Tag: travel

Bus News

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Taunton Park & Ride single tickets are only £1!

Patronage on the Park and Ride service from Gateway (M5 J25) via the town, Musgrove Hospital and Silk Mills to the West continues to rise along with a 6.2% footfall increase in Taunton. The service runs every 20 minutes until 8pm Mon-Fri (6pm Saturday) then less frequently until 11pm (Mon-Sat) using the 1E for Silk Mills and 30 for Gateway (M5 J25). The double decker service is well used by both visitors plus those who live on the route but there is always room for more!

Bus not turned up or arrived more than 20 minutes late?

See the Somerset Bus Passenger Charter for your options. Some operators may offer a travel vouchers.

How do I track my bus?

  • Bustimes.org – this covers all buses.
  • Operators app or website

Where do I get bus timetables?

  • Special mention for TravelineSW. Type in your route number, click the relevant service.Select whether you want just the main stops and press ‘PDF’. The website will generate your own personalised timetable which can be printed out. Where bus routes have been mentioned in this newsletter, the links provided are to TravelineSW timetables.
  • Timetables are also available on the operators website or via Bustimes.org
  • Over the last few years we have persuaded some bus operators to continue to fund the printing of timetables however we are finding this more challenging. Local libraries will often print timetables for a small fee. We also fund a small number for distribution at our bus stalls.

How do I plan my journey?

How much is a bus journey?

All single bus journeys are capped at £3 until at least March 2027.

Some operators offer discounted tickets for short journeys, area based tickets or group tickets. Consider these to save money.

Cutcombe Hill Update

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

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

I am pleased to confirm that all major works have now been completed. Over the coming days, our team will be collecting the remaining traffic management equipment and barriers as we begin the final phase of demobilisation.

During the road closures, we also took the opportunity to carry out temporary repairs to a damaged section of verge on the straight stretch higher up the hill. This area was impacted by vehicle movements during snowy conditions earlier this winter. A long‑term engineering solution will be developed; however, due to the limited working window and the requirements for design, planning, and additional road closures, the temporary repair was the most practical option at this time. This approach has allowed us to safely remove the traffic management barriers that had been in place at this location.

Over the next few weeks, a formal sign‑off inspection will be undertaken to identify and address any minor snags. These checks ensure the site is left in the best possible condition and that all aspects of the scheme meet the required standards.

I would also like to share that a tree will be donated to Cutcombe Parish Council for planting in the recreational grounds. This is in memory of the tragic events of last summer, as well as marking the remarkable resilience and unity shown by the community during and after that time. The Parish is also considering the installation of a bench beside the tree to create a peaceful space for reflection.

We would like to sincerely thank residents, local businesses, and all road users for their patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout the duration of these works.

If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to get in touch.

Yours faithfully,

Kali

Kali Martin
Assistant Highway Service Manager 

Somerset Council

Area – West


highways-west@somerset.gov.uk

0300 123 2224

Cutcombe Hill Update

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Please see below a summary of progress for the works undertaken on the A396 between 9 and 11 February 2026.

Across the three-day period, mobilisation was completed successfully, trial holes were carried out, and all required inductions were undertaken. Drilling progressed well, with 11 drill locations completed and concreted by the end of 11 February.

No safety incidents or operational issues were reported during this period. Traffic management remained stable with the night road closure in operation and the diversion routes are checked regularly, during the day the site is under traffic light control and the site consistently secured under TWS using a combination of bull barriers and Heras fencing.

Drilling is scheduled to continue the next shift, with potential completion of this phase depending on progress

Kali Martin
Assistant Highway Service Manager

Somerset Council, Area – West

highways-west@somerset.gov.uk

0300 123 2224

Roads, travel and parking (somerset.gov.uk) for live travel alerts, roadworks information and winter weather updates

 

 

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

Regal Theatre

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

COFFEE MORNING IN THE BAR –Saturday 3 January 2026 – 11.00 – 13.00 

HEART-WARMING TALES- Monday 5 January – 7.30pm

Enjoy some heart-warming winter traditional storytelling. Relax in the cosy setting of the Regal Theatre bar while Alexandra takes you on a magical journey to realms where everything becomes possible. Imagine a world where transformation is real and eternal beings offer wise and loving counsel. Suitable for 10 – 100-year-olds!

 The Regal Film Society Screening – TBC (Cert 15)- Tuesday 6 January 2026 – 7:30pm

The Royal Opera ENCORE from the Royal Opera House – LA TRAVIATA  –Sunday 18 January 2026 – 2:00pm

As intimate as it is sumptuous, La traviata features some of opera’s most famous melodies, and is a star vehicle for its leading soprano role sung by Ermonela Jaho. In director Richard Eyre’s world of seductive grandeur, the

NTLive – HAMLET –Thursday 22 January 19:00

Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.  Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one.  National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director, Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Operation Mincemeat) directs this sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining.

THE LION KING (Cert U) –Saturday, 24th January 2026 – 10:00am

FREE ADMISSION! – Sponsored by Minehead Town Council

One of the great animated film classics of all time, the original version of The Lion King, released in 1994, tells the story of a young lion prince called Simba who is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle, who claims he killed his father. With music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, The Lion King features the voices of Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg and Matthew Broderick.

The Regal Film Society Screening – TBC (Cert 15)- Tuesday 27 January 2026 – 7:30pm

Tickets for all events may be booked in advance online at https://regaltheatre.co.uk/whatson or from the Box Office (Tel 01643 706430) between 9.30am and 12.00pm Monday – Saturday;