MINISTER HAS CANCELLED VISIT TO THE A303 - HEATH

6.10.05pm GMT Tue 5th Feb 2008

David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, was disappointed after being told that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport, Tom Harris MP will no longer be attending a long awaited visit to the A303.

The Minister had agreed to visit the stretch of road on the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford and attend a meeting with local representatives from Somerset County Council, South Somerset District Council and Wincanton Town Council to discuss the need for improvements.

Commenting David said:

"I am deeply disappointed that Tom Harris MP has cancelled a visit to the south west, where I had planned to show him first hand the problems with the A303.

For many years now I have been campaigning for someone from the government to visit the stretch of the A303 from Ilchester to Sparkford so that they can finally see for themselves the need for investment on this stretch of road. I was extremely pleased when Mr Harris agreed to come and see for himself the problems of the A303, and it is a great shame that the Government Whips have now apparently prevented him from coming. I will continue to press for him to make the visit and I hope that he will re-arrange his timetable accordingly.

My continuing concern is this government is not listening to the very real safety concerns of the A303 and is displaying the ignorance shown by the government for all rural issues.

While there is a possibility of a meeting with Tom Harris MP in London, it is no substitute for actually visiting the stretch of road. I hope that he will visit one day in the future."