BUNTINGFORD S pavements are set to get long overdue repairs after a bid for £8,000 of funding was approved by Herts County Council. A report submitted to the meeting of East Herts Highways Joint Member panel on Monday night confirmed that the funding, whi

BUNTINGFORD'S pavements are set to get long overdue repairs after a bid for £8,000 of funding was approved by Herts County Council.

A report submitted to the meeting of East Herts Highways Joint Member panel on Monday night confirmed that the funding, which will come from a Section 106 agreement, has been approved so that footway maintenance work can be carried out in Buntingford High Street.

Cllr Pat Whittaker, who organised a petition requesting the repairs, said: "This is very good news.

"The High Street has barely been touched for the last 18 years.

"I'm not sure how far this money will go, but it's nice to have a response - you sometimes get the impression that these panels are just talking shops and that when you lobby for things nothing is done."

In August this year Cllr Whittaker led a joint walkabout meeting with Hertfordshire Highways officers, district and county councillors, and Cllr John Noades, Mayor of Buntingford.

Here he identified several areas of footway which were cracked, possibly as a result of lorries and other delivery vehicles mounting the pavement.

Cllr Whittaker said: "We are hopeful of getting additional funding to repaint the lighting columns and make repairs to the other street furniture."

Section 106 money comes from developers working in the local area.

When planning permission is granted it can be stipulated that the developer must contribute a sum of money to be put towards local projects.

On this occasion the cash has come from Bells Barn, which is currently building 13 homes on a site in Baldock Road.

A spokesman for Herts County Council said: ""We are very pleased that we can now make these improvements, thanks to the provision of this funding from the Section 106 agreement - this work will greatly enhance the overall look of the High Street."

Anyone wishing to report a problem with pavements in the town should call 01438 737320, or visit www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults.