Village demands road repairs

ASHWELL Parish Council is demanding action on worn out roads and footpaths in the village.

The annual Ashwell parish meeting will be taking place on Wednesday - and the condition of roads and footpaths will be a key issue for discussion.

Parish council chairman Cllr Mark White said, "We want to find out when our roads will be resurfaced.

"For over a year we have tried to get action from Hertfordshire Highways with no success.

"We have written many times to Herts Highways, to the Herts County Council at every level, and to our county councillor without achieving any progress.

"We are constantly told by our residents that the village is being badly let down by the atrocious state of its roads.

"We want to make our annual meeting an opportunity for them to have their voices heard," he said.

County councillor for Ashwell, Cllr Tony Hunter will be attending the meet-ing, while head of Hertford-shire Highways, Mark Smith, has also been invited.

Cllr White continued: "We have highlighted our worst roads, which are rapidly deteriorating, and have been told that, not only are they not included in next year's programme, but they are not even mentioned in the five year forward plan.

"This is just not good enough," he said.

A county council spokes-man said: "We are aware of problems to do with the condition of roads in Ashwell.

"We have walked the routes with local representatives and discussed the issues with them, in particular Lucas Lane, Bear Lane and High Street.

"Nothing is planned at the moment, but it has been put forward to be considered for inclusion on the 2008-09 integrated works programme.

"If it is included on the list for the year, it will then be prioritised, alongside other locations in the county that are also in need of attention," he said.

n The parish meeting will be taking place on Wednesday, March 19 in Ashwell School hall at 8pm.

n For more details call parish clerk Jane Porter on 01462 743706.