Date: 4th March 2010

Tories to Face Questions as Paddock Trees Razed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At tonight’s Full Council meeting, many local residents will demand answers from the Tories about their plans for the bus station and the destruction of the Paddock.
However, last week the Council began removing many of the trees in the area, leaving some of the protestors fuming that the work had started before they’ve had their questions answered.
Local ward councillor, Bill Esterson, who will also ask a question tonight, has raised concerns about the bus station plans since they were first published.
Cllr Esterson said,
“I knew when it was suggested two years ago that the Paddock was not an acceptable place for the bus station, as I appreciated how much residents in my ward- and others- valued it as a green space.  This was backed up by the results of the consultation, which the Tories have ignored.”
“This whole scheme has been one, very long blunder, in terms of the timescale, positioning, design, everything.  We desperately need a new bus station, but this is what happens when the Tories try to manage a scheme that’s so obviously beyond them.”
“At the last Planning committee meeting, I asked for a site visit, which was turned down.  I can’t imagine that this would happen in any other authority.  We’re now seeing the trees being felled- everything’s being rushed through with no discussion or debate, and certainly no agreement, which for plans of this size and importance is a just not good enough.”

ENDS

For further comment please contact Cllr Bill Esterson on Mobile: 07976 628730.  Alternatively contact the Group office on 01634 332393.