Conservative Manifesto U-Turn - A Major Let Down to the People

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Jul 2009

Paul Morse, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall has called the decision by the Conservative Administration to withdraw the Flood Sirens from service, against the policy promoted within their manifesto, a slap in the face of the people.

"We are just 32 days into a new Council and already this administration is breaking their manifesto promises. They categorically stated that they "will fight Environment Agency plans to shut down the flood sirens" yet they announce today that they plan to withdraw funding for them. The fact that they have already u-turned on this is a major let-down for voters. As the Councillor who represents Walcott, an area which experienced flooding in 2007, I know the importance of the flood sirens in keeping Norfolk's residents safe. It seems the Conservatives have only been interested in paying lip service to the safety of Norfolk's coastal residents. The timing of this decision makes you wonder whether this will be one of a number of Conservative manifesto promises to be broken now they have their election victory." said Paul Morse.

Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Fire and Community Protection, David Callaby has long stated his group's opposition to any abandonment of the flood sirens, "The public were consulted on this very issue and strongly requested that the sirens be kept in service. What we have here is a classic example of an administration being unwilling to accept the responsibility for protecting those who live in vulnerable areas."