Concerns have emerged that Gloucestershire’s Liberal Democrat-led Shire Hall administration has been “let off” the hook after a bid by Reform UK to enhance pothole repairs and overall highways services was significantly watered down.
At a recent Gloucestershire County Council meeting, residents expressed growing frustration over unrepaired potholes, incomplete roadworks, and a lack of transparent communication about repairs. Reform UK councillors responded by proposing a motion aimed at improving accountability and transparency in managing the county’s roads.
The original motion, tabled by Councillor Michael Rees (R, Cam Valley), called for quarterly reports detailing road repair schedules, completion rates, financial allocations and expenditures, contractor performance, project timelines, and resident satisfaction surveys. It also sought public accessibility to these reports and a comprehensive breakdown of staffing and resources within the highways department.
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However, the motion was amended by the ruling Liberal Democrats, led by Highways Maintenance Cabinet Member Joe Harris (LD, Cirencester), who argued that many of these concerns were already being addressed. The revised motion delegated the matter to the council cabinet for consideration within the broader corporate plan and the ongoing highways improvement program. Ultimately, it left the decision on further reporting measures to the discretion of Lib Dem council chiefs.
This compromise sparked unease among some councillors. Conservative Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames), a former highways chief, warned that Reform UK had effectively “let off” the Lib Dem administration by accepting what he described as “basic performance management” measures rather than demanding the systemic changes needed to improve roads swiftly.
Morris urged the council to reconsider its approach, highlighting the necessity of redesigning the highways operating model and employing advanced technology to tackle persistent problems. He expressed frustration that previous attempts to implement such reforms faced resistance.
Meanwhile, Councillor Rees emphasized the daily impact of poor road conditions and prolonged works on residents, underscoring the erosion of public trust caused by inadequate communication and delayed repairs.
Cabinet member Harris acknowledged the council faces a significant challenge in turning the county’s highways around, committing to greater transparency and improved communications. He noted the importance of making any new reporting requirements manageable for council officers, who are responsible for collating and monitoring progress through key performance indicators.
The amended motion was ultimately approved unanimously, representing a cautious step toward better highway management, but one that leaves some observers questioning whether it goes far enough to address longstanding infrastructure issues.