DRIVERS across Devon are ‘doomed to more potholes and damaged roads’ declared Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Connett as he said Devon County Council is planning on making cuts.

Councillors will hear tomorrow (Thursday) that £2.5m is being ‘chopped’ from highways maintenance and safety defect work, added the Leader of the Lib Dem opposition at County Hall.

‘In addition, a further £700,000 will be hacked from the budget for works to bridges and retaining walls as well as winter and emergency operations under the Conservative budget plans,’ he says.

The new cuts will be disclosed at tomorrow’s council meeting which scrutinises the budget plans, adds Cllr Connett. Also, a new £200 ’administration’ charge is planned for anyone asking for a new disabled parking space to be created.

‘As more people across Devon worry about their household bills rising and may turn for help to organisations like Citizens Advice Bureau, Devon County Council plans to cut grant support to CAB and for other community contracts by £462,000 say the Liberal Democrats. ‘There’s a further cut of £329,000 planned for other community grants too.

Cllr Connett, Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition at County Hall, said: ‘It’s clear that Devon is being short-changed again this year by the Government. 

‘People across the county will be paying the price in more potholes and roads likely to be left longer for repairs and essential maintenance, and cuts to the budget to deal with winter emergencies. We’ve been lucky this year with a reasonable winter so far, but that doesn’t mean we’ll never have a bad weather winter again. Devon is not getting a fair deal from Government.

‘And at a time when families really are struggling and worrying about the rise in fuel bills, National Insurance, and household bills generally it is more likely that the Citizens Advice Bureau will be asked for help.

‘The planned cuts may mean that people won’t get the help they need, or will wait longer. It could result in them turning for help to illegal money lenders, for example.’

A final decision on the Devon County Council budget, any cuts and the level of Council Tax will be made next month.

One area that Cllr Connett thinks may raise a few questions tomorrow is the reported increase in the number of staff employed – up 89 on last year!