PROSPECTIVE MPs in Taunton have hit out at the Labour Party’s plans to abandon a £2billion investment to upgrade a major road in Somerset.

One of the candidates said the plans under the party’s manifestos demonstrated a “cavalier abandonment of the South West”.

But the Labour Party say that the delay means significant issues need to be resolved before any work can be carried out.

The Labour Party’s manifesto pledge means that money to improve the A358 from Taunton to Ilminster would instead be used to fund a one-year rail price freeze.

Prospective MPs from around Taunton Deane have spoken of their disappointment at the news.

It comes just months after the Government announced that the road would be upgraded as part of the Autumn Statement which would see a dual carriageway link from the M5 at Taunton to the A303.

Independent Prospective MP for Taunton Deane Mike Rigby said it was a “major mistake” for Labour to cancel the dualling now.

“I have to say that I’ve been sceptical of all the infrastructure ann-ouncements made by the Govern-ment in the run-up to the election.

“The Stonehenge tunnel has been announced four times, always shortly before a general election, and then quietly dropped afterwards.

“Labour cancelling the dualling demonstrates a cavalier abandonment of the South West, a region where they know they'll win almost no seats.”

Prospective Conservative MP Rebecca Pow added: “This proposal from Labour is utter madness. This is one of the local issues that constituents were most concerned about, if not utterly frustrated.

“In addition, without this road investment, the potential for a much needed new high tech business park near the A358 providing vital employment cannot be realised and Taunton Deane will lose out to other areas.”

Rachel Gilmour prospective Liberal Democrat MP added: “It is vital that we continue to build capacity on our roads.

“This major U-turn – threatening to withdraw funding for vital improvements – show Labour aren’t real about the concerns of local people in Taunton Deane.”

But Labour’s prospective MP Neil Guild confirmed that Labour were still fully committed to carrying out the work.

He added: “On the announcement of the postponement of the A358 upgrade the Labour party has been clear that it has not been cancelled.

“The decision to postpone was taken in order to settle the remaining issues around the A303 first.

“As a local candidate who works in the infrastructure field I have been a consistent, long-term advocate of the A358 upgrade; it will mean better links to the south of the town, helping cement Taunton’s position as a regional hub, while also improving the resilience of the road network in the region.

“It is something I will continue to make a strong case for with the Labour Party and as their candidate in Taunton Deane, it is something I am best placed to do.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson was in Somerset on Wednesday to discuss the A358.