.

The boat and its builders whll feature at to live film events

screened in cinemas across the country in April and June. This will

showcase the exhibition at the British Museum. This is the book

manager. Our team will go up this wedk to

recreate part of the build. We will do things like putting piecds of

planking on and hammering n`ils in. Some practical work, for thd benefit

of people there. We will also show this rather splendid figurehead

here. A team of volunteers have hdlped

with the build as well as ldarning traditional skills. After the

British Museum has finished with this, it will return to the National

Maritime Museum in Cornwall. The recent spell of warmer, sunnier

weather has provided some stunning floral displays in the region's

gardens and it's hoped they'll be a big attraction this spring for

visitors. James Churchfield and Pam Spriggs from BBC Radio Cornwall have

been to Caerhays Castle near Gorran Haven to see the stunning dhsplay of

magnolias. After the wettest winter on record,

with the cause battered and homes flooded and also the rail lhne at

the late fractured, mother nature has finally decided to show her more

gentle side to the South West with an amazing display of Spring colour.

Charles Williams, it has bedn a terrible winter. How have you coped

here at Caerhays Castle? Like everyone else, we've h`d to.

Trees down and damage to thd sea defences have come to annoy us. But

just look behind you and sed what we have to offer. The nasty winter is a

thing of the past. We're now into spring and the garden is looking

great. This is just one of lany magnolias that you can see here

When you look at the sheer beauty of these Chinese magnolias, whhch have

been here for 100 years, rather longer than I have! Just look at the

beauty of them. Amazing, aren't they?

What do you enjoy about sprhngtime in Cornwall?

The contrast of the different months. In March, the Asiathc

magnolias, in April the rhododendrons, in May the azaleas

and scented rhododendrons... Who could ask for more than that in a

Cornish Spring? Hello. We will have a simil`r

temperature tomorrow. Probldms overnight with mist and fog tonight.

It is big enough to cause problems for travellers. But it gets brighter

with some sunshine later in the day. But first thing in the mornhng

across parts of Somerset and Dorset will see the clock. We have some

weather warnings. Effectively, the satellite picture shows largely

clear skies for the UK and other countries. But this area of high

pressure moves right across us. Virtually no wind at all. Then it

moves out to the West. Then winds change direction, bringing lore

cloud. Tonight: A fair amount of cloud free skies. We will sde a drop

in temperature. It felt ple`sant during the sunshine today. This was

a canal today which will opdn again after repairers. A beautiful day.

Even the ducks appreciated ht. It will turn chilly tonight. Rhght

across the south`west it will turn cold overnight and we could well see

some frost. Gradually, the list will forum and it will develop into fog

and by the time we get up tomorrow morning, we will see a mistx and

chilly start. Cold enough for frost. Tomorrow: A misty start but quickly

improving with sunny spells. It will remain misty around the coast. The

Isles of Scilly will be close to the line of mist and low cloud. The

Times of high water. A pleasant day along the beach. A general wind

direction for the coastal w`ters forecast shown here. A dry story.

All the way through to the weekend. Temperatures coming down.