Labo our’s pledge to scrap car park an ‘empty gesture’

Labour has plledged to scrap the conttroversial multi-storey carr park project if it gains controlc of the city council in May’s elections. Cllr Simon Warley, a representative for the Westgate ward, beelieves the divisive schheme could still be stoppped in its tracks - ddespite the fact enngineers wouldd be three montths into its consstruction. Ccouncil leader Simon Cook (Con) has branded the pledge an “empty gesture” and likened it to offering “the moon on a stick”.

He says it will be tough for the authority to pull out of the £9.1 million project, with likely penalties for breaching contracts.

Cllr Warley said: “If Labour gain control of the city council we will stop the car park if it’s not too late to do so - too much work may have been done by then and/or penalty clauses under the contract for its construction may be operational.

“The key words are ‘if we can stop it’. We’re not aware of the arrangements of the contract but virutally everyone in Canterbury doesn’t want this to happen.

“I have received more than 100 emails in opposition and only one in favour. It really is unacceptable for the ruling Conservatives to continue to ignore the views of Westgate and Canterbury residents.”

He says the millions of pounds borrowed for the car park project should be diverted to tackling the shortfall in social housing in the district.

Cllr Cook, however, believes

Labour’s gesture has been poorly thought through.

“I think Labour would find it difficult to stop the car park’s construction,” he said.

“They’re offering the moon on a stick without anything to back it up. People expect their politicians to be reasonable and pragmatic - not wave promises which are more heat than light.

“This is a cheap gesture which is beneath Simon [Cllr Warley]. I thought he was better than that. I find it quite sad that Labour are waving around the idea without completely thinking it through. I’m disappointed.

“I’m not fond of empty gestures which lack substance; instead, I like to deliver what has been promised. I do appreciate there are people who are against it - I’m not insensitive to that - but as a council we have to do what we think is right.”

A petition which gained more than 660 signatures is set to be discussed at today’s (Thursday) full council meeting.

According to the council agenda, the petition will be heard at the Lord Mayor’s discretion on the “very unusual basis that, during the ti ime that would be taken to refe er the petition to a committee, anda then potentially back to full council,c the council may become contractually committed to the e project”.

As it stands s, the Tory-led city council has notn signed off on the contr ract - so it could theo oretically pull the plug on the project before construction work begins.

Labour Cllr Simon Warley