BBC Somerset

Somerset A361 cameras ‘catch thousands’ not wearing seatbelts

Somerset A361 cameras ‘catch thousands’ not wearing seatbelts

BBCSeth Marks, 21, says he needs round-the-clock care after being seriously injured in a crashNew Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras installed on a stretch of road have shown thousands of drivers and passengers are not wearing seatbelts, a council has found.The cameras were put in place along the A361 Frome bypass in Somerset, where six people have died in the last five years.Somerset Council said 4,407 people were spotted not wearing seatbelts in the four months between March and…

Continue ReadingSomerset A361 cameras ‘catch thousands’ not wearing seatbelts

Thousands of Leonardo workers begin strikes over pay offer

Thousands of Leonardo workers begin strikes over pay offer

BBCLeonardo workers say the latest offer is still below inflationMore than 3,000 workers at defence firm Leonardo have begun the first of a series of strikes after rejecting their company's latest pay offer. The Unite union said the counter offer of 3.6% remains below inflation, while the firm says the offer is "competitive" and is "disappointed" with the industrial action.Unite members across Leonardo sites in Yeovil, Luton, Basildon, Newcastle and Edinburgh walked out on Wednesday, with more disruption…

Continue ReadingThousands of Leonardo workers begin strikes over pay offer

Paul Wells’ family say chances were “missed” to prevent his death

Paul Wells’ family say chances were “missed” to prevent his death

Martin Jones,West Investigations, Wells and Chris Lockyer,SomersetFamily handoutPaul Wells was killed by his neighbour, who was suffering from mental health issuesThe family of a man killed by his neighbour said it was "disappointed" at the outcome of his inquest.Richard Matthews, who had severe mental health problems, admitted killing Paul Wells in Highbridge, Somerset, in June 2020 by diminished responsibility.In a statement after a jury concluded he had been unlawfully killed, Mr Wells' family said they would "always have…

Continue ReadingPaul Wells’ family say chances were “missed” to prevent his death

North Somerset Council sees ‘depressing’ recycling overspend

North Somerset Council sees ‘depressing’ recycling overspend

John WimperisLocal Democracy Reporter North Somerset CouncilA tonne of plastic that would have sold for £168 in 2024/25 is now only fetching £80 for the councilA council has been left with a "deeply depressing" overspend on waste recycling.Unlike black bin rubbish, which local authorities have to pay to dispose of, materials from kerbside recycling collections and household waste recycling centres can be sold as a source of income.But North Somerset Council said this year, reduced prices and increased…

Continue ReadingNorth Somerset Council sees ‘depressing’ recycling overspend

Avon & Somerset officer barred from policing after breaching bail

Avon & Somerset officer barred from policing after breaching bail

Adam PostansLocal Democracy Reporting Service Stephen SumnerAt the hearing, PC West was sacked without notice after breaching his bail conditions and lying about it to policeA police officer who breached his bail conditions by contacting a woman he was ordered to stay away from has been sacked without notice.PC Thomas West was found to have committed gross misconduct following a two-day hearing at Avon and Somerset Police headquarters in Portishead, Somerset.Following his arrest in March 2024, he was…

Continue ReadingAvon & Somerset officer barred from policing after breaching bail

‘Jilly Cooper’s fatal head injury’ and ‘missing girl’

‘Jilly Cooper’s fatal head injury’ and ‘missing girl’

Antony Thompson/Thousand Word Media LtdDame Jilly Cooper suffered a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest was toldHere's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesOur top three from yesterdayWhat to watch on social media Source link

Continue Reading‘Jilly Cooper’s fatal head injury’ and ‘missing girl’

Bath padel courts plan is withdrawn after council complaints

Bath padel courts plan is withdrawn after council complaints

John WimperisLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceGetty ImagesPadel, which originated in Mexico, has become increasingly popular in recent yearsPadel courts have been removed from plans for a major extension and refurbishment of a sports ground.Bath and North East Somerset Council's original plans for the Odd Down Sports Ground in Bath were turned down by its own planning committee over concern about the noise of the four planned padel courts.One councillor had said the noise of the racquet sport would be…

Continue ReadingBath padel courts plan is withdrawn after council complaints

Glastonbury Lake Village could be lost to climate change

Glastonbury Lake Village could be lost to climate change

Charlie Taylor,Presenter, BBC Radio Somerset and Chris Lockyer,SomersetSomerset Drainage BoardThe Glastonbury Lake Village is preserved in the marsh land An ancient wetland site which has been in place for almost 2,000 years is now under threat, due to the warm weather.Glastonbury Lake Village is an Iron Age settlement preserved by water and peat on the Somerset Levels.But the dry summer has lowered the local water table, leading to fears the timbers could begin to degrade.Dr Richard Brunning, a…

Continue ReadingGlastonbury Lake Village could be lost to climate change

Highbridge killer’s mental health should’ve been ‘front page’

Highbridge killer’s mental health should’ve been ‘front page’

Martin JonesBBC West Investigations in WellsFamily handoutPaul Wells was killed by his neighbour in Highbridge, Somerset, in 2020The inquest into the death of a man stabbed to death by his neighbour has heard the killer's mental health issues should have been flagged more prominently on his police record.Richard Matthews stabbed Paul Wells to death on 25 June 2020, and is serving an indefinite hospital order.Matthews had severe mental health problems and wrongly believed his neighbour was a child…

Continue ReadingHighbridge killer’s mental health should’ve been ‘front page’

Yeovil Town: Watford midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain joins on loan

Yeovil Town: Watford midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain joins on loan

Yeovil Town have signed midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain on loan from Watford until the end of January. The 19-year-old has made two senior appearances for the Hornets after earning his professional debut in August 2024.Ramirez-Espain was part of the Watford side that made it to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup last season before being knocked out by Manchester City."Leo is a really exciting young player with great energy and confidence on the ball," Yeovil manager Richard Dryden…

Continue ReadingYeovil Town: Watford midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain joins on loan

Need To Know Somerset – Wessex Water to spend £11m cutting sewage spills

Need To Know Somerset – Wessex Water to spend £11m cutting sewage spills

Available for over a yearOfwat says the company has ‘caused an unacceptable impact on customers and the environment.’ Now, Wessex Water has agreed to fund £11m worth of works to cut sewage spills across its network and avoid a fine by the regulator.Programme WebsiteShow less Source link

Continue ReadingNeed To Know Somerset – Wessex Water to spend £11m cutting sewage spills