ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL FAILING PUBLIC OVER PAVEMENT REPAIRS

9.44.14pm GMT Wed 23rd Dec 2009

Conservative-controlled Essex County Council has seen little progress in return for the £36 million invested in pavement repairs with injuries and compensation claims rising over a five-year period.

The information was released following a Freedom of Information survey by the Liberal Democrats.

Compensation claims have risen from 173 to 323 per year between 2004/05 and 2008/09 suggesting that expenditure on footpath maintenance is having little on-the-ground effect.

Peter Wilcock, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Saffron Walden, said: "Questions have to be asked to why considerable amounts of public money are being spent and yet this problem still persists. The safety of the general public has to be paramount and the current administration must account for why a significant number of accidents are still occurring."

To date £1.5 million has been paid out in compensation over the five-year period with 265 claims still active.

Mr Wilcock added: "The Liberal Democrats are committed to addressing issues that benefit smaller walking and cycling schemes and allocating local government funds to achieve this."