We all know politicians of all persuasions like to talk the talk, writes Phil Hill.
But the big test is whether or not they can walk the walk.
In Taunton, there’s been loads of jaw-jaw going on in and out of the council chamber for some time now, which has been reported in the County Gazette.
I don’t know how often the ‘F’ word has cropped up in the newspaper’s columns or online, but it must be thousands of times.
I’ve also heard the ‘f’ word uttered out of frustration by members of the public angry over the lack of movement.
To be clear, the ‘F’ word happens to be Firepool, while the ‘f’ word thankfully hasn’t seen the light of day in print or on our website.
Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to take a stroll along the recently opened boulevard across the former market plot.
If not, you must.
It’s welcome progress, but not before time.
Look, the cattle market closed in January 2008, more than 18 years ago.
So, how come it’s taken all that time to eventually get something built on the prime site?
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Down the years, we’ve had so many statements - (I’m struggling not to say promises) - suggesting each of those years is the one we’ll finally see some buildings going up.
Bricks on the ground, we’ve been told.
A cinema, shops, pubs, restaurant, offices, homes, they said.
The boulevard’s opening was trumpeted as great news for cricket fans arriving at Taunton station to watch Somerset.
They can now enjoy a direct walk across Firepool to the Cooper Associates County Ground.
You may remember a couple of years ago when the Cricket World Cup came to Taunton.
The muddy mess that was Firepool was rapidly grassed over to impress the rest of the watching world on TV.
I love cricket, and the county’s successes are a real boost for the local economy.
But there is so much more to Taunton than just watching our local stars smashing a leather ball out of the ground and into the River Tone.
The town is a fantastic place to live, work and play.
It’s not far off two decades since the cows’ moos fell silent off Priory Bridge Road.
We need something on Firepool soon.
The public can get their steps in by walking the walk across the lovely new boulevard.
Now’s the time for our politicians to quit talking the talk and to pick up the pace and do their bit walking the walk.
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