Local News Thursday 6th October

Thursday, 6 October 2022 06:00

Bus workers in Somerset are to take strike action next week, in a continuing row over pay and conditions. People living in the village of Hatch Beauchamp are calling for the scrapping of plans to turn the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton into a four-lane expressway. A Yeovil man’s been jailed for throwing bleach and other items at police during a five-hour siege. There’s been a big increase in abandoned pets in Somerset...and more.

Bus workers in Somerset are to take strike action next week, in a continuing row over pay and conditions. The RMT union has notified bus operators that its members will stop work on the 10th and 21st of October and the 4th and 11th of November. Meanwhile, strike action is taking place on the railways for the rest of the week causing significant disruption to travellers in Somerset. No trains ran in the county yesterday and up until Saturday, only a limited service will operate.

People living in the village of Hatch Beauchamp are calling for the scrapping of plans to turn the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton into a four-lane expressway. Yesterday, they staged a protest at a meeting of Somerset County Council describing the plan by National Highways as “overkill” and claiming it would bisect local communities.

A Yeovil man’s been jailed for throwing bleach and other items at police during a five-hour siege. Taunton Crown Court was told that William Price threw bleach at an officer after he’d taken over his ex-partner's property by locking her out. Some of the liquid made contact with the officer's face, narrowly missing his eyes. Price, of West Coker Road, admitted affray and was sent to prison for 14 months.

There’s been a big increase in abandoned pets in Somerset. The RSPCA says that compared to this time last year, the number of pets abandoned by owners has risen by a quarter. The charity says the cost of living crisis has led to fewer people being able to look after their pets.

Taunton is to get a town council for the first time in 50 years. Taunton has been the only part of Somerset without a town or parish council. Elections to fill the twenty seats on the new authority will be held in May next year.

The A303 Ilminster by-pass is due to close overnight for four nights later this month. The closure takes place on October 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st between 9 pm and 6 am with a diversion in operation. It’s to allow for repair work to take place along the entire length of the by-pass.

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Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more