Monday 29th April

Monday, 29 April 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset’s busiest speed camera in 2023 has been revealed as the camera on the westbound carriageway of the A303 between the Podimore Roundabout and the Hazelgrove Roundabout. Bus campaigners are calling on Somerset Council to keep the public toilets open at Yeovil bus station. The funeral has taken place in Yeovil of D-Day veteran, Bill Tolley, who has died at the age of 97...and more.

Somerset’s busiest speed camera in 2023 has been revealed as the camera on the westbound carriageway of the A303 between the Podimore Roundabout and the Hazelgrove Roundabout, near Yeovil. It recorded 12,005 speeding offences last year. The limit on this stretch of the A303 is 30mph. The highest speed recorded was 85mph. A speed camera on the A303 between Podimore Roundabout and Hazelgrove Roundabout travelling eastward recorded 4,227 offences. The highest speed recorded last year on all cameras in the Avon and Somerset Police area was 159 mph.

Bus campaigners are calling on Somerset Council to keep the public toilets at Yeovil bus station open. The toilets are due to close at the end of May with neither Somerset Council nor Yeovil Town Council claiming they don’t have the £70,000 needed to keep them open. The Somerset Bus Users Group wants the decision reversed, citing the experience of disabled passengers and concerns about the future of the Yeovil bus station site.

Four men have been arrested in connection with an alleged assault in Yeovil. It happened in Middle Street on Sunday, April 13th at around 1.15 am. A man suffered bruising and the loss of a tooth in the attack.

People in Somerset whose homes were flooded in January by Storm Henk may be eligible for government grants of up to £5000 to help prevent it happening again. The money is to help pay towards installing measures to reduce damage from flooding in future. Grant applications should be made through Somerset Council before the end of May.

Work has started building a new diagnostic centre at Yeovil Hospital. The 3-storey building on Higher Kingston is targeted to handle 70,000 diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments every year. During the construction, sections of footpath along Higher Kingston and the A30 Reckleford are cordoned off, with pedestrians using other routes into the hospital grounds.

The funeral has taken place in Yeovil of a D-Day veteran who has died at the age of 97. Bill Tolley served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. His funeral service was held at St John’s Church last Friday.

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Wednesday 28th January

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
Tuesday 27th January

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
Monday 26th January

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
Friday 23rd January

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.
Thursday 22nd January

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
Wednesday 21st January

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
Tuesday 20th January

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