 |
Maidstone and the Weald
|
Maidstone chokes as Conservatives spend £4.5million on 'tarting-up' the High Street
April 29, 2010 7:10 AM
Maidstone is choking
At last week's full council meeting Cllr Christopher Garland, leader of Maidstone's Conservative administration, once again attacked the Liberal Democrats for our refusal to support his cabinet's High Street regeneration proposals.
Peter Carroll and Fran Wilson want to see more spent on dealing with traffic congestion and less spent on paving slabs and street lights in the High Street
In reply Fran Wilson, Lib Dem opposition leader said she was growing tired of this constant refrain from the Conservatives. In reality it had nothing to do with 'vision' but instead had everything to do with where the two parties placed emphasis in financially straightened times. The Liberal Democrats firmly believe that if we are to 'kick start' our local economy and protect the health of residents, top priority must be given to tackling our severe traffic congestion and resultant poor air quality.
On the other hand, the Conservatives have put the resurfacing of the High Street at the top of their agenda. On 3rd March Councillor Garland, leader of the council, told councillors, press and public that an independent report had been published which showed the High Street project would bring £3 million year on year into Maidstone's economy. Despite frequent requests, no-one has been able to provide a copy of this 'published' report and when Cllr Fran Wilson raised this matter, Cllr Garland avoided giving a direct reply.
Subsequently, in recent Conservative election literature, this £3 million figure has magically inflated to £4 million but still without the evidence to support the claim. No organisation, least of all a public service such as Maidstone Council should proceed to spend £4 and a half million of public money on what, in essence, is a sterile expanse of paving slabs and new lamp posts, while any imagined benefits it may bring remain unsubstantiated. This applies especially, in the current financially tough environment.
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats
-
Help out or donate
-
Tell us what you think