Friday 1st December

Friday, 1 December 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are warning of a spate of thefts of Ford cars in South Somerset. The government has turned down a bid for levelling-up funds to build a new train station to serve Somerton and Langport. Long-running roadworks on the Somerset-Devon border will continue over the Christmas holidays after a repair scheme was postponed...and more.

Police are warning of a spate of thefts of Ford cars in South Somerset. Several Ford Fiestas and Ford Eco Sports have been stolen over the past four months without a door key being used. Police say it's part of a national increase in thefts of Ford Fiestas that are no longer in production. The vehicles are less than 10 years old and it is believed are being stolen to order for breaking-up for spare parts. Owners of Ford cars are being advised to be extra careful where they park their vehicles and to report anything suspicious by calling 999.

The government has turned down a bid for levelling-up funds to build a new train station to serve Somerton and Langport. The Langport Transport Group, supported by Somerset Council, submitted the bid last year claiming there was a strong case to have a new station provided in the area and asked that the project should progress to the next phase. The government says it’s financing five projects with levelling-up funding across Dorset and Somerset at a cost of £87 million but the new train station proposal for Langport and Somerton is not one of them. Langport and Somerton were originally served by trains on the Taunton to Castle Cary line but their stations were closed in the 1960s.

People are being asked to flag up places that are the most at risk of flooding in Somerset. It’s part of a consultation by Somerset Rivers Authority into a new 10-year plan, aimed at minimising the flood risk.

Long-running roadworks on the Somerset-Devon border will continue over the Christmas holidays after a repair scheme was postponed. For the past 18 months, motorists travelling on the A30 have had to contend with temporary lights at Crawley Farm, between Chard and Yarcombe. The lights, installed by Devon County Council following a landslip, should have been taken down in September but the council has now put back the date for doing the work to early January.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more