ROAD NEGLECT IN SOMERSET - Letter (21/06/05)

When I stood for Somerset County Council last month I promised the electors I would give priority to road improvements. I was elected as the Conservative member for Mendip West but the Liberal Democrats have control of the Council.

I quickly made enquiries about the possibility of road improvements in my division. There are many that are urgently required and local residents are tired of being told that there have been no serious accidents reported and therefore, in Council jargon for 'no', the request cannot be prioritised. The reply I received was equally depressing : very sorry, but there is a serious shortage of money and a long waiting list for road improvements.

I was appalled to learn soon afterwards that the Liberal Democrats propose to increase the number of members of the governing Executive from six to nine. The cost ? Around a cool 200,000 pounds over the coming four years. This no doubt is welcomed by the council politicians who will receive the money, but how can it possibly be justified ? Think of the road improvements that could be financed by that sum of money. Such a policy almost certainly signals an intention to continue to be extravagant with our money. I fear it may mean that the average annual increases of nearly eleven per cent in council tax imposed by Somerset over the last eight years will be maintained if not exceeded.

Yours faithfully

Cllr Ron Forrest

County Councillor, Mendip West

District Councillor, St Cuthbert Out North and West