A row has broken out between three councillors over getting priorities right for the future of Sandy. Mid Beds District Council (MBDC) members Peter Blaine and Nigel Aldis are being urged to ditch their campaign to save Sandy s dying market and devote mor

A row has broken out between three councillors over getting priorities right for the future of Sandy.

Mid Beds District Council (MBDC) members Peter Blaine and Nigel Aldis are being urged to ditch their campaign to save Sandy's dying market and devote more time to road safety issues.

The pair, who are also Sandy town councillors, launched their petition to try and save the town's Friday market in December and have so far got over 800 signatures.

The appeal for them to ditch their campaign comes from fellow MBDC councillor and Sandy resident Ken Lynch who said: "Sandy market is dead. The town council has made its decision and there is no question of it opening again once it closes at the end of March.

"Councillors Peter Blaine and Nigel Aldis should spend their time campaigning for better roads in the town instead of getting people to sign a petition to try and save the market.

"That is not going to happen no matter how many people sign their petition.

"Road safety issues and the state of roads in the town should come first. Many roads are very dangerous and there are now potholes close to the village hall that are very dangerous.

"Safety of residents must come first and not the market."

Cllr Aldis hit back saying: "These are totally different issues. The market is the responsibility of the town council and the roads are down to the county council.

"Our campaign to save the market is in no way distracting me from my other responsibilities.

"I have the concerns of Sandy at heart and I feel, along with Cllr Blaine, that the market is worth saving."

Cllr Aldis added: "Yes, there are problems with our roads, there is everywhere. But for Cllr Lynch to say we have our priorities wrong is nonsense."

Cllr Blaine said: "Over 800 people have signed our petition so what is Cllr Lynch going to say to those people?

"I am concerned about the state of our roads and if serious problems are identified I will put my weight behind them to get them repaired.

"But our petition is clearly a sign the market is of major public interest.