Woodspring to become North Somerset….

A Short Introduction to Woodspring  

The history of Woodspring as a Constituency is relatively short. It was created by the Boundary Commission in 1983 following the realignment of the constituencies of Weston-Super-Mare and North Somerset.  The new area created between the new constituencies of Weston-Super-Mare and Wansdyke was named Woodspring.

The constituency extends between two rivers with the Avon running along the north-east edge and the Congresbury Yeo to the south.  It includes the three main towns of Clevedon on the west coast, Nailsea to the south, and Portishead to the north, along with smaller surrounding villages like Backwell, Easton-in-Gordano, and Long Ashton.

Being located between the two large urban areas of Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare, many of the local towns are home to commuters although with the major redevelopment of Portishead docks and Bristol International Airport located in the constituency many new jobs are being created locally.

Changing Boundaries

Whenever the next General Election is called the constituency of Woodspring will change in both shape and in name. In 2000 a review by the Boundary Commission of England was conducted into the boundaries that make up the constituencies of Woodspring and Weston-Super-Mare.  This review concluded that Wrington ward, which had been split between the two constituencies, should be entirely encompassed by Woodspring and that the constituency itself should be renamed ‘North Somerset’.

The new constituency of North Somerset will officially be made up of 23 wards: Backwell, Clevedon Central, Clevedon East, Clevedon North, Clevedon South, Clevedon Walton, Clevedon West, Clevedon Yeo, Easton-in-Gordano, Gordano, Nailsea East, Nailsea North and West, Pill, Portishead Central, Portishead Coast, Portishead East, Portishead Redcliffe Bay, Portishead South and North Weston, Portishead West, Winford, Wraxall and Long Ashton, Wrington, and Yatton.

Local News and Issues

Expansion of Bristol International Airport

Bristol Intentional Airport’s Master Plan for the development of the airport currently aims to handle 9 million passengers by 2015 (up from 4.5 million in 2004). There are a number of concerns regarding this plan: that the impact on regional economies has not been properly studied, that the local infrastructure is inadequate to deal with the planned expansion, and the increased noise associated with more flights. Liam has said “I am not against all airport expansion, but we should expect objective data to form a part of the Government's case, as well as considerations of environmental issues and local transport infrastructure. As it stands I do not believe that BIA has made a good enough case for expansion”.

New Rail Links Needed to the Region

With a population of about 20,000 and thousands more homes currently being planned, Portishead is one of the fastest-growing towns in the country. In the House of Commons Liam said “The consequence of the growth in housing and population in Portishead, combined with inadequate transport infrastructure, has resulted in what is now probably the most overcrowded cul-de-sac in Britain. The Portishead railway action group has carried out an extensive analysis of the possibility of extending the current service to Severn Beach and on to Portishead. The proposed service could be operated without conflicting with other passenger services at key junctions, and safety margins could be maintained. The scheme delivers on all four regional transport strategy objectives. It would reduce the impact of transport on the environment, securing better access to work and creating a modern, efficient and integrated transport system. Unless the situation is dealt with comprehensively, the quality of life for many residents of an expanding Portishead will diminish unnecessarily.”

School Shortages

Local residents have been petitioning to increase the availability of school places for children in and around Long Ashton. 23 children who live in the village have been unable to get a place for 2008.  Liam has been contacted by a number of residents about the issue and will be continuing to work with residents and North Somerset Council to resolve it. He has said that “ the Government sets unrealistic housing targets without giving local authorities the money to provide adequate infrastructure, including school places. Clearly, this is not going to be a one off problem and I think it is imperative that the Council tries to assess the scale of this problem in the years ahead to determine what increases in local capacity will be needed to prevent an ongoing recurrence of this year’s difficulties.”

Bovine Tuberculosis Spread

In the last 10 years the number of cattle slaughtered because of infection by Bovine Tuberculosis has risen seven-fold. The problem is projected to cost to the taxpayer approximately £300 million by 2012/13.  Liam has met with many local farmers affected by TB and also with the National Farmers Union to discuss the issue. He has called for the Government to get on top of this serious disease, including the increased use of the gamma interferon test in hot spot areas and the urgent licensing of a vaccine for badgers.  He said “We all want to see healthy wildlife alongside healthy cattle, but unless action begins soon the prospect of either is bleak.”

Regional Schools Debating Competition   

In November Liam acted as Mr Speaker in the final of the Annual Woodspring School’s Debating Competition. The competition was founded by Liam in 1993 and involves all state secondary schools within the original Woodspring constituency boundary. In this year’s finals were two teams each from Chew Valley, Gordano, and Nailsea schools. In one of the best-fought debates of the series the team from Chew Valley school were triumphant in their arguments against the motion to raise the school leaving age to 18. Liam was pleased to host the winners for lunch and tour in the House of Commons to celebrate. All of the participating runners up were invited to a tour of the House of Commons, after which they had tea with Liam.

This competition is sponsored by local business, if you are a business interested in sponsoring in full or part, this event please contact Helene Vaughan at Liam’s constituency office on 01275 790090.