Torbay Labour Party For the many not the few
Labour campaigner injured in by-election
The Labour Party’s candidate in the Clifton with Maidenway by-election, Andy Symons, has hit out at the state of the roads within the ward after one of his leafleting team was badly injured after falling while crossing the road when a section of tarmac collapsed under her.
Torbay Council has a statutory duty to maintain the local highway in Torbay. They have a duty to inspect and repair the public highway (this includes roads, paths and grass verges). When the condition falls below the required standard they have a duty to repair them.
My Symons said, “We all knew that the roads were being neglected by the current Lib Dem administration, but this really hammered home how bad things are. Thankfully our Party member involved is now recovering safely at home, but she has a fractured wrist and had to attend A&E after a blood clot developed in her leg.”
He is encouraging local residents to report these issues to the Council. They should then inspect the complaint within three days and make repairs to ensure the area is safe.
Whilst Torbay will not be electing a full council this year, voters in Clifton with Maidenway will be voting in a local by-election on 6th May, and what looked like being a low key affair has burst into life as a result of high profile issues being raised by the Labour candidate.
Mr Symons is standing to give local people a voice in an area that has been dominated by Conservative and Liberal Democrat administrations. He continued, “For the roads to be allowed to get into such a state that they are crumbling when stepped on is a damning indictment of the lack of care given to our basic infrastructure by the current Lib Dem councillors. Blood clots can be fatal, so I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to suggest that this incident could have been far, far, worse.”
In recent weeks Mr Symons has accused the Lib Dem / Independent Coalition of preferring to spend money on vanity projects instead of the issues which really affect people’s lives. He has called for public toilets to be free of charge and more access. He has also hit out at the Council for spending savings on Children’s Services on seafront lighting and propping up Council reserves instead of further investment in reducing child poverty.
Mr Symons is encouraging local residents to report highways issues by calling the Council’s emergency numbers 01803 207720 or 02803 701310.