Local News Friday 20th May

    A threat of closure that’s been hanging over Somerset’s minor injuries units has been lifted. More people than ever are working on the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. Cyclists travelling across Chard could soon enjoy a much safer ride under plans to complete a coast-to-coast cycle route through the West Country. A new 'super' national nature reserve is being created on the Somerset Levels and Moors and a Somerset cider producer has teamed up with one of the world’s largest whisky brands to create a new alcoholic product.

    A threat of closure that’s been hanging over Somerset’s minor injuries units has been lifted. The county’s seven minor injuries units, including one in Chard, were due to shut and be replaced by the new GP community pharmacy service but in a statement, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, says the setting up of the new GP community pharmacy service will not lead to any MIU being closed down or replaced.

    More people than ever are working on the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. More than seven-and-a-half thousand workers are on-site and another one thousand will join them this year. It means plenty of jobs for Somerset but there are also concerns the project is pushing up the cost of renting or buying a home in the local area.

    Cyclists travelling across Chard could soon enjoy a much safer ride under plans to complete a coast-to-coast cycle route through the West Country. Sustrans cycle route 33, known as the Stop Line Way, runs for 75 miles from Weston-super-mare to Axminster, via Chard and Ilminster. South Somerset District Council area west committee has committed £12,000 to a new study to identify options for diverting the route off-road, which could be implemented by the new unitary Somerset Council that comes into being in April next year. The Stop Line Way is named after the Stop Taunton Line, built by the military in 1940 as a defence against a land invasion by German troops during the Second World War.

    A new 'super' national nature reserve is being created on the Somerset Levels and Moors. It's only the second one of its kind and will see more than six thousand hectares form the 'Somerset Wetlands'. Seven organisations will oversee the reserve. 

    A Somerset cider producer has teamed up with one of the world’s largest whisky brands to create a new alcoholic product. Somerset Cider Brandy Company at Kingsbury Episcopi has joined forces with Glenfiddich to produce a new apple whisky. 

    More from News

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    • Thursday 24th July

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    • Wednesday 23rd July

      Somerset Council is planning to open twelve new Special Educational Needs units in mainstream schools. Yeovil Hospital is participating in a trial that could revolutionise the treatment of sepsis within the NHS. A 55-acre site in Chard, with plans approved to build 295 homes and a new football ground, has been put up for sale...and more

    • Tuesday 22nd July

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    • Monday 21st July

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    • Friday 18th July

      EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more

    • Thursday 17th July

      Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more

    • Wednesday 16th July

      A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 23°C | Low: 15°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 14°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 14°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 24°C | Low: 15°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 15°C