POLITICAL rivals have clashed over money for repairing York’s roads after an emergency budget was approved.

Financial proposals for the rest of 2011/12 drawn up by the Labour group were last week voted through, with the party saying it will reverse almost £1 million in cuts.

The Liberal Democrats claim the plans will mean more borrowing and a £1 million reduction in the budget for road and footpath repairs over the next four years.

Labour said spending would increase by £60,000 and branded the comments “bizarre”.

The party’s budget involves “restructuring” £222,000 of funding for repairs in 2011/12.

Lib Dem councillor Nigel Ayre said: “Labour may think borrowing money is a clever way to fund their spending commitments, but it’s typical of them to think problems can be solved just by whipping out the city’s credit card.

“This is not sensible budgeting. Borrowing to do the work this year will cost more than £20,000 in interest payments, so taxpayers are facing an increased bill without seeing any more work done to improve roads – it simply isn’t sustainable.”

But council leader James Alexander said: “There is no decrease in road repairs budgets at all.

“Our budget increases spending on road resurfacing by £60,000 this year while still reducing the council’s debt position by £1.7 million.

“The council will set the 2012/13 budget next February and this could include increasing funding for road resurfacing. This attack is truly bizarre and council officers cannot fathom it.”