Council leader said he’s “delighted” that March estate roads to be adopted by county but others say credit should be shared

The late Cllr John West (Image: Archant)

It means, says Councillor Steve Count that “any issues residents have with the roads or street lighting can be reported to and taken on by the county council directly”.

Cllr Count said: “I was astounded to discover when I stood in a by election in 2011 that properties on the Dagless Way estate, which had been inhabited for over 25 years, were on an estate where the roads had not been adopted.”

He said it was “not unheard of” on small developments where the builder had gone bust but in this case the county council held a bond and the developer was still trading.

“Despite pushing for adoption the streets were still unadopted before campaigning in 2013, which is why I committed myself as a pledge in my campaign literature.

Cllr Jan French. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

“I have pushed hard for that ever since and I am now delighted to report that adoption has been completed.”

Two fellow councillors, independent Peter Tunley and Conservative Jan French, said they were glad the work had finished but others had worked to resolve it.

Cllr Tunley said “This is long overdue and should have happened years ago.

“Cllr Count is taking the credit for this, and whilst it is has happened on his watch, it was an issue being dealt with by Councillor John West when he represented the March North Ward as the county councillor before his untimely death.

Peter Tunley (Image: Archant)

“I keep telling myself I should not get wound up about these issues but when your council representative takes credit for things that he or she has been elected to do anyway it becomes a little rich.”

Cllr French said: “Peter Tunley and the late John West worked tirelessly to get this completed. Shame Steve did not give them some credit. Steve only got the county seat due to John’s death- he was a champion for March North.”