Tag: environment

waste collections

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Somerset Council has announced that there will be no recycling or rubbish collections taking place during the upcoming Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 May.

Collection days will change across Somerset following the bank holiday.

All collections will be 1 day later than the usual schedule:

  • If a resident’s usual collection day is Monday, it will now take place on Tuesday.
  • Tuesday collections will be moved to Wednesday, Wednesday collections to Thursday, and so on.
  • For those who usually have a Friday collection, their collection will be rescheduled to Saturday 30 May.

If opening on a Monday is part of the Recycling Centre’s opening days, then it will be open as usual from 9am to 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

To help manage the increased volume of recycling, residents are encouraged to make extra space in their recycling boxes by crushing and flattening their recyclables.

This simple step can make a difference to help reduce the number of trips crews need to make to empty their vehicles.

For more information about what can be collected for recycling and to check a collection day visit the Council’s Bins, recycling and waste pages.

Early start during hot weather.

Waste collections in Somerset will begin from 6am next week, from Tuesday 26 May as temperatures are expected to climb.

The early starts are to help crews impacted by the hot weather and help to minimise any chance of disruption to recycling, rubbish or garden waste collections across the county.

Waste collection is hard, physical work and early starts help limit the time crews spend working in the hottest part of the day.

Somerset Council is asking residents to put their bins out the night before to make sure they are prepared for the early start.

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

Speeding Update

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Most residents will by now have noticed the Speed Indicator Device (SID) installed by the Parish Council near the Old Dairy on the A396. Anyone who has paused to observe it will have seen the marked reduction in vehicle speeds as drivers approach the device. This visual impression has now been supported by the analysis of the recorded speed data.

The results show that , coming from Cutcombe, 84% of vehicles are travelling at under 30mph, which is the legal speed limit. Furthermore, 95% of vehicles are passing through at under 35mph, and 99.74% at under 40mph. These figures represent a significant improvement compared with previous data collected by the Police.

Unfortunately, a small number of irresponsible drivers continue to travel at dangerously high speeds — 20 out of 34,666 vehicles were recorded at over 50mph, typically during the early hours of the morning.

The Parish Council would like to express its thanks to Councillors Ian Ware and Claire Gibbard for their work in the installation of the SID and for their ongoing efforts in maintaining it.

Residents who wish to review the data in more detail may download here HERE .

In addition, some residents will have noticed the installation of a new post on the Duddings bank. This post has been approved by Somerset Highways for the placement of a SID. The original intention was to rotate the existing portable SID between the two locations. However, despite being a “portable” device, the equipment is extremely heavy and difficult to move, particularly as it must be mounted above head height. For this reason, the Parish Council has decided to pursue the purchase of a second SID to remain permanently at the Duddings site.

As grant funding is limited, this may take a little time to achieve.

In addition to the SIDs, the Parish Council has requested the installation of a “Bend in the Road” warning sign at Totterdown to alert drivers to the series of bends approaching the Duddings area. Somerset Highways has agreed to investigate this request. The Parish Council will keep you updated on this request.

Lesley Webb

Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer

Timberscombe Parish Council

Decarbonise your property

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

To help your community to decarbonise, support energy efficiency improvements and help to reduce fuel costs, I wanted to let you know about Thermly (https://www.thermly.co.uk): they are a green energy technology company operating to help rapidly increase the uptake of clean energy technologies for homeowners and they have just launched their new service in Somerset. See details in the attached pdf.

As highlighted in the latest edition of Somerset Council’s Somerset Environmental and Ecological Newsletter* (SEEN) there is more support, grants and loans available to support householders retrofit their homes by decarbonising with upgraded heating and clean energy technologies to help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. For further info about Retrofit and a local directory see Retrofit Somerset.
(*If you have community and/or council actions on climate & environmental activities or projects please send them in to climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk for potential inclusion in an edition of SEEN).

Thermly have developed a unique website that enables an interested householder to answer a few brief questions about the viability of their home for these green technologies and obtain a no obligation estimate from 3 local, pre-vetted and Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) certified installers for heat pumps, solar PV and/or batteries from carefully chosen, trusted and local installers. They also support the uptake of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for householders – £7,500 grant towards installing a heat pump.

If the homeowner would like to proceed, they can choose which installer they prefer and have an in-person survey undertaken free of charge which will provide them with a detailed quotation – if they approve, the homeowner can progress with the installation, all managed through the Thermly platform.

If you were interested in Thermly, please feel free to contact Clephane via email atclephane@thermly.co.uk. He would be more than happy to arrange a meeting to talk you through the attached presentation and/or any questions you may have.

In addition Somerset Council’s Climate and Natural Environment Team are going to set up regular meeting with each council’s climate/environment officer (if you have one) or a representative of the council/community engaging with action on the climate and ecological emergency. Please pass this invitation on to your officer or cllr or let us know their contact info for us to invite them to these meetings.

Many thanks for your help,

Best eco well wishes,

Cara Naden
Climate & Natural Environment

Somerset Council
01935 462615

Message from Wessex Water

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment
Dear Customers

The UK has experienced one of the driest springs in 132 years, and as temperatures rise, so does our collective demand for water. The Environment Agency has now moved our region into what’s known as “Prolonged Dry Weather” status.

We’re not currently planning to introduce a hosepipe ban or other restrictions, but this change is a clear signal that we all need to do our bit to make sure there’s enough water to go around. Every drop counts and your actions matter

We’re not asking you to stop using water, just to use it wisely. Small changes at home can make a big difference – especially when we all do them together:

·        Take shorter showers

·        Use your washing machine and dishwasher only when full

·        Check for hidden leaks around your property

·        Let your lawn go brown. As soon as the rain returns it will go back to normal

These simple steps help protect our water supplies and, if you’re on a water meter, can save you money too.

What we’re doing to help

Hot, dry weather means less water goes into our reservoirs. River flows, groundwater, and reservoir levels are all lower than usual.

We’re working hard behind the scenes to keep water flowing, upgrading infrastructure, and fixing leaks.

If you spot a damp patch on the pavement or a trickle from a utility cover, let us know. Our teams will find it and fix it.

Thank you for your support

Water is precious. By working together, we can protect our supplies and make a real difference this summer for our communities and our environment.

If you have any questions, contact us at 0345 600 4 600 Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm.

Thank you,  Ruth Jefferson, Chief Executive