THE “absolutely dreadful” state of the roads was a main cause of concern at Haslemere Town Council’s annual public meeting.

Former town and borough councillor Jim Edwards said on March 11: “The roads are the worst I’ve ever seen. They are the worst in Waverley and the worst in Surrey and I can’t see any progress.

“If Surrey County Council’s contractor can’t do the job, they should get someone who can.

“The mayor should go to Surrey and say Haslemere residents are up in arms.”

Haslemere county councillor Nikki Barton said: “I know the potholes are terrible. It’s the continuation of the bad weather.

“I’m not impressed by the contractor Kier. I invited Surrey portfolio holder Matt Furniss to Haslemere last week and expressed everyone’s deep frustration.

“We went to see some of the most critical issues, including the scandal of the drain in Wey Hill outside Baker’s not being properly repaired for eight years.

“I personally think the Kier contract should have been withheld, but it has been extended for two years.

“Matt assured me there was more money for potholes and he promised to get a better deal from Kier going forward.

“The best thing to do is to keep reporting potholes on Surrey County Council’s website.”

In his annual report, Haslemere mayor John Robini told the meeting the town council was liaising with Surrey Police and installing more CCTV cameras.

A camera site had been identified in Wey Hill to focus on the traffic lights area, he said, where there have been road accidents and vandalism.

Cameras are also being fitted to view the shopping area in the High Street.

A former crime prevention officer, Mr Robini said he bought 14 cameras in 2004 for Waverley borough after £300,000 was raised, but they were now out of date and hadn’t been replaced.