The recent "monsoon" period has higlighted, in my ward of Heatons North, and throughout the Borough, just how inadequately the Council maintaines roads and pavements.

I could name dozens of roads where water was virtually meeting in the centre. This is most dangerous for road-users, whether car drivers or cyclists, trying to avoid the lakes, and to a greater degree pedestrians who are constantly showered with dirty water as they negotiate the pavements.

Residents are asking "why?", "what can be done?". These questions are always prefaced by "I pay my Council Tax". I have to agree with them. It's not good enough.

As a ward Councillor my hands are tied. The amount of money passed to our Area Committee is a pittance. This year my ward, Heatons North, which stretches from the top of Broadstone Road to Priestnall Road and all around Heaton Moor Road, has an amount of approximately £21,000 to dela with re-surfacing work on roads and pavements, any traffic calming schemes, residents' parking schemes, and provision of additional lighting. we could easily spend £400,000 a year dealing with residents' justified complaints.

Stephen Holland, Stockport's Conservative Parliamentary Candidate commented: "this Lib Dem Council is 4 star by the "box-ticking" method only. Surely it would be better to make more funds available to wards for local use rather than some of the current wasteful spending the Council makes on things like the "Review" and removing the holes from salt shakers!"

The Liberal Democrat Council although working with a budget sliding into deficit obviously feels it's more important to go around the Borough dropping off salt shakers with fewer holes than putting more money into the 21 wards which make up Stockport MBC. I want fewer holes in my roads not in my salt shaker! Which would you as Council Tax payers prefer?

Cllr Jackie Jones
Heatons North

This article, by Cllr Jackie Jones, was first published by the Stockport Express on 12.08.09.