Local News Monday 13th February

Monday, 13 February 2023 06:00

The Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil says the company's future will be bright even if they fail to secure a new government contract to replace the UK's fleet of Puma helicopters. Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says the way GP surgeries are run needs to be streamlined with better financial incentives to tackle a shortage of doctors. The Cartgate Link Road in Yeovil is closed today and for the next 10 days for the removal of diseased trees...and more.

The Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil says the company's future will be bright even if the company fails to secure a new government contract to replace the UK's fleet of Puma helicopters. Adam Clarke says they have secured lucrative contracts and that more are on the horizon. Leonardo is bidding against Boeing and Lockheed Martin to win a £1.3 billion order to build the AW149 for the RAF. Leonard says if they win the work the AW149's will be built entirely in Yeovil.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says the way GP surgeries are run needs to be streamlined with better financial incentives to tackle a shortage of doctors. He was commenting on the closure of the Springmead GP practice in Chard due to staff shortages. The government says it’s working on a workforce strategy to improve recruitment and retention in the NHS.

The A3088 Cartgate Link Road in Yeovil is closed today and for the next 10 days for the removal of diseased trees. Somerset County Council says the trees have become a hazard and need to be urgently taken down. The road between the Cartgate roundabout and the Garador roundabout will be shut every day until Friday 24th February from 7 am in the morning to 6 pm in the evening.

The second phase of improvements to Chard town centre has begun. Phase-1 of the Chard Regeneration Project has seen pavements areas widened and upgraded, new trees and flowerbeds planted, and the eastern entrance to the town made more attractive. Phase-2 will see shops on the High Street given a lick of paint and new life injected into some of Chard’s historic buildings.

A Somerset woman who set up a walking football team for people with Parkinson’s has won a national award. Caroline Pike has been given the title of Coach of the Year by the England Walking Football Association.

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Tuesday 28th July

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Monday 27th July

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Friday 24th July

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The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
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