Our Plan for the Cheddar Valley

Over the years, Graham and Jeff have made progress in Axevale, Cheddar, Axbridge and Shipham, while keeping Council Tax low.

While Sedgemoor and Somerset were run by Conservatives, at County and District Council levels, they delivered consistent, high quality services, tackling climate change and investing in our communities.

In Sedgemoor, the Conservatives consistently delivered value for money for everyone, including:-

- Building new community facilities, sports centres, play areas and improving parks and village halls

- Supporting businesses and individuals hit by Coronavirus

- Fighting climate change

The new unitary Somerset Council should provide opportunities for making more changes that have been long overdue in our villages and town and the key points on which we'd like to see action are as follows:-

  • Improving traffic flow and traffic congestion

    We want a common-sense approach to traffic management, which has got worse and worse in recent years. We would like to see the Magic Roundabout remodelled, the Cheddar Recycling Centre relocated to a nearby location, a potential one-way system in Axbridge and an average speed camera on the Axbridge bypass.

  • Fighting any new large developments in Cheddar Valley

    We have all had enough of new housing estates in Cheddar and Axbridge and we have taken the fight to the planners, alongside the parish and town councils. We firmly believe that our uniquely beautiful countryside should not become more urban sprawl, as has happened elsewhere.

  • Protecting the environment and improving biodiversity

    Our core motivation is leaving the world a better place than we found it and if we to stand any chance of doing that we have to fight. We cannot sit back and expect others to make the changes we need to see. That's why we put the environment and biodiversity first.

  • Finally sorting out the problems of the Gorge

    Cheddar Gorge should be an asset for the local community, rather than a distraction. Our discussions with the police include the potential closure of the Gorge to traffic at certain times over the weekends and installing noise cameras that penalise drivers in deliberately noisy cars, as well as a more visible police presence.

  • Getting people out of their cars

    We want to see an increase in the provision of subsidised buses and improved safe routes for cycling and walking, the completion of the Strawberry Line and at the same time, encouragement for more local sporting activities and facilities.

  • Supporting our local businesses

    We have been working with local traders and business owners to help Covid recovery.

    We would also like to see more community events, such as a possible Cheddar Cheese Festival, as well as an increase in tourism.