A STOURPORT councillor has criticised Worcestershire County Council's decision to refurbish its debating chamber - claiming the £600,000 should have been spent on improving the town's roads.

The move, part of a two year works programme at County Hall, Worcester, costing £1.6m, has angered Jill Fairbrother Millis, who supported an unsuccessful motion to ditch the proposals earlier this month.

She said: "The highways are the biggest problem that Stourport-on-Severn faces. The majority of complaints I receive are about the condition of the roads in the town. People pay their taxes and they want to see value for money.

"I understand the work probably does need doing but it is about prioritising the money available and this is simply not the best way to spend it at the moment."

The Independent Health Concern councillor said the cash could have been used to improve safety on the busy Vale Road.

She explained: "We have been promised a crossing there for six years and then the goalposts are moved and it does not happen. It was one of the things residents called for at the last PACT - Partners and Communities Together - meeting because we desperately need one to cross safely."

The council maintained the work would boost its service coffers in the long term through savings made on hiring private venues for training purposes. Stephen Clee, the council's cabinet member for corporate finance, said criticism of the makeover was "very short-sighted" and the programme of works would save "millions of pounds".

He explained: "It really is a nonsense to suggest the money could be transferred. You simply cannot do that and £600,000 is a drop in the ocean when it comes to the highway budget anyway.

"The chamber is currently only used 12 times a year and the improvements will make it more accessible, meaning it could be used for training or hired out for wedding receptions. You have to spend money to make money."

The Conservative added there was "absolutely no way" a crossing would be put on Vale Road while it remained a three-lane carriageway but said a foot bridge was a "sensible idea".