THE recent inferno that lay waste to the Grand Pier brought into sharp focus the reliance of Weston on the single industry of tourism. It highlighted the essential need

THE recent inferno that lay waste to the Grand Pier brought into sharp focus the reliance of Weston on the single industry of tourism. It highlighted the essential need not only for a strong and vibrant tourism industry and the negative consequences of this being damaged in any way, but also the need for more diversity of industry in the town. As a matter of urgency Weston needs other sources of investment that will create long term, sustainable prosperity through the creation of jobs in the town.It is no use successive Lib Dem and Tory MPs and council leaders blaming the Government and each other for their failures in this area. The North Somerset representatives on the district council need to engage positively with the Government and the various strategic bodies that have been established to achieve the objective of increased investment in the town.However, the Government also needs to understand that it is simply not acceptable to withhold investment in key infrastructure projects, such as plans to improve junction 21 and ease access onto the M5, and they need to be more realistic in their analysis of the consequence of Government actions, such as the restructuring of Weston tax office. If this goes ahead, rush hour journey times will add more than five minutes to the average commute into Bristol and this also needs to be recognised. There exists a window of opportunity in Weston and it is important that the Government, council and industry recognise this and invest resources to secure long term prosperity for its citizens.DAVID BRADLEY - Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Weston