Southend Council has lost £280,000 of Government cash because it is at the bottom of a national league of shame in delivering transport projects.

From being one of the top performers in 2001 the town has slumped to bottom of a council transport performance list.

But Brian Kelly, executive councillor for transport, said: "We have sent a complete rebuttal to the Government and have asked them to look at the situation again.

"They simply have not read what we have sent to them or taken into account the delays there have been on some schemes."

The indicative allocation to Southend next year has been cut by £280,000. In addition, money for the controversial Priory Crescent widening scheme is being held back until after a public inquiry into compulsory purchase orders for the plan which is due to start in early March.

Published Thursday January 22, 2004

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