"Crime and traffic satisfaction problems continue" - Brooks

11.22.13am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Apr 2008

Lib Dem Leader Jeff Brooks has hit out after the latest satisfaction survey results reveal that activities for teenagers and levels of congestion continue to be among the top issues West Berkshire residents want to see improved in the district.

Councillor Brooks commented:

"It's ironic that the top two issues residents want to see improved across the whole district are activities for teenagers (48%) and congestion (43%) when the Conservatives have just voted down proposals to pilot a free bus scheme for under-18s. This scheme would have helped solve both problems - getting kids around the district to better access facilities and getting cars off our roads in the meantime! The phrase 'shooting themselves in the foot' springs to mind."

"While it is good to see some improvement in satisfaction with culture and recreation services, I am saddened to read that a large number of people continue to live in fear of crime in West Berkshire. I have said before that the Conservatives have not improved this Council in the past three years and this is borne out by the survey results which say overall, the majority of residents think things have stayed the same. Indeed, the independent inspection of the Council revealed this too - there has been no improvement in this Council's score since 2005."