FOLLOWING on from the recent failure of the Tory Administration to secure planning permission for the botched Stanford Rail Project, Thurrock Labour have reacted to the staggering news that £11m has already been spent on the failing project.
The figure of £11m calls into question the already dubious Tory claims that the project will come in within £20m.
Cllr Martin Kerin, Labour’s Shadow Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said:
“When I questioned the Conservative Portfolio Holder at Full Council, he assured me that the project would come in within the £20m budget envelope. Yet, here we are, with £11m already spent and absolutely nothing to show for it!
“What’s more, £4m has been spent on the Daybreak Windows Site with no firm indication that it will actually even be used as part of this chaotic project. The fact that they are talking to developers about housing on this site raises, yet again, further questions about openness and transparency.
“No wonder the planning committee recently rejected the flawed plans!
“Whether it’s the bungled A13 widening, the millions for new council offices or Stanford Station it’s clear that Thurrock’s Tories haven’t really got a clue about to how manage infrastructure projects or bring them in on time and on budget. As the 21% tax rise since 2016 shows, it is Thurrock’s residents paying the price. Again, and again.”
