Success on the Street Scene ! (Southampton Liberal Democrats)

Southampton Liberal Democrats <info@southampton-libdems.org.uk>

Success on the Street Scene !

March 5, 2006 1:00 PM

When Liberal Democrats gained power three years ago, one of our first priorities was to improve the city's streets and environment, because we know how important that is to residents. We think we've made a good start - but you don't have to take our word for it - just listen to the independent Audit Commission -"Significant success has been achieved on the council's priority to improve the street scene and environment. Waste management services, which are a priority for residents, have achieved continuous improvement over three years and customer satisfaction is high."

After 19 years of Labour rule, the verdict on the city's roads was 'poor'. After just three years with the Liberal Democrats, we've put in an extra £18.5m. We can't work miracles overnight but we've made a good start. The Commission say, "We are confident that the (highways) service now has the capacity to improve . . . the recovery plan is challenging . . . but there is a clear commitment to deliver it."

OUR STREETS

Four major schemes so far - Howards and Archers Road, Romsey Road, Portswood Broadway and Aldermoor Road.
City Centre improvements - repaving in the Precinct with the new benches due in May, Bargate pedestrianisation with enhancements including lighting to be completed in April
Real time bus information - over 150 signs installed so far with 'go live' on the new ones in May
Two car parks provided and four more in progress, with conversion of green verges to improve the appearance where damaged by use
New cleaning equipment now in use with safe high visibility vehicles to clean major routes (under Labour we had to close them to clean them!)
Special team to clear up graffiti, flyposting, gum and spill cleanups, 'deep clean' arrangements with residents so we can clean streets heavily parked up with cars
Youth Offending teams help with regular cleanups
Bus shelters now regularly cleaned and many replaced - ten so far using solar energy for lighting
Street nameplate replacements now available (under Labour they stayed missing or broken! - don't forget to tell us if you know one that needs replacing - ring Actionline 0800 5 19 19 19)

WASTE DISPOSAL

New free green waste collection service now available across the city
Fewer bins missed than ever before
Recycling collected from your doorstep
City wide recycling rates up from 9% to 26% with the Liberal Democrats
Customer satisfaction higher than ever.

Cllr Jill Baston - hard at work for Southampton's environment

Cllr Jill Baston, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, comments, "I'm really pleased at the progress we have been able to make since we have been running the council. Of course, there's lots more to be done, and we are keen to get on with the job. We need to improve recycling rates still more, and the only way to make a real difference is to move towards alternate week collection of household waste (NOT fortnightly collection). Labour and Conservatives voted to stop the successful system in the city and their politically motivated vote now costs taxpayers £750,000 every year. They ignored the residents, who gave it a 90% approval rating. Many other councils, both Labour and Conservative, are now using the system. "

The council's Environment section, covering waste, planning, streets and cleansing, has excelled, jumping from one star rating under Labour to three stars out of four with the Liberal Democrats.