Local News Friday 2nd July

    Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Andy Marsh.

    The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Andy Marsh, has officially stepped down after five years in the role. Highways England has given a start date for dualling the A303 in South Somerset. Construction will begin in September. A survey into an electric car-sharing scheme in South Somerset has shown a majority of people in favour of the idea. Children at the Castle School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon are to get more opportunities to express themselves through art.

    The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Andy Marsh, has officially stepped down after five years in the role. It’s been a tricky final year for the Chief Constable, with the pandemic, the toppling of the Edward Colston statue, and the ‘Kill the Bill’ riots in Bristol. Chair of the Avon and Somerset Police Federation, Ian Prideaux, says thanks to his leadership, the Avon and Somerset force remains in good shape. Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police are asking for comments on current policing issues in a new survey. Newly-elected PCC Mark Shelford wants to know people’s opinions on how the police are tackling crime and, in particular, anti-social behaviour. The survey’s open for comments via the Avon and Somerset Police website.

    Highways England has given a start date for dualling the A303 in South Somerset. Construction will begin in September on turning the stretch between the Sparkford and Podimore roundabouts into a dual carriageway. Work on the scheme, costing £250 million pounds, is expected to take two years to complete.

    A survey into an electric car-sharing scheme in South Somerset has shown a majority of people in favour of the idea. The survey, organised by the District Council, showed 60 per cent of respondents would use the car-sharing scheme for shopping, running errands and day trips. Several others said the scheme would mean they would not need to own a car.

    Paintbrushes at the ready! Children at the Castle School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon are to get more opportunities to express themselves through art. It follows the awarding of £1500 in extra funding by Artsmark SPARK to widen the teaching of art subjects.

    More from News

    • Monday 15th December

      Toolstream in Yeovil has been put into administration, threatening the jobs of dozens of employees. NHS Somerset has issued a last chance call for people to get a flu jab after hospital admissions increased by 76% in a week. Police are investigating the theft of a bike valued at £7,000 in Sherborne... and more

    • Friday 12th December

      The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.

    • Thursday 11th December

      A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more

    • Wednesday 10th December

      Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more

    • Tuesday 9th December

      The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.

    • Monday 8th December

      Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

    • Friday 5th December

      Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.

    • Thursday 4th December

      The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 6°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 5°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 5°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 5°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 5°C

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