By Harry Mottram: Observers of Cheddar Reservoir will have noticed the levels are rising as water is pumped in from an inlet under the Sharpham Road tower. Normally by late November the Res is nearly full – but due to the old inlet valve breaking it is far from full although ‘the islands’ have now been submerged. Apparently, part of the issue was the 1930s technology in the tower was the problem – and judging by the huge metal parts being extracted by engineers – it is quite a job to upgrade.
On a separate note, regarding the proposed access road to the new pumping station to be built next to the existing one on the Axbridge side there is a problem of gradient. Based on what Bristol Water said at the consultation in the town hall they would run a new road from the A371 around the Dark Lane near the old Yogurt Factory entrance turning down to the edge of the Res where the current access lane is. However, if you take a look that is a big drop from the main road – a steep slope from construction traffic to negotiate. They didn’t rule out an access road from the A38 although claimed it could get flooded although I suspect the extra cost may have been the real reason.
Construction site
To get an idea of what may be instore in terms of work to build the new reservoir take a look at what is happening around Banwell where a bypass is being constructed. It is a massive site stretching from Banwell Castle down onto the moor and around to Deer Leap Farm. Cheddar Reservoir’s construction site is going to be even larger. Incidentally in Banwell if you need to drive that way Towerhead Road and Castle Hill will have two-way traffic lights from 24th–28th November (9:30am–3:30pm), Well Lane will close overnight on 24th–25th November for drainage surveys, and Knightcott Road will close briefly around midnight on 25th November for an overhead cable installation. Wolvershill Road will reopen before Christmas but will need to close again afterwards, followed by a temporary closure of Riverside.
Progressive
This year’s Axbridge Progressive Supper is on Saturday 22nd November – and more than 100 people are taking part in the annual big night out. This year the cash raised with the raffle and fees for taking part go to The Food Bank, Friends of Axbridge Church and the new Axe Vale Arts Centre is the former Methodist Chapel. For more information about how it works and all the questions you might like answered visit https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/journalist/axbridge/axbridge-features/progressive-supper-2025/
Cheddar Gorge
From Monday 16th November, there will be a three-week road closure to complete essential safety work in Cheddar Gorge between Cox’s Car Park and Cufic Lane from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. When the road is closed, it will not be safe to allow cyclists or vehicles to pass along the road or pavement and an alternative route for pedestrians will be available.
Cost of Living
This information is published on the Axbridge Town Council website: A range of support is available to help Somerset residents struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis this winter. Somerset Council is again distributing funds from the Government and working in partnership with local charities and community groups to offer a broad selection of essential free support measures for local people. The kind of vital local support that the Council is encouraging people to access includes:
- Food pantries
- Advice and support for families and individuals, including help with food, mental health and loneliness
- Council tax support for people on a low income or who receive certain benefits
- Discretionary housing payments for people struggling to pay rent
- Financial support for elderly residents who are struggling to heat their homes this winter
Details about the full range of support available, as well as how to check eligibility and to apply, is on the Council’s Cost-of-living support page. See https://www.somerset.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/cost-of-living-support-for-somerset-residents/
Some Somerset News
Pensions: It is one of those subjects politicians don’t want to talk about – pension schemes funded by the Government and local Government and organisations associated with them – not because they are not required but rather their expense. The South West Heritage Trust runs the Museum of Somerset and the Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury – both worth visiting. It has an income of around £3.5m of which it gets much of the cash from grants from various bodies and councils including the National Lottery. It employs over 100 people with a wages bill of £2.7m. Buried within the Trust’s account is the note about the pensions payable to former workers: “However, the wages bill itself is not the biggest headache for the Trust financially. That is the pension obligations that goes with having a large number of staff. In 2023 the Trust took a hit of £1.8m as a result of a revised actuarial assessment of the pension fund assets compared to the future liabilities it would incur.”
Marriage Guidance: Relationship Works is the new name for Relate Avon, building on over 80 years’ experience of relationship counselling and becoming fully independent to safeguard specialist support for the community. The rebrand follows the local team’s decision to operate independently rather than join the national Relate’s merger with Family Action, a larger multi-service organisation. Back in the day Relate was known more prosaically as the Marriage Guidance Council and was founded in 1938 prompted by the rise in divorces.
Library Closure Threat: North Somerset Council is considering closing Winscombe Library – which is used by many in Axbridge. The BBC reported: “North Somerset Council is currently running a consultation, external on the future of library services as it tries to find ways to cut £433,000 from its libraries budget. It could lead to the closure of Worle Library, and the facilities in Pill and Winscombe.” A few years ago Somerset Council tried to close Cheddar Library – a campaign by library users in Axbridge and Cheddar successfully fought off the short-sighted attempt to save money.
Diary of events in Axbridge: https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
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Harry Mottram
Axbridge News is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
NOTE: Everything I write on Axbridge News is in the public domain – anyone can look up the information or ask the odd question. I just put it together so it makes sense to me.
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Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
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