Angela Cox

Somerset Council is creating a new Somerset Connectivity and Integrated Transport Strategy (SCITS).

Building on the work already done for Local Transport Plan 4, SCITS is about making it easier for people to get around by making different types of transport work better together. It will look at how people travel day‑to‑day, how they could mix different ways of getting around (like walking, buses, cycling, or trains), and what infrastructure and services they need for access.

Instead of planning transport projects in isolation, SCITS will help the Council plan improvements that link up across entire corridors and areas.

The development of SCITS follows the publication of the Government’s Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport. SCITS will closely align with the strategy and focus on how people experience Somerset’s transport system overall, rather than looking at each type of transport separately.

Overall, SCITS will help Somerset Council set clear transport priorities, secure funding, and create a strong pipeline of future transport projects to improve connectivity across our most important transport corridors.

• • The consultation is an opportunity to shape transport policy and delivery over the next 20 years

• • Your response will represent the wants and needs of the residents and businesses in your LCN area, therefore it must seek to be as inclusive as possible

• • It should not be personal or single issue led, there is space for suggestions and ideas but we need to capture all the issues

• • This is an opportunity to shape what the Council will do before any decisions or plans have been agreed

• • This engagement questionnaire is part of the collection of data and evidence, we will be using it alongside traffic data, planning, health and economic information and projections as well as engaging with mode, accessibility, network and safety specialists.

• • Once the Strategy is prepared, we will be consulting with the general public, that may directly reference the thoughts and/or ideas contained within your responses.  

Here is the link: Connectivity Plan Consultation – Somerset Council – Citizen Space

The consultation is open until Friday 22^nd May 2026.

Please email the Transport Policy Team with any questions or queries: transportpolicy@somerset.gov.uk

The TWiG group are holding a Plant and Eco Fair on Saturday 16th May from 2.00pm in St Peter & St Paul’s Church, South Petherton.  They will be joined by Natalie Barnett of Somerset Wildlife Trust who will be on hand to talk about the Act to Adapt Climate Adaptation Plan, Barbara Lakin of Somerset Council will have information about the Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Bumblebee Conservation, and Reimagining the Levels who kindly provided us with plants for the hedgerows which they also came along to help us plant.  The Community Shed will be bringing lots of goodies and Knole Pit Meadow will have a wonderful deadhedge to display. And of special note will be the Junior School with their Lost Words artworks, and we’ll be running activities for the children and their families.  Keeping fingers crossed for a lovely sunny day!

Wessex Water is investing more than £10.6 million to upgrade the water recycling centre at South Petherton, off The Droveway.
This work, which will see equipment at the site enhanced, as well as maintenance of existing assets, will begin on Tuesday 5 May 2026 and is expected to take approximately 15 months to complete.

How will the work affect you?

All construction activity is being carried out within the existing boundaries of the water recycling centre. A construction compound will be located within an adjacent private field.
Access will be maintained for residents, but it may be delayed at times, for example when deliveries are being made to the site. Please speak to our on-site team with any specific access requirements.
The public rights of way into the field housing our compound will also be closed for the duration of the scheme, but alternative rights of way will remain open. We have trimmed back some trees and removed some hedgerow to assist with access to the site from the field, but this will be replanted when the scheme is complete.
There may be some noise disruption while this work is carried, but every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.
You can continue to use your sewerage services as normal unless we tell you otherwise.

What should you do?

You do not need to do anything. For security reasons, we will install an alarm system at our construction compound. If the alarm sounds when the site is unoccupied, or if you have any further questions about our work, please call 0345 600 4 600 or visit wessexwater.co.uk/contact-us
If you are a business or other non-household property you will need to contact your water retailer with any enquiries. You can find their contact details on your most recent water bill.

Community Conversations poster March 26 RSV OVER 75 POSTER (3)

Somerset Libraries provides a Home Library Service, available to anyone who is unable to visit their local library. This includes people who may be housebound, living in long term care, carers, or people who are vulnerable due to long term conditions or disabilities. The service is open to people of all ages.

For more information about this service contact Lauren Davis – email lauren.davis@somerset.gov.uk or phone 07814079831.

There are several cases of Avian Influenza across both Devon and Somerset.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease that affects birds, caused by the influenza A virus. High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is very infectious and can rapidly cause significant death in flocks. Species of bird are affected differently by the virus with some showing more clinical signs and death, while others spread the disease without showing clinical signs.

More information is available on the .Gov website Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England – GOV.UK

It is now a legal requirement for anyone that keeps birds to be registered.  Please see details in the link below.

Register-your-birds-All (1) (1) (002)      Avian Influenza Clinical Signs APHA (002)