Liz to confront County Council for Whiteley

10.53.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th Sep 2008

Prospective MP Liz Leffman and Councillor Vivian Achwal in Whiteley

Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley Liz Leffman will lead a deputation to the offices of Tory-run Hampshire County Council on Thursday on behalf of Whiteley residents calling for the opening of two key roads in the area to ease traffic congestion.

Liz will hand over a petition signed by more than 400 residents which strongly supports the Lib Dems' long-running campaign to open both Yew Tree Drive and Rookery Avenue to general traffic.

Liz said: "Hampshire County Council has spent £800,000 on a bus gate on Yew Tree Drive which is used by a maximum of 13 buses per day and by none on a Sunday - yet people in Whiteley have only one road in and out."

"The petition asks the County Council to remove the bus gate and open up both Rookery Avenue and Yew Tree Drive to all vehicles."

Liz added: "Whiteley was always set to have four main roads into the town in the first place, yet the County Council has dragged its heels and never given Whiteley the attention it needs and deserves.

"Now the people have spoken and I am acting on their behalf to make sure every single voice is heard loud and clear."