... (with apologies for linking to the awful Herald website)

Firefighters are currently at Ivybridge railway station where a large blaze has broken out by one of the platforms.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that two crews are at the station and are attempting to extinguish the flames.

Calls were received about the incident at 9.05pm and all trains have been stopped from travelling through the site.

Muppet
A person who is ignorant and generally has no idea about anything.

Muppet
a person who defies explanation with regard to common sense and logic, exhubing an air of confidence that is mutually exclusive to that of their accomplishments or ability

Muppet
Originally coined in the police and then spread through emergency services and armed forces before gaining popularity with the general population.

It stands for Most Useless Person Possible Except Trainee

Muppets.

Hunt takes a bizarre turn onto busy Shropshire road



Traffic on the A5 in Shropshire was forced to slow down as two men rode their horses either side of the road trying to retrieve hounds from the road. At least one of the dogs appeared to be injured and was taken away.

The unusual sight was captured on camera by one driver, who was travelling from Wrexham at the time and pulled into a layby because he was worried about safety.

It is not known which of Shropshire^s hunts were involved in the incident, which happened just near Shrewsbury close to one of the roundabouts on the town^s bypass at about 3.30pm on Wednesday.

He said: ^I was surprised to find one rider in red hunting clothing was riding south along the northbound verge or nearside lane, while another rider was on the southbound lane among the traffic. It was certainly an unusual sight.

^At least one, possibly two hounds were on the road. The drivers of several cars and lorries had to brake but as far as I am aware no accidents occurred.

^It must have been quite hairy for drivers particularly of the lorries, coming off the junction and encountering the horses.

^It could have been a much more serious incident had one of the horses been spooked by the vehicles.^

Another driver, Peter Leigh, also saw the huntsmen on the carriageway. His wife, Carol, said he also saw somebody retrieving dogs from the carriageway.

A political gesture of a parliament democratically elected by the people. One that hasn't been, or stands any chance of being, overturned by the current parliament.

I don't deny that foxes are problematical for poultry and sheep farmers. But to control them by setting a pack of hounds on them led by a braying mob of hunters is barbaric, cruel, unnecessary and frankly, inefficient. When legal to hunt with hounds a hunt would typically kill one fox a fortnight and only during their hunting season. It was done for sport and no other reason. The economic case for hunts is vastly overstated as well.

I have family who farm in Somerset and they have no truck whatsoever with hunts. They use far more efficient ways of dealing with foxes. With a recognition of the fox's role in keeping the rabbit population in check.

One simple method of keeping foxes out of a hen house is a mirror. Doesn't bother the hens, but Mr Fox will turn tail at sight of 'another' fox. Sonic repellents used for when hens are outside. Nose height electric fencing around fields. Feeding them can also help prevent attacks on livestock. Last resorts of trapping and shooting.

Surveys of sheep farmers have shown that lamb predation by foxes is seen as a relatively minor problem.

A political gesture of a parliament democratically elected by the people. One that hasn't been, or stands any chance of being, overturned by the current parliament.

I don't deny that foxes are problematical for poultry and sheep farmers. But to control them by setting a pack of hounds on them led by a braying mob of hunters is barbaric, cruel, unnecessary and frankly, inefficient. When legal to hunt with hounds a hunt would typically kill one fox a fortnight and only during their hunting season. It was done for sport and no other reason. The economic case for hunts is vastly overstated as well.

I have family who farm in Somerset and they have no truck whatsoever with hunts. They use far more efficient ways of dealing with foxes. With a recognition of the fox's role in keeping the rabbit population in check.

One simple method of keeping foxes out of a hen house is a mirror. Doesn't bother the hens, but Mr Fox will turn tail at sight of 'another' fox. Sonic repellents used for when hens are outside. Nose height electric fencing around fields. Feeding them can also help prevent attacks on livestock. Last resorts of trapping and shooting.

Surveys of sheep farmers have shown that lamb predation by foxes is seen as a relatively minor problem.

Sympathy only for the dogs themselves and the driver. Absolutely none for the hunt. Zero reason for a 'trail' to be anywhere near a railway line. Had they not been near then the hounds would not have (as I suspect) picked up an alternative scent.

Any bills for delay or damage should be sent to the Dartmoor Hunt.

Foxhounds are extremely intelligent and well disciplined animals however you cannot ever fully "train out" natural instincts (hence the excursion through your garden!) - if they pick up the scent of a fox they will go after it........in any case a tragic accident and I would imagine the driver was as upset as the Hunt......sympathy to all concerned.

Sympathy only for the dogs themselves and the driver. Absolutely none for the hunt. Zero reason for a 'trail' to be anywhere near a railway line. Had they not been near then the hounds would not have (as I suspect) picked up an alternative scent.

Any bills for delay or damage should be sent to the Dartmoor Hunt.

Judging by how completely out of control a pack of fox hounds were that (unsuccessfully) chased a fox through my and my neighbours gardens recently, I'm surprised this type of thing doesn't happen more frequently.


Hmmm, then what must they have been following then, I wonder??

He said: "Surely if the hunt were following a trail, no-one in their right mind would have laid the scent next to a busy line?"

