Thursday 24th September

Thursday, 24 September 2026 06:30

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. A person had to be transferred to hospital after an incident in Chard. A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas... and more.

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. The government has provided £50m which will be spent on improving drainage and local flood defences. It follows years of major flooding incidents across the county including the latest which hit in January. The plan for how to spend the cash was decided on by the council's executive committee yesterday and a Flood Resilience Fund Programme Advistory Group (PAG) has been established to monitor progress and keep all parties informed as the scheme progresses.

A person had to be transferred to hospital by air ambulance on Tuesday night, after an incident near Greggs on Chard’s Tapstone Business Park. Emergency services were called to the location at 8.45pm and confirmed a person had been taken to Yeovil District Hospital.

A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas after Somerset Council secured a final injunction at the High Court. The Greenacres site on Oxen Lane has been subject to a number of legal challenges since 2009, with what was described as “unauthorised work” beginning in October 2024. The High Court hearing means the remaining residents have been given three months to leave.

To mark International Week of Deaf People, Avon & Somerset Police are reminding us how the hard of hearing and deafblind people can contact them. In emergencies, callers can use British Sign Language using the 999 BSL video relay service or app. For the equivalent of a non-emergency 101 call, the ‘Convo’ service can be used, connecting caller to a qualified online sign language interpreter. Text Relay can also be used. Meanwhile, Avon & Somerset Police have a number of sign language and deaf awareness-trained staff. Details here.

An Ilminster-based pest control company has been named sole trader of the year at the National Pest Awards. Squeak-a-Boo Pest Management was revealed as the winner at a ceremony in London earlier this month.

More from News

Wednesday 23rd September

Police will take no further action after a year-long fraud probe in Glastonbury. Leonardo has chosen Somerset for its first international future talent programme. Three motorway services in Somerset have been rated as some of the worst in the country ... and more.
Tuesday 22nd September

Children with special needs could have a better chance of moving to a new school, without delay or disruption. A former Castle Cary pub is to be turned into a private house. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre may have to close at the end of next month... and more.
Monday 21st September

Wessex Water's contacting large businesses, asking them to use less water. A ‘serious collision’ closed a stretch of the A30 in both directions yesterday afternoon.Two Somerset charities have benefitted from a combined £64,000, thanks to the Leonardo Rising Stars.
Friday 18th September

Three people from Yeovil have been sentenced after admitting offences linked to the theft and illegal supply of prescription-only medicines. An ancient burial site on the Quantocks has been damaged. Chard Guildhall is open for public viewing today... and more
Thursday 17th September

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18,000 shoplifting offences have been recorded in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the last financial year. A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Forefront Community Centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together in the town... and more
Wednesday 16th September

A pilot with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance says there will be 'catastrophic' consequences if laser pointers continue to be pointed at their aircraft. Plans to build forty new homes in the village of Curry Rivel have been given the go ahead. The owner of a ram called Rambo in Keinton Mandeville has thanked firefighters for rescuing him after he got stuck in a concrete pipe... and more
Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more