Author: Lesley Webb

Plastic Free Exmoor Events

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Over the next few weeks, Plastic Free Exmoor will be leading the following two events:

Saturday 14th March – Dunster Community Clear-Up
🕥 10:30am – 12 noon
📍 Meet at the Exmoor National Park Centre, Dunster
We will provide litter pickers and bags, but please bring a pair of old gloves and dress appropriately for the weather on the day. Our aim is to clean the village car parks, roadside edges, and—if possible—stretches of the A39 below the village. This event will be part of both the Surfers Against Sewage “Million Mile Clean” and the Keep Britain Tidy “Great British Spring Clean”. There is no need to sign up—just turn up on the day. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thursday 19th March – Plastic Tree Guard Clearance, Timberscombe
🕙 10am – 12.30pm

We will be clearing plastic tree guards from a small stretch of woodland just below Timberscombe Common. The area is on a slight slope but is generally more accessible than previous clearances. Due to the size of the woodland, we will need around ten volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please email me and I will send full details, including the exact location and parking suggestions.

Plastic Free Watchet is holding a beach clean and town litter pick on Saturday March 7th. If you would like to take part, please meet at 11am at the Slipway to West Street Beach. Litter pickers and bags will be provided—just bring a sturdy pair of gloves. After the clean-up, volunteers can enjoy hot drinks and cakes at The Sanctuary.

In Other News…

Watch Dirty Business – Channel 4.
Have you been watching the Channel 4 series Dirty Business? If not, I strongly recommend making time for it. The three hour-long episodes expose what the UK water industry is doing and the impact it is having on our rivers, seas, and public health. The programme has received 5-star reviews from The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Independent.  Watch Dirty Business | Stream free on Channel 4

If you do watch it, please consider signing the Surfers Against Sewage petition calling for real change:  Dirty Business Petition: End Sewage Pollution – Surfers Against Sewage


Take Part in The Big Plastic Count – 9th to 15th March
For one week in March, thousands of people in the UK will count every piece of plastic packaging they throw away. By taking part in The Big Plastic Count, you’ll help gather vital evidence to show the true scale of the crisis—and send a clear message to the government that we need to produce less plastic. For further information and to sign up, please click on the following link:  Home | The Big Plastic Count


Best wishes

Peter Hoyland, Community Lead Plastic Free Exmoor

Cutcombe update

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

I’m writing to provide a further update on the ongoing repair works along the A396 at Cutcombe Hill.

Over the past week, we have been able to stand down the planned night‑time road closures, which has reduced disruption to local residents and road users. During this time, the team has continued to make steady progress by completing the remaining elements of the scheme under daytime traffic light control. This has allowed us to keep the road open where possible while maintaining a safe working environment for the crew.

The scheme is now approaching its final stages. However, as part of the excavation and reinstatement activities, some unavoidable damage occurred to the road surface due to the movement and storage of materials and equipment on site. After reviewing the condition of the carriageway, it has been agreed that this presents a good opportunity to carry out resurfacing to ensure the road is returned to a high standard. Completing this now will avoid the need for a separate return visit later in the year and will provide a smoother, more durable finish for all road users.

To deliver these surfacing works safely and efficiently, we are proposing short daytime road closures on Thursday 26th February from 9am to 3pm and Friday 27th February from 9am to 3pm. These closures will give the crew the necessary working area and will prevent vehicles from travelling over freshly laid material before it has properly cured.

Once the resurfacing is complete, this will conclude the major civil engineering and reinstatement activities required for this scheme. Following this, only minor finishing tasks and site demobilisation will remain, which will be carried out with minimal impact on traffic.

We appreciate the continued patience and cooperation shown by residents, local businesses, and road users throughout these works. Your understanding has enabled us to progress the project effectively and safely.

If you have any questions or require further information, please let me know.

Yours faithfully,

Kali 

Kali Martin
Assistant Highway Service Manager 

Somerset Council Area – West