Local News Tuesday 11th July

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:00

The next stage of Yeovil’s town centre refurbishment project has begun this week. The future of a popular Chard to Yeovil bus route has been confirmed after Somerset Council reappointed South West Coaches to run the service. A cycling tour of all 18 county cricket grounds in England and Wales has begun, in memory of former Somerset County Cricket chairman Charles Clark...and more.

The next stage of Yeovil’s town centre refurbishment project has begun this week. Construction has started in Middle Street as part of the Yeovil Refresh scheme. Somerset Council say the work will take place ‘sequentially’ to minimise disruption.

The future of a popular Chard to Yeovil bus route has been confirmed after Somerset Council reappointed South West Coaches to run the service. The number 96 connects Chard, Crewkerne, Misterton, North Perrott, East Chinnock and West Coker with Yeovil. The news follows the Council’s announcement that free shuttle buses will be laid on to connect the number 96 and number 6 services during the summer holidays, whilst the A30 through West Coker is resurfaced.

Also in Chard, residents are being given the opportunity to improve their smartphone, tablet and laptop skills, thanks to a local IT project. SPARK Somerset is expanding its digital café network, with sessions taking place in the town on Fridays between 10 and midday at the Eleos Café in Fore Street. Project Manager, Samantha Briggs, says the service will help those struggling to operate their devices and teach the skills needed to access everything from online GP appointments to discovering new entertainment.

A cycling tour of all 18 county cricket grounds in England and Wales has begun, in memory of former Somerset County Cricket chairman Charles Clark. The challenge will raise cash for Cancer Research UK and a cricket charity. Charles’ son James is one of the three-man team taking part and says he shared a love of the game with his dad.

More from News

Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
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