FIX 1: LIB DEMS PROPOSE GREEN MEASURES IN BUDGET DEBATE AT COUNTY HALL

11.25.06am GMT Thu 26th Feb 2009

Liberal Democrats have today proposed a package of green measures as amendments to the Conservative budget debated today at county hall.

Measures include a 35% increase in subsidies for buses, a 25% increase in spending on repairing footpaths and a significant roll out of 20 mph zones.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Chris White said: 'People have been very clear with us on the doorstep: they want more accessible transport, pavements which aren't turning to gravel and safer residential streets.

'Other parts of the country manage 20 mph speed limits with ease. Our proposal to spend a million pounds on this project would mean that most towns in Hertfordshire would see 20 mph limits in residential streets within the year. Sadly the Tories refused to back this.'

Malcolm Cowan added: 'I am shocked that we only spend £4 million on repairing footways. The fact that so little is spent and our proposal to increase was turned down show that the Tories have no interest in pedestrians.'

ENDS

The Liberal Democrat proposals would be funded by reductions in over-staffing at county hall.