Shropshire Council is pledging to escalate concerns over developers failing to meet basic standards, and leaving housing estates without proper roads and pathways.
Kier’s targets on a £210m highways maintenance contract have been redrawn after a performance described as “disappointing” by Shropshire Council.
The contractor beat then incumbent Ringway to win the contract in 2017, with work starting in 2018. The contract was meant to be worth £10m-£21m a year, but has so far cost the local authority £27m per annum, a council report has revealed.
Quality of roads in the area have come in for criticism in the period, with the Conservative-run council receiving numerous complaints from the public about potholes.
“The highways service recognises that the first two years of the Kier contract have been challenging and performances have been disappointing at times,” the report said, adding that there have been “significant improvements” in the last six months.
UPCOMING firework displays will be listed online to warn vulnerable people and pet-owners about likely noise and flashes, a report says. Shropshire Council voted to establish a list, along with other measures aimed at promoting responsible events, over a year ago. In a report due to go before councillors next week, trading standards and regulatory services bosses note that recent Guy Fawkes’ Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali displays were cancelled because of the coronavirus lockdown, but says a register of known events will be kept and publicised post-Covid. The Place Overview Committee will discuss the report – which also summarises efforts to promote quieter fireworks and “silent displays” – on Thursday, April 8.
A group set up to work with the agricultural community to improve safety on Shropshire’s roads is making good progress in its work to improve education, guidance and training for all partners and agencies. The working group consists of Shropshire Council, the National Farmers Union, West Mercia Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner. It was set up last year to assist in reducing the concerns and complaints received by the council from residents and business about agricultural vehicles on the county’s roads. But, its aim is to provide support and guidance to those working in the agricultural sector and to ensure all agencies can work collectively to increase the skills and knowledge of staff to support the sector and address the concerns raised by residents.