No money has been committed to major new road projects in Somerset. A road linking Chard and Clayhanger has been closed after it collapsed due to badgers burrowing under the surface. The Bishop of Bath and Wells is on day-2 of his pilgrimage across Somerset to mark the holy week of Easter... and more
No money has been committed to major new road projects in Somerset under the government's new road investment strategy just announced. Yeovil MP Adam Dance had been pushing for an upgrade to the Southfields roundabout and dualling of the A303 between Ilminster and South Petherton but neither have been included in the strategy. The proposed junction 22a off the M5 to serve the new £4billion pound gigafactory near Bridgwater has also been excluded.
An unclassified road that links Chard and Clayhanger has been closed for safety reasons after it partially collapsed due to badgers burrowing under the surface. Somerset Council says it’s asked Natural England to issue a licence for repair work to begin, as badgers are a protected species.
A trial has started in Somerset in which dentists are teaming up with primary schools to give guidance to teachers and pupils on toothbrushing and oral health. The programme involves teaching children about the ‘dental magic routine’.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverend Michael Beasley, is on day-2 of his pilgrimage across Exmoor and the Quantocks to mark the holy week of Easter. Bishop Michael is stopping at churches and local events along the way.
A former hairdresser's shop in Merriott could be converted into a two-bedroom home. Plans have been submitted for a change of use on 2, Broadway in Merriot claiming the proposal will deliver a long-term viable use for the building.
Memorabilia of a famous Somerset racehorse is being auctioned today. Kauto Star, trained by Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat, was a two-times Gold Cup winner and five times winner of the King George Sixth Chase. His owner, Clive Smith, passed away in 2024 and his collection is being sold off by Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne.
It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more