Two of Caterham on the Hill's leading Liberal Democrat Councillors have hit out at Surrey County Council's dreadful record at looking after local roads and dealing with winter weather.

County Councillor John Orrick says: "I am increasingly frustrated and angry with Surrey Highways' inability to carry out even the most basic and routine road repairs to an acceptable standard.  I accept that not all potholes and defects can be dealt with instantly, but the present County Council administration seems to have given up almost completely."

"A year ago, I pointed out that Conservative controlled Surrey had underspent £59 million from its budget.  The cheap and shoddy work being carried out on road repairs and resurfacing is a waste of money as it often needs to be done again.  We're only too familiar with the top-dressing method which has failed three times in Banstead Road.  The Liberal Democrat Group on the County Council will continue to demand far higher standards and much faster progress, with complete renewals where needed."

Where's the grit?

Councillor Chris Botten, who leads the Liberal Democrat Group on Tandridge District Council and chairs Caterham Hill Parish Council, is furious with the County's failure to carry out enough gritting during the December and January snow and to keep local grit bins full.

Chris Botten says: "During the recent snow, gritting trucks were not able to reach every road in the country.  However, Surrey Highways did a lot less than other nearby authorities.  They also failed to fill local grit bins before the winter season, despite numerous and detailed reminders from the Parish Council and from Cllr Orrick.  Now, to add insult to injury, they are asking Parish Councils if they can fill the grit bins instead at their expense "in light of the Surrey Highways limited resources for this work"."   

"John Orrick and I are asking the Conservative administration at Surrey a series of questions, including:

- why did Surrey do so much less than our neighbours?

- why were grit bins not filled in time, and how soon will this now be done?

- why does Surrey Highways think it can opt out of its responsibility for this basic work?

We are not going to let this drop.  We deserve better for our Surrey Council Tax."