Telford road maintenance jobs being axed in cuts
Road maintenance jobs in Telford & Wrekin are set to be axed. Roadworks and utility services contractor Amey Highways said funding cutbacks were to blame for seven posts being put at risk.
But the company said efforts were under way to relocate some of the employees to other areas in the business.
The company has launched consultation procedures with its 17-strong workforce based at Granville House in Donnington, Telford.
They are responsible for repairing roads across the borough.
Alistair Duncan, Amey Highways spokesman, said: "In light of a reduction in funding for our highways maintenance services for Telford and Wrekin Council, we are now reviewing our operating model for this contractto ensure we offer best value for money for the people of Telford and Wrekin."As part of this, we have now entered a consultation period with our employees. We will be aiming to find new positions for people in other areas of the business wherever possible and will be supporting all our employees through this process.
"We remain committed to providing an excellent highways maintenance service for the residents of Telford and Wrekin."
But an employee, who did want want to be named, said: "We were told by the managers that seven out of the 17 positions have got to go and that they need to get volunteers by Monday.
"Everyone is up in arms about it. There were rumours circulating that jobs might be under threat, but the company didn't come out and say anything until now. I think it's disgusting the way they they've gone about it and to give us less than a week's notice to consider how future is unbelievable.
"We have called in the union to monitor the process and the consultation is under way. We have been told to supply our information by tomorrow(fri) as they need to get the seven names by Monday.
"People are really angry about the way this has been handled. We haven't been given an explanation about what has happened to result in job losses. We do all the council's road repairs."
Telford & Wrekin Council has to make £30 million worth of cuts over the next two years, following a 20 per cent cut to its Government grant allocation next year.
The council's cabinet approved the budget proposals earlier this year, including a rise in council tax of 3.2 per cent in the 2016/17 financial year.
Amey based in Oxfordshire carries out contract work including highways and lighting repairs for local authorities.
