Koowaree demands better Road and Footways repairs

12.00.43pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 18th Feb 2005

Ashford Liberal Democrats County Councillor George Koowaree

Cllr George Koowaree, Member for Ashford South East, seconded an amendment by the Liberal Democrat Group to the Kent County Council Leader's motion that would have increased the Budget for Footway Repairs by £600K.

George said: "In my division in Ashford there are footways, which have not been replaced since they were built over 40 years ago. They are in very bad state with some places dangerous to elderly and disabled people. I am sure this is not just in Ashford. I believe the priority should be roads and footpaths because in every poll when we ask what Kent people want more money spent on, road repairs come out top every time."

The Tory and Labour Groups defeated the amendment. They preferred the money to go into Libraries.

George stated: "I do maintain much more money has to be invested in our roads and footpaths to catch up with the £150 million repairs backlog which mean daily misery and danger for many of Kent's residents."