Six hunting hounds killed by train near Ivybridge, Devon


Six hunting hounds were killed by a train near Ivybridge

Six hunting hounds were hit and killed by a train when they ran onto tracks in the Devon countryside.

A train driver with Network Rail reported hitting the dogs near Ivybridge on Saturday.

Organisers of the Dartmoor Hunt, which owned the dogs, said it was a "very distressing and regrettable" incident.

Tom Lyle, joint master, said: "Nothing like this has ever happened to the hunt before and it was very upsetting to all involved."

Network Rail confirmed one of its drivers reported hitting the dogs at around 12:00 GMT.

The spokesman said: "We were contacted by the police to alert us that a pack of hunting hounds were unaccompanied on the line. We then received a call from a train driver to say that he had gone through the area and had noticed the pack of hounds. He reported that his train had struck six of them, who died as a result of their injuries."

Joe Duckworth, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, called for the Dartmoor Hunt to be "held accountable" for what happened. He said: "Surely if the hunt were following a trail, no-one in their right mind would have laid the scent next to a busy line?"

Never knew FGW went to Leeds? haha

Never knew FGW went to Leeds? haha

A man has been killed after being in collision with a passenger train near Ivybridge.

Police closed a section of railway track running alongside Exeter Road on the B3213 at around 5.48pm today.

British Transport Police, officers from Devon and Cornwall police, together with representatives of Network Rail attended the scene.

A black private ambulance was also at parked on Davids Lane.

British Transport Police confirmed the 17:23 First Great Western train service from Plymouth to Leeds was involved in the incident.

It is believed the man^s body was found below a single-vehicle road bridge at the top of Davids Lane.

A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: ^We attended the scene close to Ivybridge Railway Station after reports a man had been hit by a train at 5:40pm.

Paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is being treated as non-suspicious.^

Ivybridge Railway Station was closed to trains and the entrance to Davids Lane was coned off by police until 7.10pm.

The railway main line to and from Plymouth and Cornwall was affected.

A spokeswoman for Cross Country said: ^The 18:59 from Ivybridge to Plymouth was disrupted and alternative transport was offered.^

Transport Police said a file is being prepared for the coroner.

Body found on railway line was missing Plymouth man Keith Thompson

A body found on railway lines near Ivybridge was that of missing Plymouth man Keith Thompson, it has been revealed.

Plymouth coroner^s office and police confirmed the remains found on December 10 close to the line at Langham Levels near Ivybridge was than of the 56-year-old St Budeaux man. The coroner^s office said the initial cause of death has been given as ^multiple injuries^.

Mr Thompson was last seen 4pm on Sunday November 13 when he was captured on CCTV leaving Newton Abbot railway station.

Police launched an intensive hunt for the Vi-Spring production operative across Plymouth and surrounding areas, even calling upon the aid of the specialist Dartmoor Search and Rescue team.

However, the search was called off following the discovery of the body on the line.

The body was first seen by a police helicopter crew flying over the town. Local officers and British Transport Police were both called upon to investigate.

The Herald understands rail police employed DNA testing to determine the identity of the body but to no avail due to the degradation of the remains.

Further tests, including checks against dental records, were also carried out to confirm the deceased^s identity.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: ^We can confirm that the man whose body was discovered close to the line at Langham Levels, near Ivybridge in Devon, on December 10 has been formally identified as Keith Thompson, aged 56 of Higher St Budeaux, Plymouth.

^Mr Thompson had been reported to police as a missing person by his family on 13 November 2011. Although currently being treated as unexplained, there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Thompson^s death. BTP officers will be preparing a file for the Coroner.^

The coroner^s office said the inquest had been opened and adjourned.

Police suspend hunt for man after body found near railway line

The body of a man has been discovered near a railway line, British Transport Police have confirmed.

It is not yet known if the body is that of Plymouth man Keith Thompson, who vanished four weeks ago.

​But following the discovery on Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police officers yesterday postponed a planned operation as part of their enquiries into the 56-year-old's disappearance.

"Officers are now working to determine the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained," said a spokesperson for British Transport Police (BTP) who are leading the investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police were initially called to the scene at Langham Levels, Ivybridge, on Saturday afternoon, along with forensics officers. At about 4.10pm the Force notified BTP about the find.

The body was first seen by a police helicopter crew flying over the town.

"BTP officers attended, alongside colleagues from Devon and Cornwall Police and discovered a body, believed to be that of a man, on the embankment at Langham Levels," said the spokesperson.

As The Herald reported on Saturday, officers were yesterday due to visit train stations between Truro and Torquay armed with missing person posters in the hope of jogging the memories of rail passengers who may have seen missing city man Keith.

The operation is part of continued efforts to search for the Vi-Spring production operative, whose last confirmed sighting was on Sunday November 13 as he headed to the city-bound platform at Newton Abbot railway station.

He is described as white, of medium build and around 5ft 8ins tall with short grey hair and glasses.

Keith was last seen wearing a red and black Adidas jacket and a pink or faded red T-shirt.

Police believe he may also have been carrying a dark blue Tesco bag for life and a green Co-operative carrier bag.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the police on 101 quoting log number 294 of November 18.

