Friday 15th November

Friday, 15 November 2024 05:00

By Steve Haigh

National Highways says the scheme to dual the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford has been designed in the interests of motorists, horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. An investigation has been launched after a teenage girl was forced into a car in Wincanton. The number of children in Somerset being home-educated has nearly doubled since the Covid pandemic...and more

National Highways says the scheme to dual the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford has been designed to benefit motorists, horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. Along the three-and-a-half-mile stretch of new highway, National Highways has included specially designed access points to make the area safer for horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians.

An investigation has been launched after a teenage girl was forced into a car in Wincanton. It happened just after half past ten last Tuesday night. The girl was followed by a car near the junction of The Batch and Shadwell Lane. She was grabbed and bundled into the car but managed to escape and run away. The car is described as a dark-coloured, five-door hatchback. If you witnessed the incident or have information that would help the police, you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

The number of children in Somerset being home-educated has nearly doubled since the Covid pandemic. New data show that in the last four years, the number of children being home-schooled in Somerset has risen from 477 to nearly 900. The Children's Commissioner has expressed her shock at the figures, claiming it’s because children’s needs aren't being met by mainstream schools.

Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke has expressed disappointment over delays rolling out rural fibre broadband in parts of her constituency. Fibre installer, Airband, had aimed to deliver high-speed broadband to more than 55,000 premises in rural Somerset and Devon by the end of this year but now says only 27,000 premises will be connected. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sarah Dyke called on the government to ensure the interests of rural communities, that depend on broadband access for economic and social well-being, are properly listened to.

And, how would you fancy dressing up as Father Christmas to help set a world record? Clark’s Village in Street is planning an attempt on the record for the most Father Christmas skating on an ice rink at any one time, using the ice rink that has been opened for the festive season at the shopping outlet.

More from News

Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more
Friday 11th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in Yeovil in which a man riding an e-bike was injured and later died in hospital. Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the number of false alarm calls it receives is on the increase. A new micro-pub opens in Chard next week...and more
Thursday 10th April

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for more targeted support for schools in Somerset. Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident near Wells in which a cyclist died. Plans have been approved to convert a former care home in Yeovil into a house of multiple occupation...and more
Wednesday 9th April

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for stabbing another man in a pub in the town. Work is underway to help minimize the flood risk at Chard Reservoir. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-six new homes at Sparkford. A new Town Crier is needed in Glastonbury...and more
Tuesday 8th April

Work is underway to demolish the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving for a third time. Somerset Council has paid £35,000 in compensation for failing to deliver the right support to children with special educational needs. Another shop in Yeovil town centre is closing for good today...and more