Changes are coming to waste collections next year

 Recycling and rubbish collection days will be changing for more than 120,000 homes in Somerset in February next year.

The changes come as new collection routes are introduced by Somerset Council’s contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK. The new routes will make rounds more efficient, more manageable for crews whilst reducing mileage and carbon emissions.

The changes come at no cost to the council.

In February 2024, recycling and rubbish collection day schedules will change for around 85% of homes in the west of the county, covering the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton areas, as well as a small part of South Somerset.

Anyone with a change to their collection day schedule will be written to twice before anything changes, first with a letter in January. Roughly, three weeks after the letter arrives, residents will receive a service guide which includes a collection day calendar for the next 18 months.

It is important that residents know their new collection days – crews will not be able to come back for either recycling or refuse if you miss your new collection day.

Because some towns and villages will be covered by more than one route, days may change for some households but not others.

Residents may have:

  • a change to collection day
  • a change in week that their rubbish is collected
  • a one-off interim rubbish collection

There will be no changes to:

  • collection days for garden waste subscribers
  • clinical waste collections
  • communal property collections with shared collections (such as blocks of flats, houses of multiple occupancy and retirement developments)
  • schools waste collections

Changes to routes and collection days for the rest of the county – in the former Mendip and South Somerset areas – are expected to be introduced in June 2024.

Councillor Dixie Darch, Executive Lead Member for Climate and Environment said:

“We’re writing to every household that will have a change to their collection day. Please keep an eye out for your letter in the New Year. If you don’t receive a letter this means that your day is staying the same.

“The changes will make the collections more efficient and help us to reduce carbon emissions.

“Please make a note of your new collection day and possible interim rubbish collection. Crews can’t return for missed collections where bins are not out on the right day.”

Further information can be found online at somerset.gov.uk/waste

 

Flood Action Week special bulletin

Devon County Council sent this bulletin at 21-11-2023 04:48 PM GMT

Temporary Road Closure: ttro050684W(TD) – Slough Lane, Stoke St Gregory

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=135460982 and the link for the Notice 2: https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_135460982_3633714_6e68ba2ef6.pdf
The order becomes effective on 07th December 2023 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 11th December 2023 and last for 8 hours (08:00-16:00) to enable Utility Services to replace a pole on behalf of Openreach.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Utility Services Ltd on 0191 303 9782, quoting reference: ttro050684W(TD)

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Temporary Road Closure: ttro049892W(TD) – Bullplace Bridge Road and Slough Lane

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=135998671 and the link for the Notice 2https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_135998671_3639432_8f668be56b.pdf
The order becomes effective on 07th December 2023 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 12th December 2023 and last for 11 days to enable Airband Community Internet Ltd to carry out overhead cabling and splicing works.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Airband Community Internet Ltd on 0785 025 4817, quoting reference: ttro049892W(TD) 

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Temporary Road Closure: ttro239399W(TD) -The Fosse, North Curry

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=135461475 and the link for the Notice 2: https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_135461475_3633778_48842e145a.pdf
The order becomes effective on 07th December 2023 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 11th December 2023 and last for 8 hours (08:00-16:00) to enable Utility Services Ltd to replace a pole, on behalf of Openreach.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Utility Services Ltd on 0191 303 9782 quoting reference: ttro239399W(TD)

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Somerset Levels and Moors Update – 15 November 2023

Current situation

 Since our last briefing, unsettled weather has continued across Somerset, so the ground remains wet and catchments continue to respond to rainfall. Further rainfall is forecast for 16 November.

Our field teams are out checking assets and clearing screens to ensure we’re ready. The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for rain from midnight Wednesday 15 November through to 6pm tomorrow, with rainfall totals of 20mm – 25mm currently forecast.

We have been operating pumps when conditions allow, in all areas of the Somerset Levels and Moors. Pumping can only take place when river levels are low enough to receive the pumped flood water. We have staff on duty 24/7 monitoring the forecast and river levels, which allows us to optimise our operations to minimise risk to people and property across the Levels and Moors.

Somerset Council Highways have reopened the emergency closure gates on New Road and Cutts Road, however Langport Road (Muchelney to Langport) remains closed. For up-to-date information please see the Somerset Council website.

 Axe / Brue Catchment

River levels remain high in the Brue catchment. Some minor low-lying roads, notably around Godney, continue to be affected by flooding. Although the catchment is very saturated and there is a lot of standing water on the fields, our assets and structures are working as expected and we are operating to our normal winter procedures.

