Worthing Lib Dems urge them not to waste second chance

Worthing was forgotten when the West Sussex Tory administration applied for funding from the £560 million Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced by the Coalition government in January.  Under the title West Sussex Sustainable Travel Towns the county council bid for £5 million for improvements to Crawley, Chichester and Horsham – no mention of Worthing.

The bid failed to make the first tranche but West Sussex has been given the opportunity to make an improved bid in the second tranche. Worthing Liberal Democrats are urging Worthing Borough Council to work with West Sussex to make certain Worthing is included this time and gets its fair share.      

The West Sussex bid was to ‘increase sustainable travel to places of work and education through a targeted package of behaviour change initiatives and infrastructure improvements’ with the primary objectives of improving local economic performance and cutting carbon generation. All seem excellent ideas for Worthing so why was Worthing forgotten? 

Lib Dem West Sussex County Councillor Bob Smytherman asked that very question at a County Council meeting earlier this year and we suspect Bob’s question prompted West Sussex to consider including Worthing in their second chance.  But are they working with Worthing Borough Council and are the views of the people of Worthing being taken on board?  Those questions remain answered.

Bob Smytherman, Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Well-Being

Bob Smytherman, Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Well-Being said: 

“Worthing Liberal Democrats are always looking out for opportunities for funding to improve the well-being of our town. Worthing Tories do not appear to be as sharp-eyed and pull up their West Sussex colleagues when Worthing is forgotten.  Residents can rest assured the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for Worthing.” 

Victoria Taylor, Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Victoria Taylor, Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration, added:

“Since being newly elected in May I have been increasingly astonished by the inertia exhibited by Worthing’s Tory administration.  No wonder we are still waiting for Teville Gate, the new pool and any real sign of regeneration.”