Local News Friday 4th June

    Strawberries grown in Somerset this year are set to be bigger and juicier thanks to unseasonal weather in May. Drivers travelling between the A303 Ilminster bypass and the M5 may have to wait until 2028 for the journey to take less time. The Environment Agency says there’s ‘no quick fix’ to the problem of water pollution in protected habitats on Somerset's Levels. People in South Somerset have until 5 pm today to vote on the planned changes to local government in the County...and more.

    Strawberries grown in Somerset this year are set to be bigger and juicier thanks to unseasonal weather in May. Fruit farmers in the County claim the local strawberry crop this summer will be one of the tastiest on record

    Drivers travelling between the A303 Ilminster bypass and the M5 may have to wait until 2028 for the journey to take less time. Highways England plan to dual the A358 between the Southfields roundabout near Ilminster and Junction 25 on the M5 at Taunton to make it easier to get between the two places but before work can start, the public has to be consulted on the plans and detailed design work carried out which could take several more years to complete.

    The Environment Agency says there’s ‘no quick fix’ to the problem of water pollution in protected habitats on Somerset's Levels. Natural England has downgraded the water quality status of some sites on the Levels and called for urgent action to reduce pollutants, called phosphates, which harm wildlife. 

    People in South Somerset have until 5 pm today (04-06) to vote on the planned changes to local government in the County. The government is considering replacing Somerset’s five existing councils with one or two councils. The one council option is supported by the County Council. The two council option, with one based on the eastern side of Somerset, the other on the western side and this proposal is supported by Somerset’s four District Councils. The result of the poll is due to be announced on Monday.

    A new subscription service for using e-scooters in Yeovil has been launched. Z-wings, who run the e-scooters in the town, has introduced a Z-wings Ride Pass for riders to buy passes based on how much they use e-scooters. Four pass options are available ranging in price from £50 to just £5.

    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

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 15°C | Low: 9°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 15°C | Low: 8°C

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