We have been bringing levels down at Gold Corner to create capacity ahead of the wet weather. Our teams are out checking screens and assets, and we continue to be vigilant to ensure our operations are as effective as possible in reducing flood risk to people and property.

Parrett / Tone Catchment

Upstream of Langport Flood alerts remain in place for the River Yeo and Parrett, and the Yeo and Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney.

We are closely monitoring levels and pumping stations have been operating when possible.

Downstream of Langport, in agreement with our partners, we continue to operate Monksleaze Clyce to utilise the Parrett Flood Relief Channel (Sowy). This continues to relieve the Parrett and Tone and maximises opportunities to operate pumping stations.

A Flood Warning remains active for Curry Moor and Stan Moor and a flood alert remains in place for the Lower Tone and Parrett Moors for Currymoor.

There is a temporary footpath closure between New Road and Curload to enable bank repairs to take place at Haymoor. We will keep any disruption to a minimum and thank residents for their understanding.

Levels in the River Tone have allowed significant pumping to take place in Currymoor over the  past week, creating more capacity ahead of the forecast wet weather. We have been taking advantage of drier spells to ensure we are as prepared as possible, and field teams have successfully deployed temporary pumps at Currymoor, Saltmoor, Haymoor and Elson’s Clyce.

Additional pumps can only be used when there is sufficient water at the pumping locations and enough room in the main channels to receive the flood water. Currently, levels are within the capacity of the permanent pumps at both Saltmoor and Northmoor. We have also installed temporary pump pipework at Northmoor.

Public engagement events. 

We are planning two events in December for Somerset Levels & Moors residents which will focus on flooding and preparations for winter. These events will be an opportunity to hear about some of the actions we have been taking ahead of this winter, to reduce flood risk. It will also provide an opportunity to access support and information to ensure we are for the winter ahead.

The events will be held at:

Burrowbridge Coronation Hall – Tuesday 5th December 2023 from 5pm to 7pm  Moorland Village Hall – Thursday 7th December 2023 from 5pm to 7pm

Residents will also have the opportunity to speak with our partners including the Somerset Rivers Authority and Somerset Council, who are also supporting the events.

 Outlook

The weather remains unsettled for the next 5 days with further heavy and persistent rain expected on Saturday, although there is still a lot of uncertainty in the forecast at the moment.

We can expect further flood alerts to be issued due to the rainfall expected tonight and there is a possibility of additional flood warnings being issued over the next few days.

What happens next?   

As we reported in our last briefings, we have done a great deal of work to prepare for this winter. We continue to monitor the level of risk and act accordingly.

 We appreciate that the wet weather can cause significant anxiety for those who have been affected by flooding in the past.  

We will continue to send out updates, as necessary, to keep Somerset Levels and Moors residents and our partners informed on the situation and how we are responding.

Flooding advice and information

Our advice to the public is to stay safe and not enter floodwater – just 30 cm of fast flowing water can move a car, and just 15 cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet. Motorists should avoid driving through flood water as the bow wave can damage homes and car engines.

Call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for updates on flooding, to sign up for flood warnings, or to   report flooding.

o Or visit:  www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk

  • Prepare for flooding in advance and stay up-to-date on weather information and warnings:

https://checkforflooding.service.gov.uk/planaheadforflooding

What to do during a flood

Get information on what to do during a flood from:  www.gov.uk/helpduringflood

http://www.somersetprepared.org.uk/hazardadvice/flooding www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk/usefulinfo

Remember: Always stay safe. In an immediate flood emergency or where there is a risk to life, follow the advice of the emergency services.

For all enquiries, or if you would like to be added to the distribution list for Somerset Levels and Moors updates, please email WessexEnquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Temporary Road Closure: ttro184527W(TD) – Newport Road, North Curry

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=135855423 and the link for Notice 2https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_135855423_3635798_5cf5ab0785.pdf
The order becomes effective on 30th December 2023 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 5th December 2023 and last for 3 days to enable Airband Community Internet Ltd to carry out tree cutting, overhead cabling and splicing works.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Airband Community Internet Limited on 0785 025 4817, quoting reference: ttro184527W(TD)

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Temporary Road Closure: ttro566380W(TD) – Lillesdon Lane, North Curry

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=135390380 and the link for the Notice 2: https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_135390380_3631637_b8e7c0ed33.pdf
The order becomes effective on 30th November 2023 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 4th December 2023 and last for 8 hours (08:00 – 16:00) to enable Utility Services Ltd to replace a pole on behalf of Openreach.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Utility Services Ltd on 0191 303 9782, quoting reference: ttro566380W(TD).

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network