Cheltenham MP reveals cost of resurfacing The Strand
Max Wilkinson is calling for answers on the six figure cost
Cheltenham’s MP is calling for answers after it was revealed the controversial resurfacing works at The Strand cost taxpayers almost £350,000.
Max Wilkinson has revealed the figure publicly for the first time after questioning the new Shire Hall’s new Liberal Democrat leadership about what went wrong.
The standard of work signed off by the previous Conservative administration has sparked outcry among Cheltenham residents, according to the Lib Dem MP.
But the Tories have hit back claiming much of the cost was driven by the lack of co-operation from Lib Dems in the spa town – the same party who they claim “wasted £450,000 on the failed Boots Corner project.”
And they said there was another scheme that met Cheltenham Borough Council’s requirement which would have cost the taxpayer £1.6m.
County Council chiefs visited Cheltenham for a site meeting at Mr Wilkinson’s invitation.
They have pledged to work on a town centre plan, ending years of a piecemeal approach.
Mr Wilkinson said: “It’s a scandal that the previous Conservative County Council administration spent so much money doing such a poor job.
“Everyone can see what a mess they’ve made – frankly, it shows a lack of respect for Cheltenham people and a lack of care for the town.
“They’ve recently lost the election and now they really must be held to account for what went wrong – that’s why I’m revealing the cost of the works.
“It will take a long time to undo that failure, because after years of cuts to council budgets by Westminster Tory governments, local areas don’t have money to waste.
“That £350,000 simply cannot be spent twice. However, there is new hope.
“The new County Council leadership has responded positively to my request to investigate what happened, answered key questions and pledged to work on a plan for our town centre – and other centres in the county too.
“I welcome that fresh approach after so many years of Cheltenham being an afterthought for the Shire Hall Conservatives.”
The MP has also opened discussions with the aim of securing the future of the flagstones on The Promenade.
Since his election last year, Mr Wilkinson has also called for an end to ‘tarmac cowpatting’ repairs in the town centre.
Former Conservative County Council leader Stephen Davies (C, Hardwicke and Severn) said much of the cost was driven up by lack of co-operation from the Lib Dems in the spa town.
He claims they wasted £450,000 on the failed Boots Corner project.
“Sadly this is another example of the Liberal Democrats not letting the truth get in the way of a cheap headline,” he said.
“Much of the cost is driven by the lack of co-operation from Liberal Democrat led Cheltenham Borough Council.
“It should be remembered that is the same Liberal Democrats who wasted £450,000 on the failed Boots Corner project.”