Local News Monday 13th September

Monday, 13 September 2021 06:00

A new report claims that young people in Somerset are carrying knives because of what they see on social media. Dentists in Somerset are reporting an increase in tooth extractions since Covid restrictions were eased. A man has died in a road accident near Chard. Two pub owners on the A37 outside Yeovil are complaining about roadworks losing them business. Work begins today on relaying damaged and worn-out track on the Paddington to Penzance line at Somerton...and more.

A new report claims that young people in Somerset are carrying knives because of what they see on social media. The county's Violence Reduction Unit says young people think they need to carry knives for protection although the number of reported cases is low.

Dentists in Somerset are reporting an increase in tooth extractions since Covid restrictions were eased. During lockdown, people were unable to get appointments, which has led to a build-up of patients needing treatment now.

A man has died in a road accident near Chard. His car left the A358 at Hornsbury Hill and ended up in a ditch early Saturday morning. A woman passenger was injured in the crash. Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the accident to contact them.

Two pub owners on the A37 outside Yeovil are complaining about roadworks losing them business. The Dorchester Road between Yeovil Showground and turn off to Stofford is being closed for 13 hours a day for resurfacing. Steven Graham who runs The Red House on Dorchester Road says his takings are down 25 percent. While Pete Lambden at the Quicksilver Mail says his passing trade has all but disappeared. Somerset County Council says Dorchester Road needs resurfacing and that the work should be finished by the end of this week.

Work begins today on relaying damaged and worn-out track on the Paddington to Penzance line at Somerton. The work will take place overnight when passenger trains are not running and will last until mid-November. Network Rail says with teams working through the night people living close to the line will experience some noise nuisance.

More from News

Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more
Thursday 3rd September

Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more
Wednesday 2nd September

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more
Tuesday 1st September

One person had to be cut free from a vehicle following a two-vehicle collision on the A30 near Chard. A Yeovil man has been jailed for 7-and-a-half years for supplying cocaine and cannabis. Two Somerset teenagers have become the youngest to swim the Bristol Channel... and more
Friday 28th August

An organisation that investigates loan sharks has opened a branch in Taunton. Free parking on Sundays in Somerset's main towns could end just before Christmas. Local communities in and around Draycott will be able to take advantage of a shuttle bus service... and more.