Cheltenham Civic Society has raised serious concerns about the procurement, management and sign-off of the recent surfacing works on the Strand. Following revelations about the project’s £350,000 cost, correspondence with Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) has exposed what appear to be systemic weaknesses in governance and accountability.
The Society warns that taxpayers are being left to shoulder the burden for substandard work, while the contractor escapes responsibility for remedial action under warranty.
Andrew Booton, Chair of Cheltenham Civic Society, said: “Despite clear evidence that the surfacing has resulted in a far-from-satisfactory finish, GCC’s response reveals a dismissive attitude.
“The same officer who designed, specified and oversaw the works also signed them off and authorised payment. Because he is satisfied, there is no intention to invoke the warranty to correct what the public can see is a shoddy job. This leaves the public purse exposed to long-term risks without any enforceable protection.”
In a letter sent to MP Max Wilkinson, Cllr Joe Harris (GCC Cabinet Member for Highways) and Cllr Izaac Tailford (CBC Cabinet Member for Public Realm), the Civic Society identifies key issues including:
- Lack of Competitive Tendering – The works were not individually tendered but instead placed under a broad contracting framework, with no evidence that best value, quality or long-term performance were tested.
- Due Diligence Gaps – No demonstration has been provided that the specific challenges of the Strand were assessed when awarding the work.
- Weak Oversight and Conflicts of Responsibility – One officer was responsible for design, specification, oversight, sign-off and payment authorisation, leaving no independent scrutiny.
- Failure to Learn Lessons – GCC’s conclusion that “there are no concerns from the designer’s perspective” disregards public dissatisfaction and risks repetition of the same errors.
The Civic Society stresses that urgent corrective action is essential. At a minimum, it is calling for Immediate remedial works under warranty to bring the Strand into an acceptable state of repair before the guarantee expires.
It also wants an independent review of GCC’s processes to ensure lessons are learnt, accountability is restored and the same failures are not repeated.
“Immediate action is required to ensure the taxpayers’ interest is preserved and the work redone to the expected standard,” Mr Booton added.
“Cheltenham needs and deserves high-quality public realm investment. At present, however, an abysmal stretch of highway undermines both the town’s reputation and the efforts of many to sustain a thriving town centre.”