Few people in Hertfordshire would disagree with just how bad some of our roads and footways are.

At last it seems the Conservatives who run Hertfordshire County Council have finally woke up to the fact they have neglected most of our side roads for dozens for years - often pouring money instated into pet projects elsewhere.

This year the Conservatives have agreed to spend an extra £5 million on side roads this year rising to £7 million next year. Yes, this is good news but it’s something the Liberal Democrat opposition on the county council have proposed in successive budgets for many years only to be voted down.

At least our efforts have paid off now!

Mind you the ruling Conservatives rejected the Liberal Democrats fully costed proposals for another £3.2 million this year that would have gone someway in helping sort out some atrocious pavements as well!

And it now seems that central government have woken up the fact that poor roads affect our economic growth and in the recent budget agreed to an extra £420m “pot hole fund” for local councils. Herts is to get almost £8m of this.

Liberal Democrat county councillors will be pressing the Conservatives to make sure its spent well. Mind you this “extra” £420 million investment in tackling Britain’s pothole crisis is merely ‘a drop in the ocean’ – according to road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart.

I agree and let’s not forget in a car or van we can deal with most potholes often for a cyclist or motor biker it could be very serious and even fatal.

It’s time to get real. The lack of investment in our infrastructure such as roads and footways costs us dear!

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst

County councillor for Central Watford and Oxhey