Closure of A303 in September

/in News/by Parish Clerk

The Parish Council have been informed that on Saturday 19th September, the A303 W/B (west bound) from Mere to Wincanton will be closed for urgent drainage works on behalf of National Highways.

Access and egress to Zeals will still be maintained, the A303 W/B will be closed from Mere to Wincanton so people will still be able to access and egress out of Zeals, and the E/B carriageway will be open as normal.

The diversion will begin at Furze Hedge and will send traffic down the A350 and around so there will not be main carriageway traffic coming through Zeals.

 

Septic Tank Upgrades

/in News/by Parish Clerk

Burrow Environmental will shortly be carrying out fully funded septic tank upgrades in the Deverills, replacing ageing systems with
modern package treatment plants at no cost to the homeowner.

The work reduces pollution of the Avon’s protected habitats.
Meetings will be held on Tuesday 22nd September at 12.30 pm and 6.00 pm in the Upper Deverills Village Hall when homeowners can come along to
ask questions and find out more about the scheme.

We welcome further registrations of interest or for more information please contact:
Tom Beels at 07775 428291

Rural Police Drop-In 15th September

/in News/by Parish Clerk

Upper Deverills Village Hall – Tuesday 15th September 10.00 am – 12.00 noon

We would really like to see you for a chat about what matters most in your
area. This is a great opportunity to
Ÿ Meet your local officers
Ÿ Share any concerns or information about rural crime or community issues
Ÿ Get advice on farm and property security
Ÿ Learn more about what we are doing to keep our countryside safe
There is no need to book – just drop in when you can. Whether you want to
raise a concern, get some advice or simply say hello, we would be delighted
to see you.
We are really looking forward to meeting you.
Lukasz Kolasinski – Community Police

Wiltshire Connect

/in News/by Richard Munro

Wiltshire Connect now provides a service in the Warminster, Mere and surrounding south-west Wiltshire areas, helping to reduce isolation, improve access, and support sustainable travel across the region. It also provides new connections to Frome, Shaftesbury and Gillingham.

With seamless connections to rail services at Warminster, Gillingham, Tisbury and Frome, plus direct links to major attractions such as Stourhead, Longleat, Shearwater and Center Parcs, Wiltshire Connect is the perfect way to explore the area – and beyond.

The buses operate on an on-demand basis, which allows passengers to book a bus from a stop of their choosing in the service area to their destination at a time to suit them, either by booking through the Wiltshire Connect smartphone app or by phone.

The service replaced Mere Taxi-bus and bus routes 54 and 58 that used to run in the area. An improved timetabled service, Frome Bus 57/A, also operates between Warminster, Mere and Gillingham to complement Wiltshire Connect.

One of the fleet of three buses is fully electric, enabling comfortable, modern and zero emission travel throughout the south-west of the county. All the buses are fully accessible, with either low-floor access or passenger lifts and space for up to four wheelchair users.

See here for more information or download the flyer attached.

Hosepipe Ban from 18th August

/in News/by Richard Munro

Wessex Water have today communicated with their customers stating that a hosepipe ban will start at 00.01 hrs on Tuesday 18th August.

17 August 2026
Dear Customer
Hosepipe ban introduced throughout our region
Following months of unprecedented hot and dry weather, demand for water has never been higher and we need to protect our water resources, both for you and the environment. Demand is, currently 30% higher than average, and with more hot weather to come and no significant rain forecast, we’ve made the difficult decision to introduce a hosepipe ban. It has been 50 years since water restrictions were last introduced in the Wessex Water region. We have worked hard to avoid the need for restrictions, but introducing a hosepipe ban now is necessary as no significant rainfall has been forecast for the coming weeks.
What is a hosepipe ban?
A hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), restricts the use of hosepipes for certain non-essential activities to help conserve water during periods of prolonged dry weather.
When does the hosepipe ban start?
The hosepipe ban starts on Tuesday 18 August from 00:01 hrs. From this point, you must not use a hosepipe for activities covered by the restrictions. At this time, we can’t confirm when restrictions will be lifted. We will continue to monitor reservoir levels, river flows, groundwater levels, and demand for water. We will remove the hosepipe ban as soon as we can and let you know.
What can I no longer use a hosepipe for?
  • Watering gardens, lawns, flowers and plants.
  • Filling or maintaining paddling pools and swimming pools.
  • Washing private vehicles.
  • Cleaning patios, paths, driveways, walls and windows.
  • Filling ornamental ponds or fountains.
  • Cleaning outdoor surfaces.
A full list of restrictions can be found on our website.
Are there any exemptions?
You may be exempt from the ban if you are unable to make reasonable adjustments due to a health condition or disability. Using a hosepipe for health and safety needs, animal welfare and some business services and activities are also exempt from the restrictions. A complete list of exemptions can be found on our website.
Anything else you need to know?
For more information, including the latest updates and frequently asked questions, visit our website.
If you need to speak to us, please contact us or, report a problem online.
We understand this may be frustrating and appreciate the impact it may have on you. We would like to thank you for using water wisely throughout the summer and for your understanding, support and cooperation.
Thank you
Ruth Jefferson, Chief Executive

Digital Wiltshire

/in News/by Andy Hardwick

Help improve Wiltshire’s connectivity

Digital Wiltshire is a new online tool that lets you quickly report mobile ‘not spots’ (areas with poor or no signal). Whether it’s at home, at work, or when you’re out and about, your feedback helps build a clear picture of where improvements are most needed.

Good digital connectivity is essential for daily life. It supports emergency services, protects vulnerable residents, and ensures rural communities aren’t left behind. Many coverage problems go unreported, so local insight is crucial in shaping future investment and strengthening Wiltshire’s digital infrastructure.

Please explore the Digital Wiltshire platform, report any known mobile coverage issues and share the tool with your friends and families.

Find out more.

Relevant to all but particularly to residents in Brixton Deverill:

Take part in the survey and report mobile ‘not spots’