Lib Dems call to put all highways work out to competition

10.42.35am GMT Fri 19th Feb 2010

Lib Dems at Kent County Hall have called for all of KCC's £50million roadworks programme to be put out to competition from local firms. Currently much of KCC's £50 million annual spending on roads goes to their partner contractors Ringway without open competition.

Trudy Dean, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Kent County Council, said:

"The County Council has made a great show of putting out JUST the £1 million pothole repair blitz to competitive bids by smaller firms - but why stop there? What about the other £49 million? In the current economic climate, contractors are cutting prices to be more competitive, and the County Council should be making sure that it has the best possible deal for the Council Tax payer."

The Lib Dems also want the County Council to come out of their "partnering" when it comes up for renegotiation next year. Malcolm Robertson, Shadow Cabinet Member for Highways, said:

"This contract has led to KCC paying contractors overheads, and starting an expensive programme of office relocation which has now been abandoned because of the cost, to allow KCC to share premises with the contractors staff. Lib Dems opposed this 'cosy relationship' this from the beginning, and we want the County Council to end it as soon as possible."