Regional Spatial Strategy (South-West)

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 10:59 am on 22 January 2008.

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Photo of John Penrose John Penrose Conservative, Weston-Super-Mare 10:59, 22 January 2008

My hon. Friend makes an eloquent case. I shall add to the evidence that he cites by explaining the situation in my constituency, where precisely the point that he has just made applies, too. There is appalling traffic congestion on junction 21 of the M5, and a variety of related problems with local infrastructure and services because of the failure to plan for a sustainable community rather than for a dormitory. Instead, the focus has been on predict-and-provide housing provision, with which local services have not kept up.

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bryan mcgrath
Posted on 23 Jan 2008 2:27 pm (Report this annotation)

Mr. Penrose, who appears to attend the house less and less, chooses to address an issue that helped him win the seat in 2005, i.e. congestion at J22 of the M5. That together with congestion in Banwell (Mr. Penrose's alleged "home village") formed the basis of endless propaganda.

His solution?
Continue the whingeing

MJ R
Posted on 23 Jan 2008 4:30 pm (Report this annotation)

This one's about J21 (St Georges) congestion, but same difference.

It looks a bit like points-scoring against the previous LibDem leadership of his local council. I don't expect the Conservatives now in control to do any better: solutions like building a real multi-directional (Weston and Bristol at least) multimodal transport interchange near Worle needs joined-up government across environment, transport, planning and economic departments and I think John Penrose's comments suggests he thinks it could be achieved by planning alone.

bryan mcgrath
Posted on 20 Sep 2008 4:51 pm (Report this annotation)

I think the solution is better traffic management, however, a multi-directional section between WSM and Bristol, I have my doubts.

My suggestion, try traffic-light control on ALL exits/entry points of Junction 22, sorry junction 21.

Banwell, a nuclear device?? Al-Qaeda "X" marks the spot. Alternatively an intelligent "traffic aware" tidal traffic light system, certainly between 07:30 - 09:30 and 16:00 - 18:30 on Monday to Friday.

The problem with Banwell is Banwellians: somehow they expect to be exempt from the solution

mark simpson
Posted on 6 Oct 2008 3:11 pm

This annotation has been removed