Conservatives force Liberal Democrats to act (12.06.07)

As a result of intense efforts by David Heathcoat-Amory MP and Cllr. Ken Maddock, Leader of the Conservatives at Somerset County Council, Network Rail has agreed to bring forward the date for commencing the necessary repair work to Walrow Bridge from 2010 or 2011 to March 2008.

The Conservative Group raised the matter formally at the recent Council Meeting in May and forced the LibDem Council to act, as traders in the area were becoming increasingly concerned for the viability of their businesses.

Ken Maddock said: 'We not only wanted Network Rail to bring forward their strengthening works but also we wanted Somerset County Council to remove the ridiculous closure order on the Bridge. It just shows the LibDems do not understand or realise the importance of the small business. We did not accept the view that all traffic had to be banned until the works were undertaken.'

Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Transport at SCC, told us: 'I am glad to hear that some level of common sense has now been accepted by the Council in order to allow the bridge to be re-opened to 3 tonne traffic and look forward to seeing suitable measures in place as soon as possible.'