Chippenham-based MEP Dr Julia Reid has slated Wiltshire Council for rejecting a motion to hold an independent motion into a failed £150m highways contract, that was brought to an end two years early.

Dr Julia Reid MEP said the saga over the contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) is a "major embarrassment" to the county and called on the council to “pull its socks up” and ensure local highways maintenance and grass cutting provision is up to scratch.

The contract between the local authority and BBLP came to end early by mutual consent following criticism over grass cutting provision in towns and villages.

In May, angry residents in Calne attacked the council for failing to maintain grassland with one Stickleback Road householder expressing concerns over grassland maintenance at the end of the road.

Dr Julia Reid MEP, who is also a Councillor on Calne Town Council, said: “This shambolic BBLP saga needs to be examined through the holding of an independent inquiry.

“I am a Councillor on Calne Town Council and we’ve had a lot of problems reported with the grass maintenance that is the responsibility of Wiltshire Council.

"Local taxpayers deserve better and indeed Wiltshire deserves better. The appearance of an area is crucial if we want to attract further, much-needed, investment into the county.

“Overgrown bushes and hedges is not a good advertisement for the area and I call on Wiltshire Council, who should be embarrassed by this whole situation, to pull its socks up and ensure proper highways maintenance and grass-cutting provision is delivered.”