The amount of money spent maintaining the county’s highways has dropped consistently over the last four years, recently released figures have shown.

Highways spending has plummeted from £39.2 million in 2013/14 to around £30 million this year which, coupled with inflation, means less can be done with the money available.

Hertfordshire County Council is predicting an increase in highways spending over the forthcoming financial year.  

However Sara Bedford, leader of Three Rivers District Council, said the same prediction was made this time last year.

"The Conservatives are continually telling residents that spending on roads is going up. These figures, provided by independent council officers, show that in fact this vital spending has fallen every year for four years,” she said.

"The council is forecasting an increase next year. However they did exactly the same this time last year and instead we have seen another fall in spending.  

"No wonder local residents are complaining more and more about potholed roads and trip hazards on pavements.”