Cuts 'a bluff' BRF chief
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-HE Government's forced eduction in local authority pending on transport next rear is a "calculated bluff" timed at the IMF, said Mr tobert Phillipson, Director of he British Road Federation, in )Iymouth this week.
In the rundown of road naintenance — already local tuthority plans are down 012 nillion for next year — at least 11,000 jobs will be lost, tccording to the Department the Environment.
But all those sacked will lave to be brought back in two or three years to deal with a backlog of essential repairs.
"The-Government is simply buying time with unemployment, just to impress the IMF", said Mr Phillipson.
"None of these measures will lead to a permanent switch of resrouces into economic growth or a redistribution of jobs. Road maintenance is labour intensive and, sooner or later, all those now facing the sack will have to be brought back."
Local authorities in England and Wales were desperately worried about the maintenance of their roads and the risk of long-term damage.
"One county had estimated that neglect of running repairs costing, say, £180 would later cost £1,870 in resurfacing and £6,500 if reconstruction were needed.
"We are not reducing public spending but just postponing it wastefully," added Mr Phillipson who was addressing the South Western Organisation for Road Development, "for the real costs will be greater in the future."