A proposal from Liberal Democrats on East Cambs District Council to set up a fund to support road safety schemes in the district has been rejected by the ruling Conservatives on the council.

The proposal would have enabled £40,000 a year to ve been spent on projects such as safe crossings, but was turned down by the Conservatives who have a majority on the council’s Corporate Governance & Finance Committee.

Cllr Gareth Wilson (Lib Dem, Haddenham), who proposed the funding at a meeting of the council’s Corporate Governance & Finance Committee on Thursday 29 January, said: “In our market towns and villages there are lots of opportunities for a small amount of money to make a large difference to safety on our roads.  It’s very disappointing that the Conservatives didn’t support this small but potentially life-saving investment.”

Ely North campaigner Alison Whelan, who has been backing residents’ calls for a safe crossing on Lynn Road in Ely, and highlighting traffic problems on King’s Avenue, said: “Local residents are keen to see much-needed safety measures on our roads.  A small amount of money from the district council would have been very helpful for schemes in this and other places across the district.  It’s regrettable that the Conservatives – who are throwing millions of pounds at their new leisure centre on the A10 – failed to back this move.”

   Leave a comment