No trains are running between Bournemouth and Southampton Central until at least midday today.

South Western Railway says that due to urgent repairs all lines are blocked.

Substantial rail damage has been identified and trains are unable to use a portion of track in either direction.

Specialist teams are on site but the rail company says that due to the nature of the damage it is unable to provide a completion time for the works.

Cancellations, delays or alterations to services are expected all day.

Replacement buses are running between Bournemouth and Southampton.

Rail tickets will be accepted, at no extra cost, on bus services including:

Morebus X1 and X2 between Lymington – New Milton – Christchurch – Bournemouth

Morebus 1A, 1B and 1C between Bournemouth – Pokesdown – Christchurch

Morebus 33 between Bournemouth and Christchurch

Passengers are advised to check before travelling.

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/

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BCP Council is to extend a successful bike scheme to 2028.

Its partnership with Beryl will see 800 pedal bikes, 750 e-bikes, and 500 e-scooters available for instant hire across more than 400 parking bays.

For the first time, there are also plans to introduce a handful of innovative e-cargo bikes for local businesses.

The eco-friendly vehicles will be able to carry out sustainable deliveries and replace trips a van would normally do.

The Beryl initiative has been running across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole since June 2019.

Since the scheme was introduced it has generated more than 1,827,000 rides across nearly 6.4million kilometres – the equivalent of nearly 160 journeys around the Earth.

The journeys have had a significant impact on reducing traffic congestion across Dorset, replacing 650,000 private vehicle journeys.

They’ve also contributed towards getting people active and improving air quality, preventing more than 235 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said: “Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were the first large bike-share scheme deployment areas for Beryl, and working alongside us, they’ve nurtured it here really well over the last five years.

“We’re delighted they have been successful in their re-tender, which means we can retain the service across our towns and streets until 2028.

“As well as providing a reliable service, they have gone much further, helping train residents in how to use eScooters to give them the confidence to ride, regularly assessing the user experience and continuing to focus on how micro mobility can help those with disabilities.

“We look forward to further innovation from them as a key partner in supporting sustainable travel in our area moving forward.”

Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “Obviously we are delighted to extend our partnership with BCP Council and see it as an indication of the great work we have done together to provide the region with the convenient, cost-effective, and simple-to-use scheme.

“The numbers show just how popular it has been and how many private car journeys it has taken off the road, contributing towards reducing road congestion, improving air quality and meeting carbon reduction targets.

“It’s also broken down the barriers to sustainable transport for a lot of people who otherwise may not have had access to, or have been willing to try getting around by bike, e-bike or e-scooter.

“Over the next five years, we will utilise the knowledge and experience we have gained to deliver some significant improvements, which will help make the scheme even more user-friendly and hopefully encourage an even greater take up of sustainable transport habits.”

The achievements of the partnership between Beryl and BCP Council saw it claim The Municipal Journal (MJ) Award for the UK’s Best Transport Decarbonisation Project in June 2023 – an accolade considered the highest level of recognition in the UK local authority community.

Beryl have also provided over 180,000 free rides to job seekers, students, low-income hospitality workers, refugees, cycle training organisations and other community group members across the conurbation as part of their Community Champions initiative.

https://www.beryl.cc/scheme/bournemouth-christchurch-and-poole

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A flood alert has been issued for East Dorset.

The Environment Agency says flooding is possible at Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Bournemouth Beach, Hengistbury Head and Christchurch Harbour.

The flood alert is due to the high tide, forecast for 10.15am today, Tuesday, with predictions of a Force 6 south westerly wind.

Sea spray overtopping along the coast is possible along with flooding to roads and low lying land up to two hours either side of high tide.

The agency is warning people to be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.

https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/111WACECD

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Dorset Police responded to over 200 incidents across the county between midnight and 5am following the New Year celebrations.

As a result 37 people were held in the force’s custody suites.

In a social media post, Dorset Police thanked them for spending time away from their friends and family, allowing everyone else to celebrate safely.

https://www.dorset.police.uk/

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Julia’s House children’s hospice is offering to collect unwanted Christmas trees once again this year in return for a small donation.

A team of volunteers will pick up trees across the area next week and take them for recycling. Last year over £7,000 was raised for the charity.

To take part, registration is required before January 8th.

