A highways firm responsible for pothole repairs across Cambridgeshire could now be subject to fines following widespread criticism of its work quality. Cambridgeshire County Council, which holds a substantial £51 million-per-year contract with M Group, acknowledged that the firm had not met the required service levels, with some repairs being labelled "ridiculous" and "unbelievable" by council officers.
Despite the existing contract being due to conclude next year, the council has opted to extend its agreement with M Group until 2030. This decision comes amidst local government reorganisation, with Highways and Transport Committee chair, Alex Beckett, stating that government advice prevented the council from immediately seeking a new contractor. M Group, for its part, has affirmed its commitment to "continue to drive innovation and best practice."
Concerns regarding the quality of work have been persistent. As far back as March of last year, papers from the council's Highways and Transport Committee highlighted "response times and quality of work is a continued concern" in relation to the M Group contract, which covers various services including essential pothole repairs. Internal council documents, obtained by the BBC, reportedly show officers reviewing individual repairs and noting "very poor workmanship," with some fixes failing within a matter of weeks.
Specific examples of poor practice were detailed in these documents. A cluster of small pothole repairs in Wimblington, Cambridgeshire, was reportedly deemed "ridiculous," with officers suggesting they should have been consolidated into a single patch rather than a series of overlapping smaller squares. Furthermore, an inspection of repairs on Priory Road in St Neots town centre, just two weeks after completion, found the work "not very good at all," with areas marked for repair left untouched and dimensions smaller than originally specified.
Under the extended contract, significant changes have been implemented to address these quality issues. Councillor Beckett, a Liberal Democrat, explained that while his preference would have been to re-procure, it wasn't an immediate option. He confirmed that the new agreement now includes "financial penalties in place so where previously we could only ask our contractor to go and redo the repair, now if we find that there is a quality failing they will actually be fined for that." The council will also require photographic evidence of every repair, allowing for checks up to a year later. While the exact fine amounts remain commercially sensitive, Beckett indicated they are substantial enough to "incentivise them to be doing the right course of action first time."
Matthew Riches, M Group operations director, expressed delight at the continuation of their relationship with Cambridgeshire County Council, stating, "We will continue to drive innovation and best practice, taking a proactive approach to ensure Cambridgeshire residents receive an efficient, high-quality service." He added that the company's commitment to safer, greener highways, combined with the council's ambitions, places safety, value for money, environmental responsibility, and communities at the heart of their service delivery.
Source: BBC