THE Labour Group is concerned about a recently established infrastructure fund from the New Homes Bonus.

It argues this is not the correct use of the money and the cash will end up in the hands of developers.

Coun Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “We’re against the Conservative’s decision to earmark unallocated New Homes Bonus to pump prime new infrastructure projects... the New Homes Bonus is provided to mitigate the effects of housing developments.

“For decades there has been a system where councils did not pay for major infrastructure projects... this funding came from housing developers and from the government. It seems that only the Conservative administration in Swindon think that this council has so much spare money that it can pay for major infrastructure projects itself.

“The New Homes Bonus would be much more effectively used updating the infrastructure Swindon already has – by starting a major road resurfacing programme and letting developers and central Government to continue paying for major infrastructure projects as they have done historically.”

The Conservatives argue the money shows commitment to helping the town reach its economic potential and say it will use half of the fund for the next five years on big projects, such as the Thamesdown Drive extension.