A TOTAL of £6million has been put aside to improve the condition of pavements across the county.
Worcestershire County Council has made the pledge as part of its 2017/18 budget after speaking to more than 55,000 residents in the last five years with many saying roads and pavements needed improvement.
Coun Simon Geraghty, the leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “Residents have told us that improving the condition of local pavements is a priority.
“We have listened and set a clear target to make our roads and pavements some of the best in Britain.
“This major new investment will help improve the condition of pavements where people live and those they use to walk to the local shops and schools which will hopefully encourage more people to adopt a more healthy and active lifestyle.”
The budget also proposed an increase of 2.94 per cent on thecounty council’s council tax precept this year but council bosses said this equated to an average of less than 10p per day and maintained the authority’s position as one of the ‘lowest taxing authorities in the country’.
Of that increase, two per cent would be ring-fenced for Adult Social Care services, tackling existing cost pressures and ensuring most vulnerable older people in the county receive the support they need.
The remaining 0.94 per cent would be put towards other areas residents had said were a priority for them.
As well as the £6million on pavements, there are also proposals to invest cash on improving the county’s roads and town centres and tackling congestion.
The budget will go before full council in February 2017 for final approval.
