Police warn of travel disruption

Travel disruption is expected on Monday 4 July due to planned nationwide protests about the cost of fuel.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead with several key routes likely to be affected, including the M4 Severn Bridge between England and Wales in both directions, ahead of the morning rush-hour.

A slow-moving roadblock is also planned on the M5 between Bridgwater and the Almondsbury Interchange from about 8.30am, which is likely to head east towards Bristol via the M4 and M32. From there, there is a possibility the same protest could be carried out along the same route towards Somerset.

We expect the protests may also have a knock-on effect on other roads too as drivers seek alternative routes.

Protests planned on 4 July:

M4 Severn Bridge – in both directions from approximately 7am.

M5/M4/M32 – northbound from Bridgwater at about 8.30am, before impacting on the M4 eastbound and M32 inbound.

Shepton Mallet – potential protest at Tesco forecourt from approximately 10.30am.

Other protests may happen on the same day and so advise the public follow @ASPolice Twitter feed for latest updates on the day.

£8.3m Toneway Project moves into home straight

Taunton’s Toneway Creech Castle junction improvement project is entering the final phase towards completion later this summer.

As part of the essential work to complete this scheme and allow the team full access to the road there will need to be night-time closures of Toneway for about six weeks from 25 July. Undertaking the work in the evening when the traffic levels are much lower will significantly reduce the impact of the finishing works.

The closures will be in place from 8pm until 6am weekday evenings only from 25 July to 31 August. The road will be open during the evening at weekends. Please click here to read the full press release.

Need to seek help?

If you, or someone you know are feeling like things are too much, please know that you / they don’t have to be alone. Here are some numbers of organisations that can help:

• Samaritans – 116 123
• CALM – 0800 58 58 58
• ChildLine – 0800 1111
• Anxiety UK – 03444 775 774
• Mind – 0300 123 3393
• Somerset Domestic Abuse helpline – 0800 69 49 999

Business Innovation event announced for Somerset

Somerset West and Taunton Council is pleased to announce a new, flagship business event aimed at supporting Somerset’s businesses and innovation economy.The ‘Somerset Innovation Exchange’ on Tuesday, 27 September, will provide a collaborative forum for the county’s leading businesses to learn and share the latest technological and industrial innovations, helping them to develop and grow together as part of Somerset’s innovation community.

The event has been organised by SWT with support from Somerset County Council, The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HoTSWLEP), SWT Innovation Leadership Group, Tech South West, Innovate UK and Barclays Eagle Labs, and is open to businesses at all stages of growth including entrepreneurs, designers, rising stars, inspirational founders and civic innovators.

To find out more visit somersetinnovationexchange.co.uk

Sign up to the Somerset West Lottery bonus prize draw

Sign up to the Somerset West Lottery to support local good causes and not only will you be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes, but if you enter before Saturday 27 August, you will be in with the chance of winning a £1,000 Currys voucher as well.

Everyone who signs up to purchase one or more tickets between 1 July and 27 August will automatically have the chance to win a £1,000 voucher to spend at any Currys PC World store courtesy of external lottery management company Gatherwell.

All tickets bought during this timeframe will be entered into the summer bonus prize draw as well as being in with a chance to win up to £25,000 in the weekly lottery run by Somerset West and Taunton Council.

Please click here to read the full press release.