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

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more