Fight goes on to stop council £15 million "vanity project"

4.02.00pm GMT Wed 20th Jan 2010

The fight to stop North Somerset Council's plan to move up to 700 jobs from Weston in a £15 million switch to Clevedon is being stepped up, despite the vote by Conservative councillors last week to approve the deal.

Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Weston-super-Mare, says he will leave "no stone unturned" in an effort to stop the plan from going ahead.

He has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon John Denham MP, asking him to personally intervene and review North Somerset's decision.

Mr Bell will also this week launch a petition on the Downing Street website calling on the Prime Minister to review North Somerset Council's plan. You can sign the petition here: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/keepwestonjobs/

Mr Bell said: "This £15 million vanity project by North Somerset Tories will end up costing Weston dear.

"As taxpayers we will be paying the bill for these Tory debts for years to come. And the damage in terms of lost jobs and regeneration momentum in our town will be grievous indeed.

"I am determined to leave no stone unturned in an effort to stop this plan from going ahead.

"Whatever happens, the message must go loud and clear to the council yes-men that we will not forget their treachery."