We contacted all of the candidates vying for your vote to be the next MP for the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency, asking each of them the same questions. We've taken their responses exactly as they were sent to us - so you know where each of the candidates stand, to help you decide who to vote for.

Here's their responses to the question:

What steps will you take to improve public transport and reduce traffic congestion in our towns?

Meg Powell-Chandler - Conservative:

"Conservatives in Government have introduced and then extended the £2 bus fare supporting cheaper journeys on public transport. I'm pleased that the Conservative manifesto contained a pledge to extend the £2 bus fare cap in England for the entirety of the next parliament."

Craig Clarke - Independent:

"Lets get the Banwell by-pass finally done after so many years of pain.

I would like to explore the costing of a solar-powered monorail that runs above the old Strawberry line from Wells to Cheddar to Bristol Airport and Bristol centre. I understand it could get a commuter from Cheddar to the centre of Bristol in 30 minutes - think about it - no parking - no traffic - and a comfortable journey with a wonderful view of our amazing countryside - and Green and Climate-friendly."

Helen Hims - Reform UK:

"Stop the war on motorists: Legislate to ban all ULEZ and low traffic neighbourhoods. We will scrap bans on selling petrol & diesel cars, and the legal requirements for manufacturers to sell electric cars. In this rural constituency cheap, reliable transport is absolutely essential."

Abi McGuire - Independent:

"This item has come up repeatedly in parish meetings. Our bus service is extremely limited and unreliable. I am already in partnership and supportive of the Wells Bus Users Group. I will work in partnership with our two unitary authorities to support the improvement of public transport which in turn would relieve traffic congestion."

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats:

"Everyone should have convenient and affordable options to get around – whether to work or to the shops, to school or to hospital or to visit friends and family. Conservative Ministers have badly neglected our transport infrastructure and they have cut the funding for local bus routes.

We'd take action to boost bus services by giving local authorities more powers to franchise services and simplifying funding, so that bus routes can be restored or new routes added where there is local need, especially in rural areas.

We'd extend half-fares on buses and trains to 18-year-olds, and bring in a "Young Person's Bus Card", giving 19- to 25-year-olds a third off bus fares. We'd also freeze rail fares and simplify ticketing on public transport to ensure regular users are paying fair and affordable prices.

We'd transform how people travel by creating new cycling and walking networks with a new nationwide active travel strategy. This is really important for us here as we lack safe routes to move in and out of our city and towns to more rural areas, leaving people with no option but to use a car.

We'd reopen smaller stations, improving the train network. Since the closure of the Strawberry Railway Line, we have been in a black spot for rail infrastructure in large parts of the Wells and Mendip Hills area."

Joe Joseph - Labour and Co-op:

"The best solution is to give local people control over their transport networks. This means delegating powers to councils so that there is proper accountability for decisions and so that they can meet local needs. This will address congestion in places like Wells, but also help give people in Shepton and elsewhere the links to get to work and college, and reduce the cost of living. We will also reform the planning system to develop the infrastructure that communities need."

Peter Welsh- Green Party:

No response was received.

How will you ensure that infrastructure development meets the needs of our growing population?

Meg Powell-Chandler - Conservative:

"We need to make sure Somerset and North Somerset Councils use the new Infrastructure Levy to deliver the GP surgeries, roads and other local infrastructure needed to support homes. These funds should not be able to be spent on community projects that bear no relation to support for new homes."

Craig Clarke - Independent:

"I will ask all councils in the constituency to BLOCK ALL new large developers building homes until:

• One new community hospital is open and treating patients
• One new secondary school is open and teaching our children.
• When all constituency residents who wish are able to get to see a dentist.
• All potholes in roads in constituency are filled. They are dangerous."

Helen Hims - Reform UK:

"Tighter regulation and new ownership model for critical national infrastructure: Around 70% of our water companies, 80% of our gas power stations & offshore wind farms, and 100% of our nuclear power stations are foreign-owned. We will launch a new model that brings 50% of each utility into public ownership. The other 50% would be owned by UK pension funds."

Abi McGuire - Independent:

"This is another common topic at parish council meetings where housing developments have been completed without supporting infrastructure. This must be taken into our planning with future developments to support our growing communities."

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats:

"I strongly disagree with the Conservatives' view that Councils should be made to bid against each other for basic infrastructure funding.

Lib Dems believe local authorities are best placed to make transport decisions for their communities. There is no one-size-fits-all approach which would work across the UK.

We'd give more of the roads budget to local councils to maintain existing roads, pavements, and cycleways, including repairing potholes.

We'd roll out far more Electric Vehicle charging points, including residential on-street points and ultra-fast chargers at service stations. Infrastructure is not keeping up with demand.

We'd significantly extend the electrification of Britain's rail network, improve stations, greatly improve disabled access, and reopen smaller stations, as well as being proactive in sanctioning and ultimately sacking train operators if they fail to provide a high-quality public service to their customers.

We'd also extend cycle and walking networks as a priority."

Joe Joseph - Labour and Co-op:

"The best solution is to give local people control over their transport networks. This means delegating powers to councils so that there is proper accountability for decisions and so that they can meet local needs. This will address congestion in places like Wells, but also help give people in Shepton and elsewhere the links to get to work and college, and reduce the cost of living. We will also reform the planning system to develop the infrastructure that communities need."

Peter Welsh- Green Party:

No response was received.