Collections take part between 11th and 13th January from homes across Dorset, in postcode areas BH1-BH23 and BH31.

The real trees will then be taken to Adventure Pirate in Lytchett Minster and ECO Sustainable Solutions in Christchurch and recycled as chippings for use on local farms and community spaces.

It’s the third year the Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice has run its tree collection service. For everyone signing up, there is the option to make a suggested donation of £10 to support the charity’s lifeline of care for local families.

Last year, Julia’s House recycled 630 Christmas trees and raised more than £7,000 with their collection service across both Dorset and Wiltshire.

Charlie Squires, from the fundraising team at Julia’s House, said, “We’re delighted to be running our charity Christmas tree collection again this year. When it’s time to take the baubles and tinsel down, we’ll be ready with our friendly team of helpers to collect and recycle your real tree from your doorstep. Any donations made to Julia’s House children’s hospice will make a vital difference in helping us to care for local children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families.”

https://www.juliashouse.org/how-you-can-help/christmas-tree-collection-recycling

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A new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility has been officially opened in Poole.

Parvalux, which makes electric motors and gearboxes, says the site in Techonology Road puts the Swiss-owned company at the forefront of its sector.

It was previously located at Wallisdown. The new facility, called Parvalux House, includes more than 1,500 solar panels to cut carbon emissions.

VIP guests attending the opening included Cllr Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council.

She said: “To have such a high-quality advanced manufacturing and engineering business in our local community with such long and illustrious heritage at the vanguard of industry and with such good environmental credentials is wonderful.”

Other guests included Cllr Jo Clements, Mayor of Poole; Stephen Phipson, CEO of MakeUK; Ian Girling, CEO of Dorset Chamber; and distinguished figures from the company’s parent group maxon including Dr Karl-Walter Braun, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Eugen Elmige, CEO.

Following the ribbon cutting by Dr Braun, officially opening the facility, guests were treated to a tour, providing a first-hand glimpse into the processes involved in creating gearboxes and electric motors from conception to completion.

Cllr Slade said: “It was great to attend the grand opening of Parvalux House and learn more about the incredible range of items the company manufactures – I had never considered how train windscreen wipers are powered before!”

Other speeches were made by Doug Sheppard, Parvalux Managing Director; Stephen Phipson, Eugen Elmiger and Karl-Walter Braun.

Mr Sheppard said: “This new factory represents the commitment the maxon group has towards the future of Parvalux.”

Stephen Phipson added: “I was delighted to see such a marvellous facility which will clearly bring huge benefits to operational processes and is at the cutting edge of energy efficiency in particular.”

“It’s also very refreshing to see the care taken to ensure that the working environment is as welcoming for staff as possible and the innovative measures Parvalux is implementing to aid this.”

Staff and guests receiving commemorative coins, a token of appreciation for their contributions and support in making Parvalux House a reality.

Picture: Parvalux.

https://www.parvalux.com

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Fancy a festive barbecue on the beach? Then BCP Council have just the thing.

The council’s electric beach barbecues are now open until January 5, 2024, at Branksome Chine, Bournemouth, Boscombe and Fisherman’s Walk.

They’re free to use and enjoy on a first come, first served basis.

The BBQ takes three to seven minutes from cold to reach cooking temperature,

Users have 20 minutes cooking time before the BBQ switches off automatically.

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/beaches-and-quays/electric-beach-barbecues-bbqs

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Please use ambulance services responsibly over the festive season.

That’s the message from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) which runs Dorset’s ambulances.

It’s expecting a busy and challenging time across its 999 services with Boxing Day traditionally the busiest day over the festive break.

The trust is urging people to only call 999 when someone is seriously injured or ill and their life may be at risk.

For example, if someone is unconscious, not breathing or is bleeding heavily.

For non-life-threatening emergencies, appropriate care can be accessed by visiting NHS 111 online, contacting your GP or getting advice from a pharmacy.

Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations at SWASFT, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the festive celebrations, and we’re urging local communities to use our services responsibly, and choose the right care for them.

“We want to be there for everyone that needs us in a medical emergency, to ensure this, we need to have crews available for patients with the most life-threatening conditions.

“Please only call 999 if someone is seriously injured or ill, for anything else, please contact NHS 111.

“I would like to thank our people and NHS colleagues who will be working throughout the Christmas and New Year period to help keep us all safe and well.

