TORIES BACK BIGGER POTHOLES POLICY

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Feb 2008

The Conservative cabinet at Essex County Council has today (19 February) approved a new highways maintenance policy that will see potholes twice as deep and preventative work including drainage, neglected. And if you get an injury by tripping on a footpath or road, you are less likely to be awarded compensation from the council.

Speaking about the new policy, Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrats group leader said: "The cabinet member responsible for highways has admitted that everyone knows of a road in a bad state of repair, but he is still insisting that his policy of allowing potholes to get enormous before being fixed, is the right thing.

"The council neglects preventative work, including drainage, at its peril and future cost. If drains are not kept clear, it can only mean that greater amounts of water will build up on our road surfaces causing dangerous driving and cycling conditions. Poor drainage is also the arch enemy of pavement integrity.

"The policy document admits that the highways maintenance budget was actually cut in the current year. This policy appears to be aimed more at saving money on repairs, and cutting the amount of compensation claims the council has to pay out, than in the safety of motorists, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians."