By ADAM LAZZARI WISBECH Town Football Club s plans to build a new ground have been boosted by news that a maintenance bill has been slashed by �37,000 after a surprise u-turn from Norfolk County Council. We reported last week that, on top of the �71,000 b

By ADAM LAZZARI

WISBECH Town Football Club's plans to build a new ground have been boosted by news that a maintenance bill has been slashed by �37,000 after a surprise u-turn from Norfolk County Council.

We reported last week that, on top of the �71,000 bill for access to the new ground, the club would have to fork out �37,414 for future maintenance.

Club chairman Paul Brenchley said the extra bill could throw the move to the new ground, off Lynn Road, into jeopardy.

But Norfolk County Council spokesman said this week: "I can confirm that the maintenance sum has been reduced from �37,414 to �2,414 after the football club queried the original calculation.

"We are able to do this because construction of the right turn lane will provide new surfacing and kerbing in place of old, reducing the need for this to be carried out at public expense. This is now reflected in the reduced amount.

"We hope that this good news will help the club in its plans to move to its new ground."

Brenchley said: "I refused to sign the agreement to pay the maintenance bill because it did not seem fair and I handed it over to the club solicitor who received an e mail last week telling us of the cut.

"I was pretty shocked by the good news. We are working to a very tight budget so surprise bills like this can push us over the edge.

"But I'm still bracing myself for any other surprise bills that may be around the corner."

Work is expected to start on access to the new ground in August.