Thursday 11th January

Thursday, 11 January 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There was a ten per cent increase in drivers arrested for drinking or taking drugs in the Avon and Somerset Police area over the Christmas period. Plans have been approved to build a further fifty-nine new homes in Somerton. Police are asking for help identifying a man filmed on CCTV smashing the windows of a barber shop in Crewkerne... and more.

There was a ten per cent increase in drivers arrested for drinking or taking drugs in the Avon and Somerset Police area over the Christmas period. Three hundred and twenty-four drivers were arrested as part of Operation Tonic in December, with drink driving accounting for sixty-eight per cent of offences. Around two thousand drivers in total were stopped.

Plans have been approved to build a further fifty-nine new homes to be built in Somerton. The houses will be built between Bancombe Road and Bradley Hill Lane, as part of the Somerton Mead development. Somerset Council says it’ll be the end of the year now before a decision is made on the final phase of the Somerton Mead site, which includes a pedestrian link to the King Ina Church of England Academy.

An overnight road closure is planned on the A303 later this month. National Highways says it will shut the eastbound carriageway between Podimore and the Steart Hill Junction to begin work building a new westbound dual carriageway. The closure will take place from 9 pm Friday, January 19th to 6 am Saturday, January 20th. Access will remain for local residents, with diversions in place for all other road users.

Police are asking people to report bike thefts more quickly. They say they need to be told immediately if a theft happens to stand any chance of recovering the stolen bike. The plea follows figures showing that 200 bikes are stolen nationally every day with only one in ten returned to its lawful owner.

A new group, giving women who have been widowed a chance to meet up, has had its first meeting in Somerton. Called ‘The Merry Widows’, the group focus on building a new life after the loss of a loved one. The sessions are held at the White Hart in Somerton, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Police are asking for help identifying a man seen smashing the windows of a barber shop in Crewkerne. The man was filmed on CCTV breaking the windows of Hawa Barbers in Market Street in the early hours of Friday 29 September. An image of him can be viewed on the Avon and Somerset Police website.

More from News

Thursday 29th January

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
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