Local News Thursday 30th September

    Yeovil Hospital failed to meet government targets on cancer treatment over a two-year period, according to figures from Cancer Research UK. National Highways says the A303 at Marsh on the Somerset/Devon border will not be upgraded if plans to dual the A358 between Ilminster and the M5 are approved. Three areas of Wincanton could see big improvements in the New Year. A Merriot man has embarked on running 52 half marathons to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

    Yeovil Hospital failed to meet government targets on cancer treatment over a two-year period, according to figures from Cancer Research UK. The charity says NHS policy states that 85% of cancer patients urgently referred by a GP should start treatment within 62 days. However, between April 2019 and July this year, Yeovil Hospital missed the target. Cancer Research UK says a radical reform of screening and diagnostic services is needed, backed up by longer-term investment. The Department of Health and Social Care says its providing record investment in the NHS, including an additional £9 billion for elective and cancer care.

    National Highways says the A303 at Marsh on the Somerset/Devon border will not be upgraded if plans to dual the A358 between Ilminster and the M5 are approved. Meanwhile, Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says he’s continuing to lobby the government to dual the A303 Ilminster bypass, as part of the next roads investment strategy from 2025.

    Three areas of Wincanton could see big improvements in the New Year. As part of plans to regenerate the town, South Somerset District Council say work will begin early in 2022 on improving Carrington Way, High Street and Market Place. In Carrington Way, a road crossing will be created with a planted areas introduced in front of the library. The scheme will also see the junction with High Street enhanced through wider pavements. On the High Street, pavements will be widened and two new on-street parking bays introduced. In Market Place, safer road crossing points will be created, along with new-planted areas and improvements to existing historic buildings.

    A Merriot man has embarked on running 52 half marathons to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. Carl Hedges is also running 52, 10K’s and 52, 5k’s in memory of his grandfather Kevin Hedges who died of heart failure. Carl aims to complete the challenge by Christmas and will have covered the equivalent distance from London to Rome.

    More from News

    • Thursday 30th October

      Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more

    • Wednesday 29th October

      Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.

    • Tuesday 28th October

      Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more

    • Monday 27th October

      The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more

    • Friday 24th October

      New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more

    • Thursday 23rd October

      Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more

    • Wednesday 22nd October

      A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .

    • Tuesday 21st October

      Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Low-level cloud

      High: 13°C | Low: 12°C

    • Chard

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Crewkerne

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Somerton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Wincanton

      Low-level cloud

      High: 13°C | Low: 12°C

    Recently Played