Friday 28th August

Friday, 28 August 2026 06:30

An organisation that investigates loan sharks has opened a branch in Taunton. Free parking on Sundays in Somerset's main towns could end just before Christmas. Local communities in and around Draycott will be able to take advantage of a shuttle bus service... and more.

An organisation that investigates loan sharks has opened a branch in Taunton - offering support for victims. The England Illegal Money Lending team is based at the Priorswood Community Centre. They say 1.7 million people are in debt to a loan shark in the UK.

Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police's Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) has seized cryptocurrency and cash assets worth more than £1 million. The specialist investigation resulted in the forfeiture of Bitcoin, other crypto assets and funds held in a bank account with the combined value of over £1 million. This is the largest cryptocurrency seizure by Avon & Somerset Police since the introduction of crypto wallet freezing orders in the spring of 2024.

Free parking on Sundays in Somerset's main towns could end just before Christmas. The Somerset Parking Review and Charging Principles Framework is intended to bring a fair approach to parking fees in the county, ironing out disparities in practice between different towns. The new tariffs for each car park could be introduced in December with all car parks on a sliding scale of fees depending on location and usage. There will be no changes in the short-term to free car parks or current on-street parking arrangements.

Local communities in and around Draycott will be able to take advantage of a shuttle bus service whilst the A371 is closed for essential gas mains work next month. Wales and West Utilities is relaying the mains supply and will need to close the road while the work is carried out from this Tuesday 1^st September to Sunday 11th October. The shuttle bus service will make sure that residents are able to get to schools and colleges, access healthcare and other essential services, in line with the existing public transport network, linking Draycott to Wells and Cheddar.

With another bank holiday weekend ahead, a reminder that there will be no recycling or rubbish collections on bank holiday Monday. All collections will take place one day later than usual next week. If opening on a Monday is part of a Recycling Site’s opening days, then it will be open as usual from 9am to 6pm.

More from News

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
Thursday 3rd September

Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more
Wednesday 2nd September

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more