This week Rebecca Pow, MP re-voiced her call for the crucial upgrade of the A358 to bring home to the new government that this project should remain a priority for Taunton Deane and the wider South West.
Rebecca Pow took the opportunity to get this on the agenda during the Chancellors and his new teams’ first Treasury Questions since the re-shuffle.
In her question Rebecca asked:
‘There is a great need in the South-West to provide more high-skilled jobs to boost productivity. In order to do that, we need to attract the right business. In this post-EU world, could the Chancellor kindly give his commitment, to the much praised so far, A358 upgrade for those in Somerset?’
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gaulke, responded in a positive manner, reiterating the Government’s commitment to large infrastructure project such as this in the south west.
The formation of a new government following the Brexit decision has necessitated ministerial changes and Rebecca is working hard on key projects and she has been focusing on with stakeholders so that they do not lose momentum on delivery. To this end she is not only publicly highlighting these projects but also having Ministerial meetings relating to the Taunton Rail transformation, the A358 upgrade and the potential for a metro-style station at Wellington. She is also pressing on progress relating to the apprenticeship scheme, climate change targets and plans for future funding of farming and the countryside.
Rebecca said:
‘Much has changed in politics over the last month and I have been keen to speak to as many Ministers as possible to keep up the pressure on everything I have been working on over the past 14 months. It is important that funding remains in place for the planned projects in Taunton Deane and that there is no delay in proposed delivery of them. I am confident that this can happen because the Conservative government have put in place a sound long term economic plan meaning that our economy is strong enough to cope with any speed bumps in the road. I look forward to watching Taunton Deane grow further and will continue to work to achieve the best for the area within our changed circumstances.’