Wednesday 15th October

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital is to reopen within the next six months. There’s been a further delay to reopening Yeovil’s Octagon theatre. No CrossCountry trains will run through Somerset this weekend due to planned industrial action by the RMT union...and more.

There’s relief in Yeovil following news that the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital is to reopen within the next six months. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Yeovil Hospital, says it plans to reopen the maternity unit, along with the Special Care Baby Unit, by April next year. Both units were closed in May following safety concerns.

There’s been a further delay to reopening Yeovil’s Octagon theatre. Somerset Council had planned to submit its business case to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, requesting £15 million to refurbish the Octagon by the end of 2025. However, the Council now states that this will not occur until the scheme to upgrade the Octagon has been granted planning permission, which is not expected until the summer of next year. The Council says it plans to submit its final business case to the DCMS by the end of 2026, with the theatre reopening in 2029.

Volunteers are needed to help maintain a cycleway linking Ilminster with Chard. It follows a decision by Sustrans, which opened the path in 2008, to stop maintaining it. The path, known as the Stop Line Way, also acts as a bridleway from Ilminster to Peasmarsh.

A new self-referral service to detect the early signs of lung cancer has been launched in Somerset. The service, which is available in
Ilminster, Chard, and Langport are aimed at patients aged 40 and above with symptoms such as a persistent cough or breathlessness.

No CrossCountry trains will run through Somerset this weekend due to planned industrial action by members of the RMT union. They’re due to walk out for 24 hours on Saturday in a dispute over pay. Passengers planning to use Cross Country services this weekend are advised to check the Cross Country website before setting off.

A road in Closworth will be shut to traffic on Friday. Yeovil Road will close at its junction with Sutton Bingham Church Lane to allow Openreach to replace a telegraph pole.

More from News

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.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more