No EXTRA money for Old Moulsham - Tory election promises exposed

10.34.00am GMT Fri 22nd Feb 2008

Local Lib Dems examine one of the growing number of local potholes

It has been revealed this week that Old Moulsham will not be receiving any EXTRA money for local improvements - only the money long planned for the central Chelmsford area. During the Moulsham & Central by-election, Lord Hanningfield (Conservative County Council Leader) promised that Old Moulsham would be benefiting from an extra £15 million investment in footpath and road repairs in Chelmsford.

However, local Lib Dem Leader Cllr Mike Mackrory has questioned Lord Hanningfield about this money and has discovered that it was merely money that was already in the budget, not new money, as implied by the Conservatives during the election campaign.

Cllr. Mackrory said, "The fact that the Tories have to stoop to this level shows their desperation to win at all costs. It is shameful to make up these claims when the state of the roads and footpaths in Chelmsford is appalling and all the Conservatives are really offering is more cost-cutting measures as they can't get a grip on their budget".

The Liberal Democrats are continuing to argue that plans to leave potholes and footway trips longer before repairing them is hazardous to the public. Their proposals for extra spending on repairs and maintenance of footpaths and residential roads in the Essex County Council Budget were voted down by the controlling Conservative group.

Related Links:

Competition to find Chelmsford's worst pothole.

Tories Propose Slashing Potholes Maintenance.