The glorious weather expected this weekend is expected to inspire thousands to head for the beaches across the West Country are expected to be busy.
There are concerns that, while travelling with your own household is now legal under lockdown laws brought in to stop the spread of coronavirus, many will not maintain social distancing or group limits.
This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson lessened the lockdown measures, allowing people to meet up with people up a group size of six, as long as distances of 2m are kept - but this does not come into force until Monday.
And with a number of breaches already reported across the region in recent days, sparking concern it might have led to an outbreak at Weston-super-Mare's hospital and forcing its closure, there are fears the large crowds will cause a further spread of the pandemic which has claimed almost 50,000 lives so far in the country.
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A further danger being raised is people using bodies of water to cool down.
While the cause has not yet been established two men died at Toll Bridge in Bath this week after getting into trouble and drowning.
And Corsham police have had to issue a plea online after a large gathering of youths at beauty spot by the river in Lacock where lockdown breaches and littering has been reported.
We will be bringing you the latest from across the south west including the crowds and any action the emergency services are having to take below.
Key Events
South West region revealed as having highest R number in UK
For the first time since the world went into lockdown because of coronavirus, an ‘R’ number for each region in the UK has been revealed.
And the region-specific data has shown that the South West’s ‘R’ number is the highest in the country.
The number, which is also known as the ‘reproduction rate’, represents the possible coronavirus infection rate
If the number for any region reaches above 1, it may mean new tighter restrictions and tougher social distancing measures are needed.
Surge in rail use today leads to 'chaos
The Mirror has reported a surge in passengers led to “chaos” on rail services to Bournemouth today.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union blamed “mixed messaging from the Government” and said Cross Country had been forced to try and find additional fleet to cope with the increased passenger numbers.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The hopeless mixed messaging from the Government and the impact of the Cummings affair has resulted in predictable chaos on the railway today with Bournemouth at the eye of the storm.”A surge in passengers led to “chaos” on rail services to Bournemouth today, The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said.
The union blamed “mixed messaging from the Government” and said Cross Country had been forced to try and find additional fleet to cope with the increased passenger numbers.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The hopeless mixed messaging from the Government and the impact of the Cummings affair has resulted in predictable chaos on the railway today with Bournemouth at the eye of the storm.”
Can you sunbathe topless?
As we head into a hot Easter weekend, with temperatures set to reach well into the 20s, those of us in lockdown will be dreaming of being able to enjoy the sunshine.
Having been confined to our homes for a number of weeks already, in order to contain the spread of COVID-19, this bout of summer-like weather will no doubt see more of us venture out to the garden.
Rules currently state that Brits can only leave their homes for essential travel, which includes grocery shopping, medical supplies, caring for the vulnerable, travelling to and from work and undertaking one form of exercise a day.
Caravans park up on Weston beach
A convoy of caravans has parked itself up on the lawns opposite Weston-super-Mare’s famous beaches.
As huge crowds are expected to hit the sand across the West Country, residents on these coastal towns have been expressing their concern that it could aide the spread of coronavirus.
With lockdown measures still in place demanding social distancing between households of at least 2m, some have been unhappy with the crowds seen during the week’s spell of hot weather.
Dorset beach busy
People enjoying the good weather make their way to Durdle Door, near Lulworth in Dorset, as the public are being reminded to practice social distancing following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions
Traffic update: All lanes open
All lanes are now open on the M5 between junction 26 for Wellington and junction 27 for Tiverton.
Traffic update: Lane 3 closed on M5 between junction 26 Wellington to junction 27 Tiverton
If you are travelling today, be aware that a two-vehicle accident has meant lane three remains shut.
Highways England are urging drivers to please follow all signs and signals and pass responsibly.
Photo of two men walking along separate weir on the same day as the tragedy in Batheaston
People are being warned about the dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers after two bodies were recovered from a Bath weir following a ‘tragic accident’.
Two men were recovered by the emergency services from the water near Toll Bridge Road, Batheaston, but were later pronounced dead at the scene on Thursday (May 28).
Avon and Somerset police said the victims were part of a group of people who had travelled from the Swindon area.
A photo has since emerged of people walking along Pulteney Weir, 2.5 miles away, just two hours before the fatalities in Batheaston.
The image has prompted angry Bath residents to warn people against taking risks and entering the water at weirs in the area.
Read the full story here.
Warnings to avoid rivers and other bodies of water as two men drown after falling from weir
Two men have been confirmed dead after they became lost underwater in a river in Bath.
Local residents reported seeing a large number of emergency service vehicles and personnel, including multiple ambulances, police, fire crews and an air ambulance, around the Toll Bridge area of Batheaston from around 5pm.
The roads were closed in order to allow emergency services to carry out a huge search and rescue operation.
Read the full story here.
The region's beaches have already seen huge crowds over the last week or so
Photographs have emerged of people enjoying the sunshine in Weston-super-Mare on the hottest day of the year.
People have flocked to beaches across the UK as temperatures rocket amid the recently-relaxed lockdown rules - and it was no different at the Somerset seaside town yesterday (May 20).
However, anger and frustration have been expressed by residents and Weston-super-Mare’s tourism board as visitors flocked to what became an “incredibly busy” beach.
Read the full story here.
