THE consultancy firm which oversees highways projects in Wyre Forest has been criticised in a local authority report.

Worcestershire County Council set up a scrutiny task group to look at its contract with Halcrow which helps manage small and large-scale highways projects on County Hall's behalf.

The scrutiny report concluded concerns about the company's lack of management control and project supervision were "justified" but the situation was now improving.

Fran Oborski, Liberal county councillor for St Georges and St Oswalds division, was appointed to the task group in June 2007.

She said: "The problem was initially the county council hadn't really negotiated a really good contract with Halcrow in 2005.

"At times the relationship between them and county highways was too cosy.

"Another part of the problem was County Hall wasn't giving specific instructions on what it wanted ahead of a project."

She added since John Hobbs, county council environmental services director, had been brought in there had been improvements in the way projects had been carried out.

Halcrow's contract, signed in 2005 and running until March 2009, was worth £2.1 million to the company in the last financial year and includes carrying out structural surveys and accident investigation work.

The task group's report will now be handed to county council cabinet on February 8 with any necessary policy changes announced following the presentation.

The document's recommends County Hall explore the idea of working together with other local authorities in the West Midlands, making sure projects are more clearly laid out before work starts and notifying people of planned works in their area in good time.

Nobody from Halcrow - which supervised the Stourport Bridge works - was available for comment ahead of a meeting between the firm's chiefs and county council officers today.

The report is available to view on the county council website by clicking here.