Hertfordshire County Council 'keeping details of £250million roads contract a secret'

Private company Ringway were handed the multi-million pound five-year contract in September, despite criticism from opposition councillors who described it as a “bolt out of the blue”.

But the Tory-run council have now voted not to allow any scrutiny of the deal by other parties.

Cllr Stephen Giles-
Medhurst said: “The 
contract is worth £250m but just two officers and one 
executive member will 
decide what is in it.

“Councillors will get no vote on the contract or even a say on what improvements will be agreed – and there need to be lots of those.

“It is clear that the 
Conservatives have fallen for Ringway’s promises to improve.”

Cllr Ralph Sangster, portfolio holder for highways, said the Lib Dems were being “disingenuous”.

He added: “The proposal to extend the Ringway contract has been recommended by a management board consisting of senior officers who have undertaken a 12-month review of the service and the options available to the council.”