Drivers employed by Buses of Somerset are on strike today in a pay dispute. The go-ahead has been given to build 185 new homes on the outskirts of Yeovil. Major repair works to Chard’s sewerage system are due to start later this month. A thirty-four-million pound defence contract to upgrade torpedo launch systems on board Navy frigates has been awarded to a Somerset firm and the outgoing Lord Lieutenant of Somerset says being in the role for the past eight years has been an immense privilege.
Drivers employed by Buses of Somerset are on strike today in a pay dispute. The stoppage by members of the RMT union has led to the cancellation of local services.
The routes are:
6 from Yeovil to Crewkerne
30 through Ilminster and Chard to Taunton
51 to Abbey Manor Park via Cavalier Way
54 from Yeovil and calling at Langport and Somerton
55 Curry Rivel to Strode College
58/58A from Yeovil to Henstridge and Wincanton
Meanwhile, the RMT says that unless they’re made an improved pay offer, their members will stop work on Friday, October 21st, and again on the 4th and 11th of November.
The go-ahead has been given to build 185 new homes on the outskirts of Yeovil. The new development will be located off Tintinhull Road, near the Brimsmore Garden Centre. Road access to the site will be from Tintinhull Road, with the existing junction with Coppits Hill Lane closed. To prevent any increase in phosphates, a wastewater treatment plant will be constructed on the site.
Major repair works to Chard’s sewerage system are due to start later this month. Wessex Water is planning to reline an 800-metre stretch of pipework along Furnham Road - between Chaffcombe Road and Glynswood. The work’s due to begin on Monday, October 24th last for two weeks with temporary traffic lights in operation.
A thirty-four-million pound defence contract to upgrade torpedo launch systems on board Navy frigates has been awarded to a Somerset firm. Systems Engineering and Assessment, who are based in Frome, say it will secure up to 150 jobs within the business.
The outgoing Lord Lieutenant of Somerset says being in the role for the past eight years has been an immense privilege. Annie Maw retires at the end of the month and says she will leave the role with many fond memories.
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Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.
Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more
New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more