Lib Dems Fight for Release of Taxpayers' Money to Be Spent on Improving Districts Road and Cycleway Network

10.41.05am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Aug 2009

Liberal Democrats at West Berkshire Council are demanding an immediate overhaul of the inspection and maintenance of the districts roads, drain covers, footpaths and cycle ways.

Councillor Keith Woodhams Shadow Executive Member for Highways & Transport has highlighted the inadequacy of the inspection and maintenance programme run by the Conservative Administration.

"Many roads in the district are still in urgent need of repair and poorly maintained drain covers are causing serious damage to vehicles. It is taking months for insurance claims to be settled and this is causing even more anxiety for motorists. Cyclists are being discouraged by pot holes often masked by surface water."

"Cllr David Rendel, Shadow Executive Member for Finance has identified that the council spent £400,000 less last year than they predicted. With an additional £1m of taxpayers' money held in reserve over and above that recommended by government, the inspection and maintenance of the districts road infrastructure could be dramatically improved."

"Until the Conservative Administration funds a proper system of repair for our roads, residents will have to continue to fund the cost of repair to their own vehicles."