By JANE FIELD

ANGRY councillors in Penketh have hit out over lengthy roadworks in the district which are causing morning peak-hour mayhem and they are calling for better scrutiny of council contracts.

Works to widen the pavement and resurface Penketh Road began a month ago between Heath Road and Liverpool Road. Penketh Parish Council has written to the borough council's highways officers with concerns that the contractors are taking too long.

Too much of the road being done at the same time is also making the problem worse, they say.

The parish council has received many complaints from residents in the district who say it is taking them up to four times as long as usual to get to work.

"In my view these works are taking too long. It's just not good customer care," said Clr George Warburton.

"We think the stretch of road is totally unreasonable and this is prolonging the agony.

"We must look at the detail of the contract.

"Some people are now not using Penketh Road and are going down to St Mary's Road and increasing the congestion down there. It is just too much."

Phil Johnson, the borough council's assistant director of transportation and environmental design services, said: "We are continuously reviewing our work on this site and looking for ways to reduce the effects these roadworks will have for residents and businesses.

"We apologise if they cause any inconvenience and will take on board the comments and concerns of the parish council."