State of Our Roads

WITH reference to Brian Marsh's letter ref Highways and the awful situation reference the current state of our roads. I very much share the frustration and sentiments of his letter. Since being elected as the County Cllr for Dursley last year I have worked with local organisations such as Parish and Town Councils to endeavour to get repairs and highways work undertaken. The current situation is not working, the County let a new contract which in theory should be more efficient and effective. Sadly this has proved not to be the case, I have submitted numerous questions seeking basic information such as has the request for a repair been registered and if so will it be undertaken and if so by when and lastly a report back on when it is undertaken. Sadly none of this information has been forthcoming. There have also been numerous problems and complaints about how the new contractor has failed to work with the volunteers who maintain our valuable public footpaths. There is a lack of staff who actual work for the County Highways, who no longer actually check if the contractor carries out the work it has been asked to do. The formal excuse from the Conservative administration at Shire hall is that there are " teething problems" with the new contractor. I believe the time had come to question whether the County have a) the right contract and b) the right contractor, which I will certainly do.