Anger at switch to outside firm for Wirral’s road repairs

Oct 22 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

ROAD maintenance services in Wirral will be carried out by an external contractor from next April.

Cabinet members last week decided to award a five-year contract for highways operations, including street lighting, pavement maintenance and road surface repairs, to Colas.

Members of the public and the press were not allowed into the meeting to hear discussion about the contract.

The council says the switch will save money and result in service improvements – but a number of staff who currently carry out the work for its highways operational services division have contacted the News to say they are angry about the decision.

One man, who asked not to be named, said: “We didn’t think they weren’t going in for the contract and then all of a sudden we found out everything we do is being transferred across to them. We don’t understand it and a lot of the lads are miffed that it’s going to another firm.”

The council says the majority of staff employed in its highways operational services division are expected to be transferred to Colas under the same terms of employment.

The council says it is confident that a small number of staff – understood to be around 12 – who will not transfer will be redeployed to other positions.

Councillor Jean Quinn, cabinet member for streetscene and transport services, said: “This contract will enable the council to provide an enhanced highways maintenance service while providing excellent value for money. We are confident the partner we have selected will deliver a first-class service to the people of Wirral.”