Local News Monday 22nd May

Monday, 22 May 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Five thousand people have now signed a petition opposing plans to close the acute stroke ward at Yeovil Hospital. People in Queen Camel have launched a crowdfunding appeal to help repair the damage caused by the major flooding event of two weeks ago. The main A30 through West Coker is to shut for six weeks this summer for resurfacing and new traffic lights...and more.

Five thousand people have now signed a petition opposing plans to close the acute stroke ward at Yeovil Hospital. NHS Somerset wants to shut the Yeovil unit and centralise stroke services at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. Both Yeovil and Musgrove Park hospitals have stroke units but NHS Somerset says a shortage of specialist staff means they can’t provide twenty-four-hour cover.

People in Queen Camel have launched a crowdfunding appeal to help repair the damage caused by the major flooding event of two weeks ago.

The main A30 through West Coker is to shut for six weeks this summer for resurfacing and new traffic lights. The road will close between the Coker Hill Bridge and Green Lane from Saturday, July 22nd to Monday, September 4th. The new traffic lights will be installed by the Post Office at the junction of High Street with Church Street and East Street. Motorists using the A30 to drive into Yeovil from Chard and Crewkerne will be diverted along the A356 and onto the A303 adding seventeen miles to the journey.

A twenty-year-old man has been jailed for twenty-eight months for supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Yeovil. Taunton Crown Court was told that Seamus Ford of Eastleigh in Hampshire was arrested during a policing operation targeted at County Lines Drugs dealing.

Plans have been submitted to convert a former day centre in Chard into a special needs school. The building on Wilkins Close, previously called the Laurels, closed as a day centre in 2020 and is now owned by Somerset Council. Three Dimensions Ltd has applied for planning permission to convert the building to a special school for up to thirty pupils.

A new leaflet's been produced to help cyclists discover more of Somerset. It’s divided into eight sections exploring country lanes, market towns and villages, covering eighty miles of cycleways. The leaflet's free and is available from tourist information centres.

Councillor Leanne Taylor was re-elected Mayor of Ilminster at the Town Council's annual meeting. Councillor Brian Hamilton was re-elected to act as her deputy.

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Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

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
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more
Friday 17th July

Plans have been submitted to build 30 new homes in Ashill. As the heatwave continues, a Somerset air conditioning business says demand for its services has never been higher. Morrisons has confirmed it will close its Glenthorne Avenue store in Yeovil on August 1st... and more
Thursday 16th July

Plans to build up to one hundred new homes on Yeovil's former cattle market have moved a step closer. It’s being made easier for parents in Somerset to register children for free school meals. Wessex Water says it has no plans for a hosepipe ban at the moment but is keeping a close eye on supplies as demand increases... and more
Wednesday 15th July

Bus passengers in Yeovil have been provided with easier access to the town's bus station. Firefighters are warning of an increased risk of wildfires because of the hot weather. Aldi is asking for public comments on plans to build a new food store in Chard... and more
Tuesday 14th July

A Martock machinery business has been bought out of administration saving the jobs of 15 employees. A Somerton man has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving after a car crashed into a house in Martock. Drivers are being reminded that the A303 between South Petherton and Ilminster will be closed in both directions overnight from tonight... and more
Monday 13th July

Somerset Council says it's lost £91 million on commercial property investments. The former Clay Pigeon Karting Track near Yeovil is to be turned into a holiday park. The fire service is warning the dry conditions continue to pose a risk of grass fires... and more