Thursday 4th December

Thursday, 4 December 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Sarah Crew acknowledged that police resources for dealing with anti-social behaviour were limited, but insisted her officers were making a difference.

Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. The Council was proposing to introduce charges for its car parks, which are currently free on Sundays, to ensure consistency across the county. But following a public consultation, in which a majority of people said they were against the proposal, the Council’s Climate and Place Scrutiny Committee has recommended that, for the moment, not implementing the charging policy.

People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for elective hospital treatment following the introduction of a new scoring system. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says patients who met specific criteria are being treated at Musgrove Park Hospital three to four months sooner than other patients. The Trust says the new scoring system will shortly be introduced at Yeovil Hospital to help reduce waiting times for surgery for specific patient categories.

Somerset Road Safety is asking drivers to make sure their cars are winter-ready. National Highways say that winter breakdowns on motorways and A-roads have risen by 21% over the last five years.

This week marks the 80th anniversary of the first JET aircraft landing on an aircraft carrier at sea. The record was achieved by Royal Navy test pilot, Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown, who flew a Sea Vampire onto the deck of HMS Ocean off the Dorset coast. The Sea Vampire is currently on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton.

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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