St James's Mary Lewis - Your Community Councillor

8.48.57am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Jun 2004

Councillor Mary Lewis Fights Hard on Behalf of St James's Ward

Councillor Mary Lewis and Councillor David Neve are pleased that their representations to Kent County Council have resulted in King George V, Auckland Road and Rochdale Road being re-surfaced in the summer. Councillor Lewis comments "despite being in opposition, hard work by committed Councillors pays off in the end".

Councillor Lewis is appalled that the recent report recommending the resurrection of the Public Liaison Transport Committee has been turned down by the Conservatives. Councillor Lewis says "the public and transport operator want a forum to help improve services yet the Conservatives, despite saying they want people involved in how services are delivered refuse to re-adopt the committee".

Albion Road pavements - albeit only the even side - will have the worst defects repaved in brick instead of tarmac. This is directly down to a working relationship with the local representatives, Councillors Lewis and Neve. The capital programme - money that the Council puts into highway improvements - has been cancelled under the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats had allocated £180,000. Councillor Lewis protests "Put the money back into residential areas such as St. James', not just the Town Centre".

Although leisure facilities have improved in recent years at Hilbert and Grosvenor Recreation grounds, Councillors Neve and Lewis are deeply concerned at the growing levels of vandalism, and have asked Conservative leaders to increase the level of security in the local parks. So far denied by those at present in control, Councillor Lewis comments "I will pursue this as safety of those wishing to use the parks is of paramount importance."