Herefordshire Council is to cut short its contract with its public realm works provider with Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP), saying the contract “does not allow it to deliver its longer term requirements and aspirations”.

The decision taken by the council’s cabinet during a closed session last Thursday (April 25) terminates the contract to maintain roads and other public infrastructure at the end of May 2026.

It has agreed to serve a two-year no-fault written notice on the civil engineering firm to this effect.

“This gives a two-year period for a redesign, procurement and planned mobilisation of the new service,” a council statement said. “This work is underway and we will share further details of this as we progress.”

It added: “We are committed to continuing to work closely with BBLP for the duration of our contract to ensure high quality services for local residents, and a smooth transition to the new arrangements.”

Balfour Beatty were awarded the contract in 2013. Last October the council agreed to two separate extensions to it, taking it up to the end of August 2026.

Last week, shortly before the cabinet meeting, North Herefordshire MP Sir Bill Wiggin questioned whether BBLP was qualified to spend over £100 million resurfacing Herefordshire’s roads, saying the council should “think carefully” about the deal.

Balfour Beatty has been asked for comment.