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Community Bus service update from 7.8.2023

With effect from Monday 7th August, the 10:10 Service departure from Minehead to Bridgwater will operate 40 minutes earlier at 09:30 arriving at Bridgwater at 11:12. All intermediate bus stops to Bridgwater will, therefore, be served 40 minutes earlier.

This change is in response from requests from users of the service and enables passengers to spend 2½ hours in Bridgwater before the final service from Bridgwater at 13:40.

HPC Community Bus – from 07 August 2023 map and timetable

If you require any further information in connection with this notice, please contact our Passenger Helpline on 01278 393500.

The UK’s new emergency alert system is now live

 

The government’s new Emergency Alerts system will be tested nationally on Sunday April 23rd.

An emergency alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a message on the screen of your mobile phone or tablet.

The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile device when lives are in danger. Emergency alerts are sent to compatible mobile devices within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data, and only the emergency services can send them.

You can check an alert is genuine and find out more at gov.uk/alerts. 

A new Somerset Council website

A new Somerset Council website

On 1 April there will be one website for all your unitary council services. The new website will replace the 6 websites that are currently being used by residents in Somerset.

The new Somerset Council website will use this web address: www.somerset.gov.uk

You will be able to do everything that you do now on your district, county and waste websites on the new Somerset Council website.

Try out amazing equipment and technology to make daily living easier at Somerset Independent Living Centres

Try out amazing equipment and technology to make daily living easier at Somerset Independent Living Centres
Talking microwaves to help the visually impaired and specially designed lightweight kettles for the elderly are among the fascinating and practical items on display at Somerset’s Independent Living Centres (SILCs).

The SILCs are filled with useful technology and equipment designed to make daily living at home easier for anyone who may need support living independently, such as older people, or people of any age with disabilities, sensory impairments or health conditions.

There are two such centres in Somerset, one in Wellington and the other in Shepton Mallet. Members of the public can book a free appointment to visit the centre, and meet the Occupational Therapy led team at the centre. The team offer impartial information and advice, and do live demonstrations of showcasing the range of equipment on offer – most of which can help people in the bathroom, kitchen, or generally moving around the house.

Cllr Heather Shearer, Somerset County Council Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We all want to continue living active, independent lives for as long as possible, and it is eye-opening to see how the technology and equipment on offer at the Somerset Independent Living Centres can transform people’s lives at home.

“Whether this is something as simple as a leg hoist for getting in and out of the bath or bed, specially designed cupboards, or a custom mobile phone which has big buttons for calling and hanging up and speed dial with names of key contacts, the SILCs have so many inventive, useful products that can help people.”

The centres are also a valuable resource for people who are supporting and caring for others, whether that is families and carers, professional care providers, GPs, health workers, or organisations within the voluntary community and social enterprise sector who support people in their own home.

Mel Lock, Somerset County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, added: “Our aim is to ensure our disabled and elderly residents can live fulfilling lives within their own homes wherever possible.

“The SILCs include mock kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, and because the appointments with the occupational therapists are private and by booking only, it means there is time to go try out the equipment without worrying about other people.

“So many people who visit the SILCs will see a piece of equipment and say how useful it would be for their relative or neighbour.”

Former BBC Points West correspondent Clinton Rogers has made videos visiting the Wellington (Wellington Independent Living Centre – YouTube) and Shepton Mallet (Shepton Mallet Independent Living Centre Opening event – YouTube) facilities.

The SILC service is free for people to attend. To book an appointment call 0300 123 2224 or email adults@somerset.gov.uk. 

Tree Trimming – Burton/Shurton 22-26th November 2021

Contractors will be trimming trees on the route from the Stringston Road through Burton and Shurton to the C182. This will enable double decker buses to use the route in an emergency, under the Operation Harold scheme.

The works will be guarded by Temporary Traffic Lights and only be undertaken between 0900 – 1500 to avoid the School run.

Any queries please ring 07887 246 187

Free emergency preparedness training for Somerset residents

Somerset’s residents are invited to sign up to free, interactive online training with emergency responders and volunteer organisations throughout October, organised by the Somerset Prepared partnership.

The fourth annual Resilience event starts with live talks on Monday 4 October and aims to help communities become better prepared for emergencies as well as looking at wider preparedness measures that anyone can take.

Anyone who registers will receive an information pack, event pack and weekly emails signposting to videos and toolkits on a variety of subjects. Interactive training sessions with national training provider Communities Prepared are on offer, alongside live online presentations from emergency and community organisations, as well as national flood resilience expert Mary Dhonau.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Community Infrastructure, said: “Interactive events like this are an excellent way to raise awareness with local communities and individuals and help them to take vital steps in preparing for an incident, which could ultimately save lives.

“The sessions will cover a range of subjects from how to use social media in emergencies to food resilience and crime prevention.

“It’s a great opportunity for groups to hear from each other, share their experiences and ask the experts. The training workshops are focussed on topics we often see raised by communities, including recruiting volunteers, how to assess risk and insurance.”

As well as the online training, face-to-face events include an open evening for Langport and Huish Episcopi Flood Group, and Avon & Somerset Police beat surgeries around the county. Sessions will be led by a range of organisations including the Environment Agency, South West Ambulance Service Trust, Communities Prepared, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Avon & Somerset Police, Somerset Rotary, Somerset Civil Contingencies Unit, Spark, and Community Council for Somerset.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences throughout October by tweeting Somerset Prepared (@SomersetPrepare) and using the hashtag #ImSomersetPrepared

To attend this free event, people can register their interest and book training sessions on the Somerset Prepared website www.somersetprepared.org.uk.

Roadworks Church Hill/High Street/Tower Hill, Stogursey, DAYTIME 3rd to 9th March 2021

Somerset County Council Highways have informed us that Barden Network Engineering has approval to carry out fibre cabling works on behalf of BT Openreach from 03/03/2021 – 09/03/2021, for 7 days, excluding the weekend on Tower Hill, High Street and Church Street, Stogursey.

Working hours will be 09:30-18:00

If you do have any queries / concerns about the proposed works, please contact Barden Network Engineering Headquarters on Tel. 01454 281627,

or via their website  Ljnk – Barden Network Engineering Ltd .

Link to the full order Daytime Closure High St Stogursey 3rd March 2021 seven days

Approved Diversion Route