Husband and wife team Michael and Virginia Bucknor have resigned from Wisbech Town Council following a row at last night’s meeting over reducing speeds limits in the Waterlees Ward.

Wisbech Standard: The Conservative party's leaflet from 2011 clearly shows a promise for 20mph speed limits.The Conservative party's leaflet from 2011 clearly shows a promise for 20mph speed limits. (Image: Archant)

The independent councillors - the last two opposition members - called it a day when the Conservative majority refused to back a scheme for the introduction of a 20mph limit along roads, in what is the most heavily populated part of the town.

Speaking this morning (Tuesday) Mrs Bucknor said: “We have had enough of being ignored and abused. We are just wasting our time trying to get anything done. The Conservative majority are more interested in their own vanities and their own politics than doing something the residents have been requesting for years.”

The Bucknors proposed the council support a Minor Highways Bid to Cambridgeshire County Council for 20mph for all of Waterlees. They estimated the cost to the town council at around £350 to £500 representing 10 per cent of the cost.

Mrs Bucknor said: “As usual, they refused. Various excuses were used such as “other councillors haven’t put in their bids yet”, “other speed reductions need to be in place first”.

“We feel we’re just going through a charade, attending these meetings where very little is made of residents’ concerns. Even the leader’s report and ideas for the future did not even include the Wisbech Garden Town until I raised it - something that will impact every resident for decades.”

She pointed out the Conservatives had promised to deliver the 20mph limit in their own election leaflets back in 2011, but since then have continually fought against the Bucknors’ moves to get it introduced.

“This is not us asking for this, it is what the residents want. We are putting forward their requests, but the Tories are not prepared to back it for what appears to be no good reason other than their for their own political games,” said Mrs Bucknor.

“We feel we have been abused long enough. We will continue as district councillors, and to be honest 99.9 per cent of our work is done their. We get things done through Fenland. At least now there can be one by-election to replace us and Alan Lay who resigned recently.”