Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow today received an overwhelmingly positive assurance from the Chancellor, George Osborne, that this Conservative Government would definitely provide funding for the long awaited and much needed upgrade of the A358, including the Henlade bypass and Junction 25 of the M5.

Campaigning for this road development in conjunction with interested parties has been a key priority for Rebecca for almost two years and since her election it has been one of the top issues on which she has pressed the Department of Transport and the Treasury, this included a detailed submission to the Treasury ahead of the recent budget. Today Rebecca Pow, MP, said:

‘I was delighted that in answer to my question in the Chamber today in which I was seeking assurance that this crucial road upgrade will  get the funding required to ensure it definitely happens,  the Chancellor gave absolute confirmation that the money would be forthcoming. He could not have been plainer! He assured me that there is no question that the A358, associated Henlade bypass and the junction 25/  M5 improvement will definitely be included in the £7.2billion commitment to  transport infrastructure in the wider South West.’

In response to the question posed by Rebecca Pow the Chancellor said:

‘The short answer is yes. All those vital projects for Somerset and the south-west are included in a massive investment in the transport of the south-west.’

A delighted Rebecca said:  ‘The A358 is the busiest road in Somerset and is a strategic route linking the A303 with the M5. Upgrading it will ease the traffic for locals and tourists as well as benefiting business. Crucially the upgrade will unlock the potential for a strategic employment site to open adjacent to the motorway junction bringing with it much needed high quality jobs.’   

To progress the project further I have invited Roads Minister Andrew Jones to visit the site for himself and am delighted that he has taken up my offer and will be coming to visit key stakeholders in the very near future to assess the situation on the ground.  I have recently met with concerned local groups as well in relation to the A358 and have already pressed upon the Minster the need to work with local people and all relevant departments to ensure that this is a sensitive development and to make sure the environmental impact is kept to a minimum.

The A358 road project was one of only two road projects in the country which Labour identified in their manifesto that they would axe. I am delighted that this Government understands the merits of going ahead with this vital project.’