Anger as Tories try to take credit for Brentwood Station improvements

Lib Dem Cllr Karen Chilvers has welcomed the news that Brentwood Rail station improvements are due to start in the next ten days and reacted angrily to a Tory campaign that is attempting to take the credit for the work of the Brentwood Bus & Rail Users Association just days before the long-campaigned for improvement works are due to start.

Cllr Chilvers said:

"The Brentwood Bus & Rail Users Association, a non-political group chaired by local resident Wendy Way, have campaigned for years to get the station improved. This is demonstrated by the fact that they got the news from National Express East Anglia at their Annual General Meeting in October when they confirmed to them - not the council or the Tory administration - that the long awaited improvements at Brentwood Station are due to start this month with new lifts being installed during the next two years.

"I am appalled that after playing no part in the association in the six years it has been in operation, not one of their number joining as a member for the princely sum of £3 and giving them barely any support that the Tories have NOW chosen to launch a petition and start campaigning for improvements when the project is just about to start.

National Express confirmed that:

• £1.5 million will be spent on the project
• it should take four months to complete
• it will include a new ticket office, toilets and waiting rooms and hopefully a new canopy.
• three disabled access lifts will follow in 2012-2013.

Karen added:

"It is clear that the Tories plan to take the credit for it as part of their local election campaign and disregard the BBARUA and I hope that residents are not hoodwinked by this blatant thunder-stealing operation and give their thanks and appreciation to Wendy Way, the committee and the members of BBARAU."