Sensible approach to regeneration is needed

Posted By: Peter Evans
Date Posted: 05/05/2009

It is easy to understand the intentions of those who press our council to give up income or commit taxpayers money to expensive schemes. It sounds impressive, but it is exactly the attitude that has put the UK into so much debt - a massive debt that is now generally agreed will take at least 32 years to pay off.

The criticism that came from the Rochdale Parliamentary Labour candidate, for instance, was that Rochdale council should increase the free parking from 3pm on week days (from the end of May) so as to include Saturdays. Whilst agreeing that would be wonderful, we have to recognise that the cost of the free parking already announced will be around £100,000. To add the whole of Saturday too would cost considerably more of course - and that is currently unaffordable.

Naturally, a party in opposition will always argue that more should be spent: for one thing it would get the controlling party into financial difficulties and ruin its budget. Be assured the Lib Dems are not about to do that! We are on track to deliver another low council tax next year. The new free parking periods are primarily geared to helping local people. They aim to make it possible for mothers with schoolchildren to share in the benefits.

It is plain to see that Rochdale has sufferered decades of under-investment. Turning this situation around and giving Rochdale Borough the vibrant and attractive shopping centres it deserves is not going to be achieved overnight - especially in the current economic climate. Like Gordon Brown, the politicians who got us all into this mess have not said "sorry" - they prefer to attack the party charged with correcting their mistakes.