Row over company’s slow pace of repairs

Councillor Terry James launched a stinging attack on Balfour Beatty and its work at a recent Kington Town Council meeting.

He said he was greatly concerned about the way the company is staffing projects and he said the dropped kerbs at Headbrook are a prime example.

“I have never seen such an inefficient way of doing such a basic task. I have asked local contractors how long it would take them to do it and they have said two or three days and Balfour Beatty has taken weeks.

“I parked up there one day to watch what was going on and the answer was, not much. Just after 3pm they went home.

"This is what is wrong with the current system, where people apply for contracts and it’s the most costly way to run projects in Herefordshire. They are not being paid by the job but by the hour, so there is no rush or desire to get on with the work and end the inconvenience to the people in an around Kington.

“It’s a disgrace and something needs to be done about it.”

'Disgrace'

Balfour Beatty said they would welcome the chance to talk to Councillor James, the town council and Chamber of Trade about their concerns.

Councillor James added: “But they have signed a contract with Herefordshire Council, which is basically a licence to print money. The contract is for about another 10 years and it is a disgrace.”

But he said the good news is that the company is so slow that they probably will not get to the work planned on the High Street until next year.

“They should be paid on a job by job basis and we have local contractors who would do it in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost. There is very little money about now and this is a waste of money and we are spending it in a very poor way.”

Councillor James said there was supposed to be scrutiny of their work but there is not really.

Chamber of Trade member Chris Coates said they have had meetings with Balfour Beatty over their plans for the High Street.

He said they have not really got anywhere with them. He said they had concerns about the locations proposed for dropped kerbs and urged the company to provide three-way traffic lights at the clock tower but the ideas were not considered favourably. But he said they have conceded to put down tactile surfaces at the dropped kerbs, which was a positive.

Town clerk Liz Kelso said she often does not get a response from Balfour Beatty when she contacts them and on one occasion, she received a response six months after her enquiry.

A Balfour Beatty Living Places spokesperson said: "Working in partnership with Herefordshire Council, we are committed to ensuring Herefordshire's roads, public rights of way and public open spaces are safe and well-managed. We regularly meet with local councillors and would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Chamber of Trade, ward members and the Town Clerk to discuss their comments and concerns and specifically to address any specific works or schemes they have questions about.”