Lib Dems lead call for review of highways contract after projects come in 21% over estimate

Surrey County Council's local committee for Epsom & Ewell received a report that an overspend of £75,000 was incurred on a range of highways projects undertaken in the borough within the last financial year, so the funds available for the current year have been reduced accordingly. Questioning from the committee revealed that the 21% excess of costs over budget arose because prices quoted for projects are based on estimated costs. The contract agreed by Conservative-led Surrey County Council does not require the contractor to be held to this estimate and allows the contractor to charge whatever the work actually costs.

Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have long been critical of the terms of the Highways Contract, claiming that it does not represent value for money for the tax-payer. During the recent county council election, local Liberal Democrats mounted a vigorous campaign calling for improvements to the condition of our roads and it was one of the Lib Dem "Six to Fix" manifesto priorities.

Officers from Surrey County Council confirmed that the Council is now seeking to renegotiate the contract to get fixed lump sum prices before highways works commence. Liberal Democrat County Councillor Colin Taylor, Chair of Epsom and Ewell Local Committee, got the members of the committee to support a resolution which, whilst welcoming the renegotiation of the contract, urged Surrey County Council's Conservative Cabinet "to ensure that any future process includes provision for comparing the rates charged to Surrey with those currently being paid for similar work by neighbouring authorities".

Cllr Taylor said: "It is quite astonishing that the way the contract has been set up leaves the Council unable to manage its budget. Highways is a key issue for local residents. The highways budget is not big enough to cope with the repairs and other schemes that are needed and it makes it even more important to get value for money. I hope the Council's Cabinet listens to the views of the committee and gets to grips with the quality and cost of highways works."