Highways maintenance question raised at SCC Local Forum meeting on 9th January.

10.10.00pm GMT Mon 9th Jan 2006

Filthy signs are dangerous.

I have an ever increasing number of unaddressed complaints from the residents that I represent, concerning dangerous highway furniture. Typical items are dirty and non-reflective warning signs. These are so dirty that they are difficult to read during daylight. At night, they do not reflect vehicle headlights and are therefore ineffective.

There are Street Lamps that do not work at all, some that come on during daylight hours and not during the night. I have continuously reported sometimes the same item for months with absolutely no progress. All I receive is acknowledgements. I would like to know what the approved process is for reporting issues, what the target service level is for repairing faulty items and who to complain to, when things aren't repaired.

A summary of the answer was that there is no Service Level Agreement as part of the contract. Therefore the contractors can get around to it whenever they like. This is very bad contractual practice on behalf of Surrey County Council's legal team.

I will continue to monitor Highways works to see if there is any improvement.

Cllr. Steve Kulka

Meadvale & St. Johns Ward