Wednesday 15th October

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 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

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