Local News Tuesday 6th September

Tuesday, 6 September 2022 06:00

Work has begun on building a new hard-surface runway at the Leonardo Helicopters airfield in Yeovil. The NHS in Somerset is offering patients' families training to help look after them once they leave hospital. Somerset County Council is urging the government to act more quickly over an issue that has brought new local house building almost to a standstill. The AA says more than three-fifths of UK motorists have not read recent updates to the Highway Code and another local pub has been put up for sale.

Work has begun on building a new hard-surface runway at the Leonardo Helicopters airfield in Yeovil. The first stage of the project involved constructing a support building located close to the runway. Addressing local concerns raised at a public meeting on building the new runway, Leonardo said it would allow for small fixed-wing aircraft to take off and land but that there were no plans to encourage more planes to use the airfield.

The NHS in Somerset is offering patients' families training to help look after them once they leave hospital. It's for patients who are medically well enough to leave but who still need some help with their care.

Somerset County Council is urging the government to act more quickly over an issue that has brought new local house building almost to a standstill. The council wants plans for water companies to upgrade their treatment plants brought forward to improve the removal of phosphates from sewage. The issue of nutrient neutrality has seen many housing and business developments in Somerset held up as planning permissions cannot be granted because of the resulting increased pollution into sensitive environments such as the Somerset Levels.

The AA says more than three-fifths of UK motorists have not read recent updates to the Highway Code. New guidance was issued in January giving pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders, greater priority on the roads.

Another local pub has been put up for sale. The Marston Inn at Marston Magna near Yeovil features two bars, a restaurant, and a skittle alley and stands alongside the main A359 and is being sold with a guide price of £395,000.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,