And BTP are appealing for people with details about Saturday's discovery to contact them on 0800 40 50 40.

The body of a man has been found by a police helicopter crew flying over a town in Devon.

It was discovered by officers on board the Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter while it was over Ivybridge.

Police said the body was seen from the Exeter-based aircraft while it was over the Langham Levels area of the town at about 16:00 GMT on Saturday.

British Transport Police are investigating the case, as the man's body was found close to a railway line.

A train guard was punched to the floor after asking a passenger to put out a cigarette he was smoking.
The incident happened between Ivybridge and Plymouth on the 1636 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Plymouth on Friday evening.
The guard, who was punched twice on the head, was not seriously hurt, but has suffered headaches since the attack.
The attacker is described as a white man in his 20s, wearing dark-coloured jeans and a dark top.
British Transport Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the assault just after 2030 GMT.
The guard had been walking through the train when he saw a man leaning out of the window smoking in the vestibule area between two of the coaches.
He asked the man to stop smoking, but as he walked away, he was assaulted from behind.
Pc Amanda Showler said: "Members of railway staff should be able to carry out their duties without fear of attack or intimidation. We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault or saw anything suspicious on board the train to come forward."

According to BBC Radio Devon it happened at Ivybridge.

According to BBC Radio Devon it happened at Ivybridge.

Ah, the dreaded apostrophe 

As did the recently posted signs at N&B advising passengers about rail replacement bus services, but referring to Blackwell.

Another one which annoys me is Evesham pronounced "Eve -er- sham."

Apparently there was overnight engineering in the area (Saturday night), and one of the road/rail tractor looking vehicles bought the gantry down.  A crane had to be sourced from South Wales to remove it.

I was lucky enough to miss it all, but from what i've heard with the rail replacement buses all busy in Bristol and Penzance areas and XC being as helpful as ever terminating everything at Bristol, it was not a good day to put it mildly.  (Unless you were a taxi driver of course - one hopes that NR will be picking up the taxi bill that ran into the thousands!)

It's not that long ago that a sign appeared at the entrance to Moreton-in-Marsh station which welcomed you to Moreton-in-the-Marsh, which some of the Bristol conductors working Hereford services are also prone to calling us. The name is thought to be a corruption of Moreton Henmarsh and certainly never featured a 'the'.

I think Apcoa were responsible for this one. After I got it ridiculed in the local papers, it was swiftly taken down, only to reappear with a strip of something firmly glued over 'the' and it's still there now.

Update at 15:15
Due to emergency engineering work, we are currently unable to run any trains between Newton Abbott and Plymouth. A very limited bus service is in operation between Tiverton Parkway and Plymouth.
The line is unlikely to be opened until 18:00.

Thanks, vacman! 

So, would any HST services stopping there help with that passenger flow?

Oh dear, only 22 passengers per day last year at Keyham.

Think its gets one, the 0705 Plymouth - Penzance

I agree, it is bad news. And there is already a Padd - Bristol HST that stops at Keyham!!

How long are the West Country trains taking from December? - they need to get it BELOW 3 hrs to Plymouth to tempt business travellers out of planes and cars.

Oh grrrreat, they could go for the record for the longest slowest possible journey from Penzance to Paddington, next it'll be bloody Keyham, Dockyard and St Budeaux!

I have heard FGW HSTs will be making more local stops. that started in the Bristol area last year, looks like Devon will be getting something similar then. 

To celebrate the introduction of High Speed Trains to Ivybridge, First Great Western has offered 5 pairs of return rail tickets to London (Paddington) valid for use on the 10.00am service from Ivybridge on Friday 19th December. Return travel may be on the same day or within 28 days.

Also the 20xx from Pad will be stopping at Ivybridge

According to the FGW journey planner Ivybridge will have 3 up and 2 down HSTs stopping there from December.The up ones being the Ex plymouth 0945,1200,16.57 HSTs and the down ones being the 09.06,1606 ex Paddingtons HSTs.

I don't know the metrics of this particular service and the surrounding ones ... but if a train IS already packed out, then there could be sense in missing out stops, could there not - displacing the intermediate station customer to slightly earlier / later and less overcrowded services, and giving a faster and more comfortable ride to the 12:00 passengers.

I am reminded by devon_metro'c comments of a time I looked at the London Underground map and wondered "why haven't they extended the Victoria line south further from Brixton".  The Northern line has a long tail to Morden, and I used to live out beyond Brixton in a highly populated ares, I wondered.   It turns out (I read elsewhere) that any extensions to the Victoria line would just throw even more trafiic at the line through London, which is already running at capacity - and that an extension would simply replace one problem (south of Brixton transport) with another (central congestion).   Along the same lines, I have to question local bypass proposals around here which - it would seem - may give some relief to one town but sponge other traffic into the area to the detriment of others.   All of which is getting a long way from the subject of cutting out Exeter stops   

That would make sense, missing Exeter at 1300ish!Not.

That would make sense, missing Exeter at 1300ish!Not.

1200 is completely unsuitable to be stopping additionally. On busy days it could do with being fast from Plymouth to Reading!!