Rebecca Pow's message to Taunton Deane constituents

Last week we featured a story on an LibDem initiative to boost Taunton.

In the interests of the Gazette's long-held impartiality stance, we have allowed Ms Pow to write the following message to her constituents.

SINCE 2015, I have been honoured and proud to represent the people of Taunton Deane, handling thousands of constituent enquiries and collaborating with my team in Taunton and in Westminster to help with the issues that matter to you.

I am pleased to have progressed some major developments and campaigns whilst also focussing on issues that are important to you, such as, school places, healthcare, and housing.

It has been my mission to make Taunton the wonderful place it is to work and live in and I will continue working to make sure you and your families are able to live your lives the way you choose.

As we look forward to Armed Forces Day this weekend our revered 40 Commando Royal Marines are very much in our minds. They form a much-valued place in our constituency, and I am immensely proud that in my early days as your MP, I was able to work with others to turn around the proposal put forward in a review of the defence estate, to move 40 Commando and all it represents to Plymouth.

It was a heartfelt and determined campaign and I was so proud of the level of public support. Together, we convinced Westminster officials of the value of retaining 40 Commando at Norton Manor Camp and now thankfully they are firmly embedded there for the future.

I fought similarly with a team to make the case for the UKHO to remain in Taunton, rather than moving to Exeter. This successful campaign means that this world-leading business continues to grow and thrive, providing vital jobs and expertise that is valued globally.

Transport is a crucial issue in the area and with that in mind one of my initial election commitments was the upgrade of Taunton Station. Securing the multi-million pound funding for this has enabled the much needed transformation, delivering the new ticket office and multi-storey car park which was opened in 2021. Completing the picture, further Government funds have just enabled the road junction leading to the station to be completed.

I have also worked hard to secure the £14million awarded to us by the Highstreets Fund. That is £170 per constituent in Taunton Deane. A portion of this funding is currently being used to develop the cycle and walkways through the adjacent Firepool development into the town and onto Vivary Park. The future vision of Firepool is coming alive before our eyes and as we recover from Covid and get our highstreets thriving again, I just want to say to all the local grafters that worked to keep all of our communities alive, you earned it, and you deserve it.

Many will also have noticed the commanding Somerset Digital Innovation Hub rising from the Firepool landscape, the £5m for this project was secured from a Local Enterprise Partnership bid made via the previous Conservative district council - one of the only successful bids in the region and it’s great to see it opening soon. It will be a huge benefit to new businesses needing support to grow and develop. It's just the kind of innovation we need in the county town, especially so younger residents have the ability to fulfil their potential.

Whilst much has been achieved, there is always more to do, and some projects are ongoing not least the ambition to bring a rail station to Wellington. I've been chairing the metro rail group since 2015 bringing together key stakeholders from local councils, Wellington town council, GWR and network rail. Gradually we have worked our way through the multiple stages of the Department of Transport process to bring us closer to our aim. Planning permission has recently been submitted and we are now in the final stages, awaiting a final decision from the Government.

In a similarly game-changing project, it was welcome news that the government has recently committed to the complete upgrade of Musgrove Park Hospital with a view to completion by 2030. I have been working with the excellent leadership team for many years, and already much progress has been made. In a parliamentary debate in January 2018, I made the case for new operating theatres, following up with a petition which I presented in parliament, and we were delighted to be awarded the funding for the new surgical centre, endoscopy unit and critical care facilities. They will open in 2025. The next phase will see a much-needed new maternity unit currently in antiquated WW2 buildings (where I had all three of my children) alongside further development of a children’s unit and cancer and emergency services. This will also help fulfil one of Rishi Sunak’s five priorities to get waiting lists down.

Finally, as ever, ensuring a healthy, sustainable farming sector and environment remain one of my top priorities, having specialised in these areas throughout my life and now in my role as Environment Minister. Seeing our local farmers engage with the new environmental land management schemes and the Taunton Garden Town blossom is an exciting prospect for the future.

I am so blessed to represent both this urban area and rural hinterland and my message to you today is that I will continue to represent your interests so that everyone in Taunton Deane has the chance to succeed. Having growth and opportunity in your local community gives you the freedom to live the life you want. I will continue to champion this so that every person in every community has a chance to share in this freedom.