In recent publications, Conservative councillors have claimed that highways maintenance has increased by £9.2 million or 22 per cent on last year.

READ MORE: Extra funding given to Hertfordshire County Council to fix potholes

However, senior council officers say that they do not “recognise these numbers”.

It’s now clear that the Conservatives have distorted the figures and included money that is being spent on projects other than the repair of our roads and footways.

This is clearly an attempt to trick residents into thinking they are spending extra on roads maintenance when they are not.

The fact is the Conservatives are spending £7.2 million on new LED street lights and £3 million on cutting back bushes and cleaning signs.

It’s a fact that this so-called increase in spending will not be used to fix our roads and pavements.

To say otherwise is deceitful and seeks to mislead the public.

The county council’s own accounts show they are spending more than £1m less this year on mending potholes, and over £600,000 less on local roads maintenance.

Of course it’s not just how much is spent that matters, but how the money is spent as Liberal Democrats keep pointing out.

The quality of work remains poor in many cases, whilst the delay in getting repairs done is increasing.

Residents are growing frustrated and annoyed at the poor service they are receiving.

For the last three years, the Liberal Democrats have proposed an alternative budget for Hertfordshire, with more money to repair and maintain our local roads.

Every year, the Conservatives have voted it down as they have our motions to revamp and improve the highways service.

It’s time all this changed and the Conservatives admit that they have got it wrong.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Hertfordshire County Council, and spokesman on highways