Tuesday 24th June

Tuesday, 24 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There’s been a drop in the number of potholes being filled in on Somerset’s roads. A Somerset company has developed a new type of un-crewed helicopter. A man has cycled from Spain to Somerset to attend Glastonbury Festival...and more

There’s been a drop in the number of potholes being filled in on Somerset’s roads. In the financial year, April 2024 to April 2025, 24,483 potholes were repaired compared to 28,574 in the previous financial year. This, despite the government giving Somerset Council an extra £3.5 million to fix potholes. The Council says the figures don’t tell a full story as some roads were resurfaced rather than having potholes filled in.

A Somerset company has developed a new type of un-crewed helicopter. The aircraft designed by Certo Aerospace Limited, based in Frome, is the first in the UK to be fitted with a coaxial rotor head, allowing it to be flown remotely.

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling on the government to review how it deals with littering. He wants greater focus put on the impact of littering on public health, especially as it affects people in rural areas. Mr Dance is also asking for more investment in rural recycling infrastructure and better support for councils to enforce the existing littering laws.

Wessex Internet has secured £50 million in investment from the National Wealth Fund to expand its fibre coverage to homes and businesses. The company says the cash will be used to bring faster broadband to hard-to-reach areas, including in South Somerset.

Recycling and rubbish collections start at the earlier time of 6 am in parts of the broadcast area from today. Somerset Council says the change of start time is to avoid bin crews getting stuck in extra traffic on local roads travelling to the Glastonbury festival.

The A361 between Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury will be closed for 26 days, commencing on Sunday, 28 July. It’s to allow Wales & West Utilities to lay a new gas main at Fishers Hill and for drainage work to take place outside Millfield Prep School.

A man has cycled from Spain to Somerset to attend the Glastonbury Festival. Ollie White, who lives in Madrid, has covered 60 miles every day over the last 3 weeks and is due to arrive at Worthy Farm today. Meanwhile, the Met Office has published its 5-day forecast for Glastonbury. Tomorrow in Pilton will be cloudy with sunny intervals. Thursday will be overcast, with sunshine expected by late morning. Friday could see showers early on. Saturday and Sunday will be mostly cloudy.

More from News

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
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