The Conservative Member for Hatfield South, Stuart Pile, has reacted angrily today to a Liberal Democrat press release implying that the selection of roads to be included in the 2009/10 highways Surface Dressing programme is done on a party political basis.
Cllr Pile said,
“We do not select any of the work carried out on roads or footways across Hertfordshire by political party. This is an untrue and malicious suggestion by the Lib Dem leader at County Hall and he knows it. He should apologise to residents for making this completely unfounded accusation. All selections are carried out by highways officers using data from our asset management system without any political input whatsoever.
“For an experienced politician, Cllr White also shows a remarkable lack of understanding of what works we actually carry out, and how we select each road. The reason that no roads in the latest “surface dressing” programme are in the Watford district, and only one in St Albans is simply that surface dressing is only suitable for rural roads, so roads in urban areas like Watford would not form part of the dressing programme - we would use other treatments instead such as microasphalt or conventional resurfacing.
“There has been no exclusion of districts in the selection process. There has been no political input to the selection process. There was no “astonishment” when a full consultation of the site selections was carried out through the cross party Highways Joint Member Panels (HJMP) in both Watford and St Albans. There was no outcry then, so why now?
“This is pure electioneering of the very worst kind. It shows a singular lack of respect for residents. I am disappointed that the Lib Dems have yet again shown their contempt for the truth. I urge residents to look at the facts and not be swayed by misinformation.”
ENDS
Contact: Stuart Pile – Conservative Member for Hatfield South
Tel: 01707 260125
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CONSERVATIVE PRESS RELEASE
6 May 2009
HERTFORDSHIRE IN COURT TO CHALLENGE
EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN
The County Council’s challenge to some of the development proposals in the East of England Plan is due to be heard in the High Court on 18th May. The County Council is challenging the process whereby potential developments around Harlow in East Herts and Hatfield, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead were imposed by the Government.
Derrick Ashley, Conservative Member for Hitchin South, said “Our position in Hertfordshire has been clear all along – we are not opposed to development provided it is supported by essential infrastructure, is properly thought out and is in tune with Hertfordshire's needs. These proposals have been effectively parachuted in by the Government with no technical justification and little strategic thought. We are asking the court to set them aside to allow for a proper assessment of Hertfordshire's needs.”
END
Contact: County Councillor Derrick Ashley
Tel: 01462 450892
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