The tremendous news announced yesterday that the UK Hydrographic Office is to remain in Taunton will come as a huge relief to employees and the community.

 

This has been hanging over the employees and their families for years and it is good and only right that this uncertainty has been ended by the Government. This now allows the UKHO to move forward with certainty and plan their future in Taunton. This decision allows a first class organisation to continue providing first class employment opportunities for Taunton and its community.

Press Release 9 October 2007

From Cllr John Williams

Leader Conservative Group, Taunton Deane Borough Council

 

 

UKHO Employees secure in knowledge they will remain in Taunton

 

 

Cllr John Williams said “This is testament to all the hard work our administration and officers put in to ensure the Government were fully aware of the value of the UKHO to Taunton. This involved meetings with Ministers and many meetings with the management of UKHO to ensure we presented a united front to Government to ensure they fully understood the economic, social and environmental consequences of the relocation that was being contemplated.

 

This is a victory for common sense, what message would be given to investors in the regeneration of Taunton if it had been undermined at the start by the loss of such an important employer as UKHO? It would have been a real body blow to the local economy. This was team working at its best and I am grateful to everybody for their support to ensure this campaign has ended so successfully with the retention of such an important employer in Taunton.

 

We must also not forget that the operations of the UKHO are acclaimed internationally and from its base in Taunton it is recognised as the foremost producer of marine charts for a world wide market. A position it has held for more than 200 years and currently more than £50 million worth of charts are produced from here each year.”