Local News Tuesday 27th July

Tuesday, 27 July 2021 06:00

Avon and Somerset police are launching a summer crackdown, to catch speeding drivers. Great Western Railway, who run trains through Castle Cary, is operating a reduced timetable. There are fears Chard could be hit by further serious flooding. The Government is being asked to intervene to get house building moving in Somerset...and more.

Avon and Somerset police are launching a summer crackdown, working with community volunteers, to catch speeding drivers. Chief inspector Jason Shears says speed is a key factor in most accidents and is asking drivers to slow down.

Great Western Railway, who run trains through Castle Cary, is operating a reduced timetable due to large numbers of staff self-isolating. GWR’s James Davis says a number of services will not be running as normal this week.

If you’ve missed a recycling collection, your next pick-up will be next week. Somerset Waste Partnership says due to large numbers of staff self-isolating, they can’t return for missed collections within the two days they promise. SWP says the problem is likely to continue well into next month.

There are fears Chard could be hit by further serious flooding. Local Mayor, Jason Baker, believes the major flood in Chard earlier in the month was caused by blocked drains. Parts of the town were again left under water at the weekend. Councilor Baker is calling for a full survey of all the drains in Chard and, where necessary, carry out urgent repairs.

The Government is being asked to intervene to get house building moving in Somerset. Applications to build 11,000 new homes are currently on hold due to fears about high levels of phosphate entering the Somerset Levels. Natural England has told councils that a Habitat Regulation Assessment has to be applied to new housing applications before the plans are determined. Councils say the assessments are taking them longer than expected to carry out.

A farm in Bruton is taking part in a pioneering ear tagging trial. Godminster Farm attaches software to a cow’s ear that sends a text to the farmer saying how the cow is doing. The project has helped Godminster Farm win the title of UK Best Organic Farm.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more