Local News Wednesday 17th August

Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:00

A senior manager at South Western Ambulance says the handover of patients to hospitals is the worst he's ever known. Ilminster has some of the worst public transport links in the south west, according to new data. People in Keinton Mandeville are campaigning against proposals for new housing development. A Yeovil landlord says the pub trade has still not fully recovered from the business lost during the pandemic and work has started in Martock connecting homes and businesses to ultrafast broadband.

A senior manager at South Western Ambulance says the handover of patients to hospitals is the worst he's ever known. Deputy Director of Clinical Care, Adrian South says the service is under "sustained pressure" and that staff are finding the work "soul-destroying". The Department of Health and Social Care says it’s given the ambulance service an extra £150 million to help deal with the current situation.

Ilminster has some of the worst public transport links in the south west, according to new data. In a report, the Campaign for Better Transport says the town has been left with no direct bus service to Yeovil and that only two buses run between Ilminster and Taunton before 9 am Monday to Saturday. The report calls for Somerset County Council to be given more powers to develop local transport networks, especially in places like Ilminster, and for free bus travel to be given to some passengers.

People in Keinton Mandeville are campaigning against proposals for new housing development. Developers, LVA, want to build 120 homes in the village.

A Yeovil landlord says the pub trade has still not fully recovered from the business lost during the pandemic. Peter Lambden, who runs the Quicksilver Mail pub at the top of Hendford Hill says people are not socialising like they used to and that coupled with rising costs and staff shortages, pubs like his continue to struggle.

Work has started in Martock connecting homes and businesses to ultrafast broadband. Gigaclear is currently installing fibre cabling in Martock where, historically, internet speeds have been slow. The company says the network should be completed early next year when it will be extended to Langport and Curry Rivel.

More from News

Wednesday 17th June

Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more
Tuesday 16th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more
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.