Major Investment for Roads and Pavements
Lib Dem controlled Newcastle City Council is to invest an extra £7m over the next three years in roads and footpaths.
The work will be carried out in residential areas across the city to improve the quality of paths and roads to prevent accidents, slips, trips and falls.
An extra £3m will be spent in 2011/12 with a further £2m in 2012/13 and another £2m in 2013/14.
The investment is part of the council's programme of planned capital spending which is helping to regenerate the city and support the growth of its economy. It is also a response to the council's budget consultation which highlighted the concerns of residents who want to see good quality roads and paths.
The proposal is part of the council's draft 2011/12 budget which will be discussed at a meeting of the full council today, Wednesday March 2nd, along with a proposal to freeze council tax.
Also included are proposals to spend an extra £1m per year to meet the rising costs of Looked After Children and an extra £600,000 per year on costs associated with the care of vulnerable adults.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Lib Dem Councillor David Faulkner, said: "Time and time again residents tell us that good quality roads and pavements are a high priority for them. This extra investment will be targeted on the very streets and roads where residents live.
"It will also reduce the likelihood of trips and falls which can leave the council facing claims for compensation.
"Protecting the vulnerable is also a major commitment so I am pleased that we are putting in extra support to meet the costs of caring for Looked After Children and vulnerable adults.
"The council is in a very difficult financial position but our intention has always been to protect frontline services whilst saving money by making the council more efficient. It's a budget based on tough decisions, but one which also strikes a balance between meeting our required savings and protecting vital services.
"I am pleased that by freezing council tax we will not be adding to the inflationary pressures residents are experiencing at the moment."