THE row over the performance of Hertfordshire Highways escalated this week following allegations that sub-contractors have been involved in bodged jobs.

LIberal Democrat leader at County Hall, County Councillor Chris White, said the work of sub-contactors employed by Mouchel and Amey-Lafarge was not up to scratch.

He described the partnership between the council and its contractors as an out-of-control monster.

He added: "It is many months since the county council got together with Mouchel and Amey-Lafarge, supposedly to create a seamless service.

"These months have been characterised by a deterioration in street-lighting, chaotically organised roadworks and deplorable working practices by some sub-contractors.

"We have all had enough.

"The contractors need to understand that it is public money which is funding this poor level of service."

Councillor White highlighted two incidents in St Albans last week.

One occurred in Gombards where workmen arrived at 4.15am to carry out non-urgent work that woke many residents up, he said.

The second happened in Park Street when tar that was laid at the edge of Mount Drive was not properly signposted.

A man walked through the tar and into his living room.

He is now applying for compensation.

Councillor White said: "The main problem is one of monitoring.

"We need some kind of system whereby we can ensure that sub-contactors employed by the council's main partners are reined in so that residents do not bear the brunt of cowboy practices.

"It is absolutely evident that the current contractors do not understand their responsibilities and let sub-contractors do largely what they like."

Conservative spokesman for the environment, Councillor Derrick Ashley, shrugged off Councillor White's comments as political posturing.

He said: "The performance of Hertfordshire Highways is under constant scrutiny and I am ensuring that additional management processes are put in place to monitor performance.

"While problems with any contractor will occasionally arise, performance of Hertfordshire Highways overall is improving," he said.

"These new arrangements were supported by all members of the council in the full knowledge that these radical arrangements would take time to bed down."

Hertfordshire Highways came under fire recently after the installation of traffic lights at the Folly Lane junction with Normandy Road overran by several months.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Highways, which represents both Mouchel and Amey-Lafarge, said: "This is a partnership venture whose sole aim is to provide better, more efficient and more cost-effective services for the people of Hertfordshire.

"It is not out of control and the recent incident needs to be put into perspective.

"Problems of the nature quoted have – under previous arrangements – occurred from time to time.

"We are thoroughly investigating to see what went wrong this time and will take whatever action is appropriate.

"In the meantime we would unreservedly apologise to affected residents."