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.

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Monday 30th June

The Care Quality Commission has published its report into the running of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. A public consultation has been launched into plans to build 150 new homes at Horton near Ilminster. A Chard man has embarked on walking 75 miles across Somerset, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance...and more
Friday 27th June

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for Yeovil Hospital to be included in the government's national review of NHS maternity services. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with four counts of fraud. Yeovil Town players will be modelling the club’s new home and away strip at Huish Park this evening...and more.
Thursday 26th June

Thousands more music fans will arrive at Worthy Farm for the start of Glastonbury Festival. The government has granted Somerset Council a stay of execution, allowing it to defer a spending deficit on special needs education. A party has been held to mark the 100th birthday of a Somerset woman who has lived in the same house for 100 years...and more.
Wednesday 25th June

Businesses at the Cartgate services off the A303 near Yeovil say they feel threatened by Welcome Break Ltd's plans to build a new, bigger services area right next door. A man who lives in Tintinhull, found nearly double the drink drive limit, has been given a 20-month driving ban. Police are warning of fake tickets being on sale for Glastonbury Festival...and more
Tuesday 24th June

There’s been a drop in the number of potholes being filled in on Somerset’s roads. A Somerset company has developed a new type of un-crewed helicopter. A man has cycled from Spain to Somerset to attend Glastonbury Festival...and more
Monday 23rd June

Plans have been submitted to build a motorway-style service station at Cartgate on the A303. Police are asking for the public’s help in tracing those responsible for two house break-ins in Yeovil. A Community Champion at Tesco in Chard has been rewarded for her work supporting the local community...and more.
Friday 20th June

A fire at Pen Mill Football Club’s ground in Yeovil is being treated as deliberate. A former Principal of Yeovil College has been awarded an OBE in the King's Honours List. The Met Office is warning of high pollen levels in Somerset as temperatures rise into the high 20’s...and more
Thursday 19th June

The Met Office has issued a yellow heat warning for Somerset, effective until Sunday evening. One person was taken to hospital with injuries following a two-vehicle crash on A3088 Cartgate Link Road. Plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville have been given the go-ahead...and more