The Medway Conservative group have released a false statement claiming that Medway Labour will close the Medway Tunnel.
Cllr Andy Stamp, Medway Labour Spokesperson for Regeneration and Communities said, “This is fake news. A Labour-run Medway Council would keep the Medway Tunnel open and effectively lobby central Government to pay for the costly tunnel maintenance and repairs.
“This is irresponsible scaremongering from Medway’s Conservatives. And it’s a desperate tactic from them in the run-up to the crucial Medway Council Elections on 2nd May.
“However, we’d like to thank Medway’s Conservatives for highlighting our excellent manifesto, which spells out a positive vision for Medway. If you haven’t seen it yet it can be found at https://www.medwaylabour.org.uk/rebuilding-medway/.
“Medway Labour will deal with the mess left after the shockingly poor deal negotiated by the Conservative-run Medway Council, leaving tax payers with a huge burden having bought the Medway Tunnel from the Rochester Bridge Trust.
“It is worthy of note who the two Conservative Cabinet members are with responsibility for Finance and Highways and then looking at which are members of the Rochester Bridge Trust today.
“A Medway Labour Council will take back control of highways maintenance – which the Conservatives privatised – and we’ll ensure road users are put before private profits.”
Cllr Vince Maple, Medway Labour Group Leader added, “The reality is Councillor Jarrett is once again telling lies, a word I don’t use lightly.
“At the recent full council meeting he stated that bids for Gillingham & Chatham for the future high streets fund would go in together, that is not happening.
“He stated that he was made aware of his racist, islamophobic councillor in February 2019 when the truth is he was made aware in February 2016 and now he is telling lies about our manifesto.
“The reality is we haven’t even seen a Conservative Manifesto for 2019 as they have run out of ideas and I wonder where in their 2015 manifesto did it say they were going to shut Sure Starts, introduce bulky waste charges and increase parking charges by 133%.
“On May 2nd there is a stark choice, a Medway Labour Council which is open, transparent and honest and wants to work with residents to make Medway an even better place or a Conservative administration who are comfortable with letting the failed MCG run everything except social services.”
The current list of Rochester Bridge Trust Wardens and Assistants can be found here:
http://www.rbt.org.uk/about-us/wardens-and-assistants/