Local News Monday 6th September

Monday, 6 September 2021 06:00

More bus routes will be running across South Somerset from today. The partner of the former Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins has repeated her criticisms of the Professional Footballers Association. It’s been revealed that only one in five licensed taxis in South Somerset are wheelchair friendly. An empty bungalow in East Lambrook near South Petherton has been damaged by fire...and more.

More bus routes will be running across South Somerset from today (06-09). Buses of Somerset have introduced a new timetable to coincide with schools going back after the summer break and an easing of coronavirus restrictions. Meanwhile, limits on using concessionary bus passes will restart from today with an end to free bus travel before 9:30 am.

The partner of the former Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins has repeated her criticisms of the Professional Footballers Association for not giving professional players enough support at moments of crisis. Lee took his own life earlier this year after being treated for an addiction to alcohol and gambling. Rachel Gibbon says PFA needs to give a higher priority to help players suffering from mental health issues.

It’s been revealed that only one in five licensed taxis in South Somerset are wheelchair friendly. The figures from the Department for Transport show that of the 246 taxis operating in South Somerset only 48, around 20% of all vehicles, can be used by people in wheelchairs. The disability charity, Scope, says the lack of accessible public transport is robbing disabled people of their independence.

An empty bungalow in East Lambrook near South Petherton has been damaged by fire. Crews from Ilminster, Crewkerne and Somerton were brought in to tackle the blaze at the property on Owl Street.

A motorist in Marston Magna has been fined £230 for exceeding the speed limit on the A303 in South Somerset. Richard Norman pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a trailer at 79mph on the A303 east of Sparkford in June of this year.

A chef in South Somerset has won through to the semi-finals of a competition to find Britain's Best Young Chef. 28-year-old Ben Champkin works at The Newt, near Bruton. Ben says due to his age this will be his last chance of winning the title.

A Yeovil man is attempting to complete eight marathons in eight days for charity. Neil Rhodes is running 189 miles across North Yorkshire in aid of The Brain Charity. So far, Neil, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2003, has already completed three marathons since embarking on the challenge on Saturday.

More from News

Monday 2nd March

The Leonardo factory in Yeovil has won a multi-million pound contract to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. A doctor, who previously worked at Yeovil Hospital, has appeared in court charged with illegally accessing NHS computers. A new Construction Innovation Centre has opened at Yeovil College... and more
Friday 27th February

The CEO of Leonardo has suggested the UK government could make an announcement immindently about ordering new medium lift helicopters to be built in Yeovil. A family run hardware business in Yeovil has gone into administration. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has been named the new patron of Somerset Chamber of Commerce... and more
Thursday 26th February

Workers at Leonardo in Yeovil have been to Downing Street to hand-in a petition calling on the government to back British jobs. The decision to grant planning permission to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been enthusiastically welcomed by staff who work there. The search is on to find a defibrillator that has gone missing in Chard... and more
Wednesday 25th February

Plans have been passed to carry out a £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. A new medical unit providing NHS and private treatments has opened in Shepton Mallet. Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard is celebrating after receiving a Gold Artsmark for excellence in arts and cultural education...and more
Tuesday 24th February

First Bus has announced changes to bus timetables on routes across Somerset. A Somerset drone company is celebrating getting through the audition round of ITV’s Britain's Got Talent. A public footpath in South Somerset is set to remain closed for up to two years... and more
Monday 23rd February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened... and more
Friday 20th February

10,000 incidents of potholes on Somerset’s roads have been reported to Somerset Council in the past four weeks. The Met Office is warning of more unsettled weather into March for Somerset. The Crowshute link in Chard will close for eight nights next month for road repairs... and more
Thursday 19th February

Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more