Thursday 7th November

Thursday, 7 November 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says 900 miles of the County’s roads will be gritted on a regular basis this winter. Work will start soon to strengthen Chard Reservoir to protect local communities from flooding. The first advent calendar produced by the charity Mind in Somerset has gone on sale...and more

Somerset Council says 900 miles of the County’s roads will be gritted regularly this winter. In our area, this includes the A3088 Cartgate Link Road between Yeovil and the A303. The A358 between Chard and Williton (via Ilminster and Taunton). The A359 between Yeovil and Frome (via Sparkford, Castle Cary and Bruton) and the A371 between Wincanton and Cheddar (via Shepton Mallet and Wells). Around one-fifth of Somerset's road network will be treated, with the council prioritising major commuter routes, along with main routes to schools, hospitals and other medical facilities, and interchanges with bus and rail services.

Work will start soon strengthening Chard Reservoir to protect local communities from flooding. The scheme will involve building a low wall along one section of the reservoir to reduce the risk of the reservoir failing. Somerset Council says the chances of flood waters overflowing and leading to a failure of the dam in any given year is approximately one in 5,000, whereas, with the wall in place, this reduces to about 1 in 400,000. The scheme will be phased, with work on culverts taking place before Christmas, and work on building the wall likely to start in the New Year.

Somerset Community Foundation has started its annual Surviving Winter appeal. Every year the foundation grants money to pensioners on the lowest incomes in Somerset to help with energy costs through winter. Last year it raised more than 150 thousand pounds.

The first advent calendar produced by the charity Mind in Somerset has gone on sale. They're hoping the calendar will raise money for mental health services which they say come under greater pressure during the winter months.

More from News

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more