FIRSTLY, I must praise the Government for designating Taunton as a future ‘garden town’, a green town.

Since I have lived in the centre of Taunton for nearly four years, I have always made comments and suggestions to the borough council, Rebecca Pow and the County Gazette.

Now, at last, the Government has used its initiative and given the green light to Taunton town. But, I think partly because of the need for more social housing within the town and to keep pace with the proposed new urban developments.

I have travelled the length and breadth of Britain and today Taunton is seriously lagging behind.

To create this new county garden town and suburbs, the council will have to put forward a case to government for better infrastructure too. More schools, medical centres, with backup social services, continued extension and improvements at Musgrove Park Hospital and a viable road, public transport and pedestrianised network including the management of the River Tone joining the River Parrett on the Levels to avoid a repeat of the 2015 flooding.

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During the past 10 years, Taunton – the county town – has been in serious decline and become sad, neglected, lifeless and with the increase in passing traffic, is now dirty with rising pollution levels.

Please don’t let Taunton be the last town to complete improvements under this new initiative.

A creative, vibrant ‘think-tank’ group is required now to oversee the whole garden town project.

I have visited Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth and still, after 100 years, relevant as good examples.

At this stage, I do not wish to comment on the concrete and glass jungle proposed for Coal Orchard, I’m sure there will be further exhibitions proposed for development of this area, Firepool and the old Lidl site to be discussed with the general public.

No, today Taunton has to think quickly and have a good clean-up job, in readiness for hosting many visitors descending on the town for the important England versus South Africa international cricket match in early June.

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At present, there is no time for endless meetings, action has to begin today for Taunton to be ready.

The past 10 years has seen decline which should not have happened. Many cities and towns like Bristol, Exeter, Salisbury, Dorchester, Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater have all regenerated during the recession so please, no excuses, begin the temporary regeneration for 2017 today.

PA PERDEAUX
Coal Orchard
Taunton