Hertfordshire county councillor Eric Buckmaster criticises utility companies over standard of road works

A Herts county councillor has raised the issue of utility companies leaving Sawbridgeworth roads in a poor condition after carrying out work.

Cllr Eric Buckmaster reported to Sawbridgeworth Town Council's meeting on Monday that the condition of carriageways in the county compared very well to national averages, but he admitted there was a problem with the standard of work by utility companies.

“You have one contractor go in and then it causes someone else a problem,” he said.

Cllr Buckmaster, who is executive member for the environment on Hertfordshire County Council, posted on Sawbridgeworth Facebook group last week that after Cadent Gas had worked on London Road a water leak had sprung from a burst main. This meant Affinity Water had to come in and fix it, causing traffic disruption.

A previous incident saw Affinity Water criticised after they closed London Road outside the Co-op following a burst main. Cllr Buckmaster accused the firm of being a “law unto themselves”.