Disruption to rail services on the London line through Castle Cary is set to last until the end of the week. Somerset's gritting lorries travelled a record number of miles last winter. South Somerset District Council is to continue holding meetings online, for the time being. Journalist and broadcaster, Mariella Frostrup, is the new President of the Somerset branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England...andmore.
Disruption to rail services on the London line through Castle Cary is set to last until the end of the week, according to GWR. It follows hairline cracks being found in the chassis of some trains and the trains being taken out of service. Great Western is hoping things will return to normal by the weekend but says people should not travel unless the journey is essential.
Somerset's gritting lorries travelled a record number of miles last winter. The County’s fleet of 23 gritters were called out on 66 occasions and laid salt on more than 70,000 miles of local roads. In the winter of last year, the same number of vehicles salted just 44,000 miles of local roads.
South Somerset District Council is to continue holding meetings online, for the time being. Special measures banning face-to-face meetings introduced at the start of the pandemic expired last week, and organisations representing local councils are pressing the government for clarity on the issue.
Journalist and broadcaster, Mariella Frostrup, is the new President of the Somerset branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Ms Frostrup, who lives in Bruton, takes over as Head of the local CPRE from Roger Martin.
Long Hazel Park camping and caravan park at Sparkford has been voted Holiday Park of the Year in the Somerset Tourism Awards. Owners, Alan and Pamela Walton say winning the title has given them a great start to the new holiday season.
Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more