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Cllr David Brazier resigns as leader in charge of roads and transport resigns after streetlights switch-off row

The politician in charge of Kent's roads and transport has resigned from his cabinet role.

Cllr David Brazier, the cabinet member for highways and transport, confirmed he was to stand aside.

Mr Brazier denied that he had been forced out, saying that the decision had been mutually agreed with the leader Cllr Paul Carter.

County councillor David Brazier
County councillor David Brazier

He will be replaced by his deputy cabinet member Cllr Matthew Balfour.

'I have enjoyed the job and it was good fun.

"The streetlight switch-off was bound to be controversial and unpopular with people but we stuck at it. Both were extraordinarily challenging" he said.

Only just recently, Mr Brazier had been involved in a summit designed to find solutions to the problems of Operation Stack, announcing that the authority was looking at a series of small lorry parks which would be run commercially and be open round the clock.

Ukip Cllr Mike Baldock said: "David Brazier has obviously had a fraught two years and some of the decisions he made were the wrong decisions.

"The cost of the streetlight switch off, then the fact it didn't make savings and then the u-turn were an absolute shambles.

"However, none of these decisions were his alone and were signed off by the leadership, so in a sense he has become the fall guy."

KCC was accused of failing to save any money by switching off streetlights
KCC was accused of failing to save any money by switching off streetlights

Mr Brazier also presided over the controversial Westgate Towers traffic scheme in Canterbury.

KCC recently confirmed it was to scrap its light switch-off plans.

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