Liberal Democrats Demand Explanation About Road Repairs

11.47.46am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Jun 2006

Liberal Democrats call for urgent action on the state of our roads

Surrey County Council Liberal Democrats have called on the Tory-run County Council to reassure the public, following the disclosure of details highlighting the appalling service from one of Surrey's highways contractors, Carillion.

The details, which also included information on the shocking overcharging for roadworks during the last two years, were featured in a confidential document obtained by a Surrey newspaper.

Lib Dem transport spokesperson Cllr John Doran (Horsell) said the group welcomed the disclosure. "We are extremely glad now that this subject has come to light, though we feel it is a pity it couldn't have been made public as we had asked. As councillors, we only discovered the true nature of the situation in the last few days. It is typical of this Tory administration that they would rather keep these issues secret than tell Surrey's residents how they're spending their money!

"Carillion is one of two contractors for Surrey's highways and we are also calling on the Council Executive to reassure us and the public that this is an isolated situation. The dreadful state of the county's roads is a subject we have campaigned on for a very long time. We have proposed a motion at the next council meeting (13 June) calling for urgent action on the state of our roads."