Thursday 11th January

Thursday, 11 January 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There was a ten per cent increase in drivers arrested for drinking or taking drugs in the Avon and Somerset Police area over the Christmas period. Plans have been approved to build a further fifty-nine new homes in Somerton. Police are asking for help identifying a man filmed on CCTV smashing the windows of a barber shop in Crewkerne... and more.

There was a ten per cent increase in drivers arrested for drinking or taking drugs in the Avon and Somerset Police area over the Christmas period. Three hundred and twenty-four drivers were arrested as part of Operation Tonic in December, with drink driving accounting for sixty-eight per cent of offences. Around two thousand drivers in total were stopped.

Plans have been approved to build a further fifty-nine new homes to be built in Somerton. The houses will be built between Bancombe Road and Bradley Hill Lane, as part of the Somerton Mead development. Somerset Council says it’ll be the end of the year now before a decision is made on the final phase of the Somerton Mead site, which includes a pedestrian link to the King Ina Church of England Academy.

An overnight road closure is planned on the A303 later this month. National Highways says it will shut the eastbound carriageway between Podimore and the Steart Hill Junction to begin work building a new westbound dual carriageway. The closure will take place from 9 pm Friday, January 19th to 6 am Saturday, January 20th. Access will remain for local residents, with diversions in place for all other road users.

Police are asking people to report bike thefts more quickly. They say they need to be told immediately if a theft happens to stand any chance of recovering the stolen bike. The plea follows figures showing that 200 bikes are stolen nationally every day with only one in ten returned to its lawful owner.

A new group, giving women who have been widowed a chance to meet up, has had its first meeting in Somerton. Called ‘The Merry Widows’, the group focus on building a new life after the loss of a loved one. The sessions are held at the White Hart in Somerton, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Police are asking for help identifying a man seen smashing the windows of a barber shop in Crewkerne. The man was filmed on CCTV breaking the windows of Hawa Barbers in Market Street in the early hours of Friday 29 September. An image of him can be viewed on the Avon and Somerset Police website.

More from News

Thursday 8th January

Adam Dance MP is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent schoolchildren. Somerset was the star of the small screen last night, thanks to BBC comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’. A Yeovil gymnastics club has hosted a VIP guest...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.
Tuesday 6th January

The Poundland chain has confirmed its store closures, including one of the Yeovil branches next Friday. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been awarded an OBE for her outstanding contribution to rugby. Nearly one hundred new low-cost homes could be coming to South Chard...and more.
Monday 5th January

A woman has been cut free from her car after a four-vehicle collision in Montacute. Devon and Somerset fire crews have been praised for their bravery, following the summer wildfires. More new homes are set to be built in Martock, following approval from Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 24th December

A formal planning application has been made to carry out significant improvements to Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, costing £15 million. The Halifax Bank in King George Street in Yeovil could be converted into 17 flats. A new young people’s centre opens in Chard early in the New Year...and more.
Tuesday 23rd December

NHS Somerset reports a strong uptake of flu jabs, but some eligible people for free vaccinations haven’t come forward. Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident on the A303 in which a pedestrian was killed. A Crewkerne woman has gone viral on TikTok after being trapped inside a Lidl store in the town... and more.
Monday 22nd December

Somerset Bus Partnership has welcomed a £24.7m boost for the county's bus services. Outline planning permission has been granted to build up to 100 new homes in Ilminster. An Ilminster man has been banned from keeping animals for seven years. Residents in Chiselborough have set up a group to try and re-open the village pub...and more.