FIREFIGHTERS will have a better chance of saving lives if Ditton Street is turned into a northbound one-way system, according to some residents and town leaders.

The fate of Ilminster was decided when a southbound one-way system was approved on June 8 by the South Somerset District Council Area West planning committee.

But many say this system will add precious minutes to the journey time of retained fire-fighters in the town.

At the Area West meeting, retained fire-fighter Barry Paull said the southbound one-way system would add a three or four minute delay, due to the majority of the town's fire-fighters living on the south side of Ilminster.

Mr Paull told the News: "The northbound one-way is not going to separate two sides of the town. It will take people longer to get home, but it is saving minutes for the fire-fighters.

"If somebody is in a burning building for an extra three minutes, there's little hope for them.

"Northbound is 100% better."