Thursday 21st March

Thursday, 21 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A four-year-long, one-million-pound regeneration project in Chard, to improve the look of the town centre is nearing completion. Bus users have criticised a decision to cut a bus route between Wells and Yeovil. Yeovil is one of only three towns in Somerset to win a place in the finals of the national Britain in Bloom competition...and more

A one-million-pound regeneration project in Chard, aimed at improving the look of the town centre, is nearing completion. The work, including laying new footpaths, repairing listed buildings and smartening up shop fronts with money from the government’s High Street Fund, has been ongoing for four years. Somerset Council, who manage the project, are hoping the improvements will attract new investment in Chard.

Bus users have criticised a decision to cut a bus route between Wells and Yeovil. The 77 bus that leaves Wells at 6.40 pm for Yeovil Monday to Saturday will run for the last time on April 6th. The Somerset Bus Partnership claims that students at Strode College who work late will be left without a bus to get them home, along with people who rely on the 77 service for journeys too-and-from work.

Wetlands in Somerset are to receive eight hundred thousand pounds of government funding to restore habitats. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust says the money will be used to improve more than three-hundred-and-seventy hectares of habitats at Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay.

Yeovil is one of only three towns in Somerset to win a place in the finals of this year’s national Britain in Bloom competition. Yeovil in Bloom is a finalist in the Large Town category, after winning gold in last year’s South West in Bloom Awards. The other towns to win through to the finals are Glastonbury and Cannington. Britain in Bloom judges will visit each of the finalists this summer with the winners announced in the autumn.

The South Somerset Tourist Information Centre at Cartgate will close at the end of the month. The TIC, located off the Cartgate roundabout on A303, has fallen victim to spending cuts at Somerset Council. The last day for the centre will be Saturday, March 30th.

More from News

Friday 21st November

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Chard. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more