'Sea tractor could become an EV' as island looks to get more green
We can reveal the famous Bigbury sea tractor - which takes people to and from Burgh Island - could soon be electric.
The owner of Burgh Island hotel is looking to make the iconic 1960s Bigbury sea tractor an electric vehicle - as part of ongoing efforts to make the island more green.
The site has already installed solar panels on the former tennis court to help power the hotel - and looked into using wind and tidal energy.
Greatest Hits Radio understands the tides around the famous island would not currently offer enough power and it is unlikely there would be support for installing a large wind turbine there.
Bosses have also looked at their waste and electric use on the island as they seek to minimise their carbon and environmental footprint.
Earlier this month villagers in Bigbury-on-Sea drew a large SOS in the sand to coincide with the COP26 summit - and highlight the climate emergency.
MD Andrew Jamieson has been speaking exclusively to us about the hotel's green ambitions - which includes working closely with the village's Bigbury Net Zero campaign
He said: "Here at Burgh Island we're also looking at all ways. We've looked at tidal power, looked at wind power and of course we've got an extensive solar panel area on the island to help run the hotel.
"The tractor runs on diesel at present and she is getting rather old as she was built in 1969.
"My owner at the moment is looking very much at an engineering scheme to turn the tractor into an electric powered vehicle to bring the guests back and forward."
Louise Wainwright from Bigbury Net Zero now hosts an informal drop-in session on a Tuesday from 11am-midday to help answer climate change queries - and support people to reduce their carbon footprint.
She said: "I'm just a grandma. I decided one day that I was going to form a climate change group so I did.
"There must be lots of other people just like me who could do exactly the same thing and l you have to do is to create an opportunity for people to come together and I think people would be surprised how much support they've got.
"Our main objective is to make sure that we reduce our carbon footprints collectively so we're working on topics like renewable energy, recycling, community composting and buying local.
"People do have a lot of questions, there is anxiety about what to do. Every Tuesday Bigbury Net Zero will be present at the Venus Cafe to listen to what people have to say about climate change but to also promote and encourage opportunities."