Monday 24th February

Monday, 24 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Leonardo Group, which owns the Leonardo Helicopter factory in Yeovil, has announced strong full-year results for 2024. A new bus station could be built in Langport. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in which a dog was fatally injured in Yeovil...and more

The Leonardo Group, which owns the Leonardo Helicopter factory in Yeovil, has announced strong full-year results for 2024. Orders increased significantly, reporting a 16.8% increase, reaching £16.5 billion compared to 2023.

A new bus station could be built in Langport. The town has been chosen in preference to Somerton for the new bus interchange, which is aimed at improving rural routes in the County. £510,000 will be spent building the interchange but Somerset Council aren’t saying when it will happen.

Somerset Council, which’s facing a funding gap of £52 million beginning in April, has been thrown a further lifeline by the government to avoid going bankrupt. After the government gave the Council permission to raise council tax by 7.5%, it has now said it can raise £63 million by borrowing more money or selling assets to meet day-to-day spending. However, Somerset Council has been told that it cannot dispose of community and heritage assets to balance its books.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a dog was fatally injured in Yeovil. The dog was with its owner in Combe Street Lane at around 6 am on Saturday, February 1st when it was hit by a car. Police say the vehicle left the scene without stopping. If you witnessed the accident or have dashcam footage call the non-emergency number 101.

The CEO of Visit Somerset, Giles Adams, says proposed changes in charges at Somerset Council-run car parks are the latest in a series of attempts to suffocate businesses in this county. Under the proposals, free parking at council-run car parks will end, together with the introduction of Sunday and overnight charges. Mr Adams claims evening visitors and those living in town, will have to pay to park, and that further pressure will be put on evening entertainment venues.

Yeovil Freewheelers has been presented with £380 by Ilminster and District Lions. The Freewheelers Blood Bikes transports urgently needed medical items across Somerset and Dorset.

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