tuesday 3rd November

Tuesday, 3 November 2026 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it doesn’t have the money to improve its planning enforcement team. Drivers are being advised that work to replace the central barrier on the M5 near Wellington starts this week. A health food shop in Chard has been crowned High Street Shop of the Year... and more

Somerset Council says it doesn’t have the money to improve its planning enforcement team as the budget gap for next year increases to £40m. The council has struggled to hold developers to account through the planning enforcement process, relying on agency staff to carry out much of the work. A review had proposed investing an additional £475,000 to improve the service, including hiring an additional six enforcement officers, but the council says it cannot countenance the additional spending in light of wider budgetary pressures.

Drivers are being advised that work to replace the central barrier on the M5 near Wellington starts this week. The work, at junctions 26 and 25 between Wellington and Taunton, won't be completed until July of next year. National Highways say the barrier on this stretch of the M5 has reached the end of its life and needs replacing. Signed diversion routes are in operation.

A public clock that was gifted to the people of Bridgwater by British Cellophane in the 1960’ s is to be restored. The Eastover Clock stood on Broadway, close to the site of the Mercure Hotel, but was taken down in the 1970’s due to safety concerns and put into storage. Somerset Council and Bridgwater Town Council now plan to reinstate the clock, including building a new column for it to sit on.

A Chard man has been banned from driving for 39 months after his third drink-driving offence. Michael Potter, aged 40, of St Mary’s Close, reversed into a parked car before failing a breath test. He was given a 12-month community order, including 120 days of alcohol monitoring.

A health food shop in Chard has been crowned High Street Shop of the Year by the British Independent Retailers Association. Health and Remedy topped a public vote of three thousand people just over a year after it opened.

More from News

Monday 2nd November

A motorist was caught driving at 133mph on the A303 between Podimore and Sparkford, according to newly released data from Avon and Somerset Police. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre closed for the last time at the weekend. Public firework displays in Ilminster and Martock have been cancelled due to rising costs... and more
Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.