TRAFFIC VICTORY FOR TORIES (25/10/02)

Somerset County Council’s Executive agreed to go ahead with the planned bridge over Silk Mills and the proposed park and ride complex.

Conservative deputy leader, Colin Hill, commented at the Executive meeting, “I hope this council learns from other councils that penalising the motorist will not help traffic problems in Taunton.Please do not rush in and demand people leave their cars behind, without providing a decent park and ride for them to use.Let’s commit ourselves to these plans.And for a change, can we please get on and do it!”

The plans for Silk Mills will benefit Taunton in two ways.Not only will a park and ride service ease the congestion within the town, but, the bridge over the railway will reduce traffic jams during rush hour.

One local resident, Stuart Pearcy, is frequently delayed at Silk Mills.He is relieved that the traffic nightmare is being addressed.He said, “I am delighted that the County Council has finally acknowledged that there is a problem at Silk Mills.The junction is a nightmare for motorists who have to use it in order to get to work.It often feels that as a car-user one has something to feel ashamed about.But, in Somerset, there is little alternative.Driving to work does not make me a bad person.But poor planning makes for bad roads.”

Conservative spokesman for Transport, Denis Underhill, is pleased that Conservative hard work has paid off at County Hall.He said, “It was the Conservatives who convinced the Liberal Democrats to increase spending on Somerset’s roads.At last the fruits of our foresight are seeing fruition.I only hope that this fits into a strategic plan for Taunton.”