“Should you need their support, please be kind to them, they are working hard under huge daily pressures.”

https://www.swast.nhs.uk/welcome

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Two tourism hotspots in Dorset feature in a list of the top ten most Instagram-worthy yachting destinations in the UK.

The Jurassic Coast is at number five while Lulworth Cove is ranked tenth. Between them they accounted for nearly 600,000 uploads from yacht enthusiasts.

The study was conducted by boat insurance experts Insuremy. London’s River Thames ranked as the top picturesque location.

More than 21.7 million hashtags on Instagram were examined.

Researchers looked at the total number of hashtags for each location to reveal the most popular destinations in the UK to visit with a yacht.   

https://www.insuremy.co.uk/

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Sam Ryder performed for shoppers at Bournemouth Christmas Market last night.

The singer announced on the Market’s Facebook page a couple of hours before, that he was on his way to the town.

When he arrived, he explained to surprised shoppers he was there as part of a race against Wham’s Last Christmas to get to Number 1 on the chart and he needs everyone’s help.

Sam performed his current single You’re Christmas to Me along with Run Rudolph Run and Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours.

After his performance, fans got to meet him and have their photo taken with him.

https://www.facebook.com/bournemouthchristmasmarket/videos/349992044307769

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The game between AFC Bournemouth and Luton FC had to be cancelled after the captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch.

Players left the pitch halfway through the second half as the 29-year-old defender was carried off on a stretcher.

The Premier League has since confirmed Tom is alert and responsive following the incident.

Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all players involved in today’s match.

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Neighbourhood policing teams, officers from the Operations command – such as firearms officers and dog handlers with their four-legged colleagues – as well as other specialist teams will be patrolling in crowded areas to provide reassurance to the public.

Chief Inspector Darren Harris, of Dorset Police, said: “As part of our policing activities throughout the season, we will be visibly patrolling in many areas where hopefully a lot of residents and visitors are enjoying what Dorset has to offer during this festive period.

“People may also see our firearms officers being on foot patrol, which means they may be carrying their long-arm weapons. There is absolutely no suggestion that there is any increased risk to our county or any specific events. This way of patrolling just gives them a greater flexibility to respond to incidents.

“During our high-visibility patrols we are also assisted by our council colleagues, including CSAS officers (community safety accreditation scheme). We very much hope that everyone is able to enjoy the festive season – our officers are here to deal with anyone seeking to cause disruption.

“For example, anyone acting anti-socially in our communities will be dealt with as we recognise this is closely linked to how safe people feel. We want to give reassurance that our officers are committed to keeping our county safe.

“Please approach them if you have any concerns or something doesn’t feel right. Everyone can play their part and look out for each other – trust your instincts.”

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Dorset Police has launched a new seasonal campaign reminding residents how to avoid being the victim of crime this Christmas.

From not leaving gifts on display in our cars, to keeping doors and windows locked, the force will be out on the streets with some friendly advice.

Superintendent Gavin House, the Neighbourhood, Partnership and Safeguarding lead said: “this is one of the busiest times of year for shoppers and retailers and there are simple prevention measures people can take to make it harder for thieves.

“We are urging retailers to think carefully about where they place their most valuable stock; to keep it away from doors and window displays and to place it where staff can best keep an eye on it. We are urging shoppers to be vigilant to people who may want to steal their wallets and other valuables from their bags, so keep them closed at all times, especially in crowds.”

https://www.dorset.police.uk/police-forces/dorset-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/safer-christmas/

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Harry Redknapp has officially opened the new Travis Perkins branch at Ashley Road in Bournemouth.

The former AFC Bournemouth manager said he jumped at the chance of opening the new, bigger site for the company, which distributes materials to the construction sector.

He added: “I have fond memories of transfer deadline day, so when Travis Perkins asked me to open their newly transferred branch I jumped at the chance to visit and share my advice with their team.

“They have a cracking set-up and I’ve no doubt that the new branch will become an integral part of the local community, providing all the advice, as well as building materials and equipment builders and contractors could need.”

Branch Manager, Ash Moulton says about the new opening: “It was amazing to have a football legend like Harry Redknapp come down to meet our customers and the 22-strong team of colleagues who are serving them from this branch.”

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