SOMERSET'S ROADS GOING DOWNHILL

Somerset's roads are getting worse - it's official.

Highways officials at Somerset County Council have stated in official reports that the roads in Somerset are deteriorating fast.

Only months after the Lib Dems at County Hall slashed the highways maintenance budgets, their own officers have had to admit that the number of safety defects has increased significantly, and that there has also been a deterioration in the condition of both major and minor roads across the county.

Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Conservative Group spokesman on Highways, commented, "It gives me no pleasure to say that I am not surprised to hear this news. I warned the Lib Dems that any cuts to these essential budgets would lead to a worsening in road condition and misery for road users, and this is exactly what has happened.''

Ken Maddock, Leader of Somerset County Council's Conservative Group, concluded, "Yet again, another Lib Dem cut hits a vital service and has a real impact on the lives of the people of Somerset. The Lib Dems have constantly denied that Somerset’s roads are getting worse, even though everyone else in Somerset knows how bad they have become. But now that their officers have painted such a bleak, honest picture of their condition, I hope that the Lib Dems will finally sit up and take action. Conservatives will rescue our roads and make Somerset a better place to live.''

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