Kendall attacks Tory plans to slash spending on potholes

6.46.42pm GMT Tue 15th Jan 2008

Cllr David Kendall, Brentwood Lib Dem Group Leader, has attacked the Conservatives running Essex County Council over their abject failure to finance highway repairs properly. Just a few weeks ago the Tories announced a £10 million overspend on the highways budget.

The Conservatives have now announced changes to their highways maintenance strategy that will mean residents having to get used to bigger potholes being around for longer as a consequence of their failure to balance the funding of road maintenance properly.

The basic premise now seems to be wait until damage to road surfaces get worse before even looking to see whether it should be fixed or not. The Conservatives are recommending that when dealing with misaligned kerbs, for example, there is no commitment at all to provide a date for the work to be carried out.

Cllr Kendall said "In my view Brentwood residents already get a raw deal from the County Council when it comes to spending on local roads and footpaths and this news is only likely to make the situation even worse. The County Council get a lot of Council Tax money from our residents but we are failing to get much back in return particularly in areas like highways and public transport. It is time the County got their finances in order and gave Brentwood residents the quality services they deserve".

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