Lib Dems disappointed at Council intransigence and incompetence (Darlington and Sedgefield Liberal Democrats)

Darlington and Sedgefield Liberal Democrats <joe.kelley@darlingtonlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems disappointed at Council intransigence and incompetence

December 1, 2007 6:58 PM

Darlington's Labour Council has again proved its inadequacy at managing large construction projects. Following the over-run and overspend on the Pedestrian Heart, we now have an overspend of £1.9million (so far) on the Eastern Transport Corridor. Amazingly, Birse is the contractor on both projects. The Council has clearly failed to learn the lesson of the Pedestrian Heart: there is still no-one on the Council's staff able to project-manage these sorts of major works.

But not only does this poor management record reflect badly on the Labour leadership, they have also demonstrated their contempt for local people. During the construction of the Eastern Transport Corridor, the contractors were given permission to vary the terms of the original planning application - without referring the matter to the Planning Applications Committee.

The height of the road has been raised by seven feet, meaning that passing traffic will be able to see right into the bedrooms of nearby houses. Yet the Council are refusing to revert to the original planning application.

Mike Barker, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman said, "This Labour Council tell us they want to listen to what people have to say - yet here they are blatantly ignoring local peoples' perfectly reasonable request that the original plans be adhered to."

Fiona Hall, Lib Dem Euro MP said she was "disappointed" that the council had decided to let works continue. It is disappointing how lightly the council takes this matter, she said. By most people's judgement, building a road 7ft higher than suggested in the plans is a substantial difference. The council is still of the opinion that the changes are not significant enough to warrant further planning applications, but that still begs the question why they did not at least notify residents of the changes prior to starting construction. The council has now assured me that it will work with residents in order to agree mitigation measures such as screening. I will continue to monitor the situation and stay in touch with the local residents affected."