Latest news with #GideonAmos
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
MPs could vote to force government to build 150,000 social homes a year
A proposed change to the Planning and Infrastructure bill would demand a 150,000 target for building social homes this Parliament LIb Dem MPs will push for a vote to force the government to set a target on social homes. A proposed change to the Planning and Infrastructure bill would demand a 150,000 target for building social homes this Parliament. It comes amid reports Deputy PM Angela Rayner is locked in a struggle with the Treasury over the Housing budget ahead of this weeks spending review. Agreement has yet to be reached on funding for the Housing department, which is responsible for delivering Labour 's target of 1.5 million new homes - including a promised social housing 'revolution' - by the end of the Parliament. The Lib Dems amendment would also make it mandatory for new car parks to have solar panels on them. And it would create a pubic register of donations made to the Housing Secretary from developers whose projects they have commissioned, dating back ten years. Liberal Democrat Housing and Planning Spokesperson Gideon Amos MP said: "For too long, planning and infrastructure regulations have been in the slow lane, preventing economic growth that would help put money back into British families' pockets. 'If the Government is serious about kickstarting the economy, they need to be far more ambitious. This starts with finally setting a social housing target, and pushing ahead with the healthcare, GPs, transport and energy infrastructure that communities want to see come first where new housing is proposed.' The Party is also pushing for stricter protections for local wildlife and habitats, with requirements on ministers and Natural England to take steps to prevent and reduce adverse effects on the environment. One of their amendments would also ensure development corporations provide green spaces in all new developments.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wellington Somerset station 'still firmly under consideration'
Wellington station 'still firmly under consideration' Just now Share Save Ruth Bradley Politics reporter, BBC Somerset Share Save Network Rail Artist impression of the new Wellington railway station The government has said it is still considering the case for a new railway station in Wellington in Somerset. It comes after the project was among dozens of transport schemes shelved last year because of financial pressures. A transport minister has now said in Parliament that the "potential merits of the Cullompton and Wellington rail stations are still firmly under consideration". A further decision is expected this summer when HM Treasury announces its spending review. Gideon Amos MP, Liberal Democrat, Taunton and Wellington told Tuesday's debate the development would be a major economic and social boost for Somerset. "Wellington is a growing town, which has had around 2,000 new homes in the last few years and has a projected 41% increase in housing numbers. "That will mean about 6,000 more residents, and without the railway station, that is unlikely to be possible." Responding, Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport acknowledged Wellington had a strong case. "Reopening Wellington station presents an potential for a significant mode-shift from car to rail particularly for journeys between Wellington and Taunton, Exeter, Bristol and Bridgwater. "Additionally, improved rail connectivity would reduce travel times and enhance journey reliability while also promoting sustainable transport options," he said. Wellington lost its station in the Beeching cuts of the mid-1960s. Reuters Transport minister Simon Lightwood said there was a clear strategic objective to reopening Wellington station The minister told the debate that the combined Wellington and Cullompton stations project had already received £6.15 million to complete the full business case and most of the design work. He said it was estimated that an investment of about £45 million of additional funding is needed to complete delivery of the stations. However due to "the difficult financial situation inherited from the previous government" he said it would not be possible for all transport projects to continue, particularly those "where spades are not in the ground". Mr Lightwood also said: "The Department recognises that the reopening of Cullompton and Wellington rail stations would be a strategic investment in the future of those communities." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Millions wasted' if new rail station does not open
Millions of pounds will be wasted if plans to open a new railway station are cancelled, an MP has claimed. Proposals to build Wellington station in Somerset were paused last year by the government. Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, said land has already been bought, meaning axing the project could end up costing the taxpayer. He will lead a delegation from the town to meet Lord Peter Hendy, the rail minister, later. "Millions of pounds has gone into it already, including land contributed... the access road has been contributed," Mr Amos said. A Department for Transport spokesperson said the authority is "committed to delivering transport infrastructure that will boost growth and opportunity across the whole country". "The government inherited an extremely challenging financial position, and these projects will be subject to the upcoming Spending Review," they added. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Mr Amos told BBC Radio Somerset that the addition of a station would bring a financial benefit to the town, believing it has the highest cost-benefit of any station reopening project in the country. He added that all of the millions of pounds already sunk into the project will be wasted if the station is now axed. Town councillor Keith Wheatley, who is part of the delegation, said the main benefit of a station would be taking pressure off local roads for commuters. "Wellington is becoming a town full of new housing, and a lot of the people living there commute to jobs in Bristol or Exeter, so there's congestion on the M5 - they don't really have an alternative," he said. Mr Wheatley added there would also be aspirational benefits, allowing more young people to travel to nearby universities without the expense of renting accommodation. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. New rail station will have 'very basic facilities' Calls for rail stations to be built amid urgent need MP wants clarity over plans for station reopening
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Millions wasted' if Wellington rail station is cancelled
Millions of pounds will be wasted if plans to open a new railway station are cancelled, an MP has to build Wellington station in Somerset were paused last year by the government. Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, said land has already been bought, meaning axing the project could end up costing the taxpayer. He will lead a delegation from the town to meet Lord Peter Hendy, the rail minister, later."Millions of pounds has gone into it already, including land contributed... the access road has been contributed," Mr Amos said. A Department for Transport spokesperson said the authority is "committed to delivering transport infrastructure that will boost growth and opportunity across the whole country"."The government inherited an extremely challenging financial position, and these projects will be subject to the upcoming Spending Review," they added. Mr Amos told BBC Radio Somerset that the addition of a station would bring a financial benefit to the town, believing it has the highest cost-benefit of any station reopening project in the added that all of the millions of pounds already sunk into the project will be wasted if the station is now axed. Town councillor Keith Wheatley, who is part of the delegation, said the main benefit of a station would be taking pressure off local roads for commuters."Wellington is becoming a town full of new housing, and a lot of the people living there commute to jobs in Bristol or Exeter, so there's congestion on the M5 - they don't really have an alternative," he Wheatley added there would also be aspirational benefits, allowing more young people to travel to nearby universities without the expense of renting accommodation.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Headlines: Tree set on fire and rare lamb quins born
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. There is just an 'E' left to paint before the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood is complete, says Bristol Live. A 350-year-old oak tree set on fire in Stroud and the "fight to save it" has been reported by the Stroud News & Journal. The fire is believed to have been started by books being wedged inside the trunk and set alight. The future of the Debenhams building in Taunton has been a popular story for the County Gazette as "breakthrough" talks happen with MP Gideon Amos. Work has started on 146 new homes on the Bath Press site, says Somerset Live. And there has been a 'one in a million' birth in Somerset – five lambs were born from the same ewe at a farm in Shapwick. Buildings cut into ancient monument could be removed Direct Bristol-Oxford trains could run every hour New bus gate installed overnight despite protest There are lots of pictures of the partial lunar eclipse, with thanks to our Weather Watchers for some wonderful photos. Read more about the event here. Bristol City has had to ask its supporters to stop throwing objects, saying any form of abuse "will not be tolerated". The Festival of Archaeology is set to return to Gloucester this summer. And have ever seen your food bin contents go straight in the back of a bin lorry? Swindon Borough Council explains there are actually two compartments in there, assuring people on Facebook it is not all going in the same heap. Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
