Friday 20th September

Friday, 20 September 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

According to new data, the Environment Agency is attending fewer incidents in Somerset than before the pandemic. Leonardo Helicopters says winning a major share of £435 million in investment in Leonardo’s UK operations will secure hundreds of jobs in Yeovil. Latest figures show that Yeovil was the cheapest place to buy a home in Somerset over the last 12 months...and more

According to new data, the Environment Agency is attending fewer incidents in Somerset than before the pandemic. The figures show that there were 1,078 water pollution incidents in Somerset between 2018 and 2023, just 303 of which were visited immediately by Environment Agency staff. The Environment Agency says some incidents were handled remotely or by the emergency services.

Leonardo Helicopters says winning a major share of £435 million in investment in Leonardo’s UK operations will secure hundreds of jobs on the Yeovil site. The funding, to be used for research and development and new IT infrastructure, is being provided by Leonardo’s Italian parent company, and was announced by the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, during his visit to Italy earlier this week. £230 million of it will be spent at the Yeovil site.

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving. Alex Gullis of Plover Court was found to be more than three times over the drink drive limit when he hit another vehicle in Preston Road and failed a roadside breath test. Local magistrates adjourned the case until October 29 for reports to be prepared and imposed an interim-driving ban.

More parents are looking to move their children out of private schools and into state schools, according to Somerset Council. It says it's had an increase in enquiries since the Labour government announced that 20 percent VAT will be added to private school fees from next January.

Latest figures show that Yeovil was the cheapest place to buy a home in Somerset over the last 12 months. Homes in the BA21 postcode sold for an average of £224,645 in the year to July. Wedmore retained its position as the most expensive place to buy a property with the price of a house in postcode BS28 averaging £659,450. Hinton St George had the second highest house prices with properties in the TA17 postcode selling on average for £575,250.

Essential drainage work is taking place in Winsham next week with parts of Court Street and Back Street closed to traffic. The work starts on Monday, September 23rd and will last until Monday, October 21st with a traffic diversion in operation. The 96 bus service to Drimpton and Clapton through Winsham will not run during the road closure.

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Wednesday 17th June

Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more
Tuesday 16th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more
Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.