Planned improvement works on more than 60 roads across Hertfordshire over the coming year have been put on hold.

Hertfordshire County Council has reduced the funding for certain highways schemes for the forthcoming financial year.

This means a number of projects will not take place as planned.

In Borehamwood, this includes the resurfacing of a section of Elstree Way and Balmoral Drive.

The Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats have criticised the decision to slash the highways budget for repairing roads by a total of £8m up to 2025.

Lib Dem highways spokesperson, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, said: "The Conservatives claim that our side roads have improved over recent years. There may have been some improvements but it was from a very low base.

"For residents living on the roads that have now been cut and for others waiting for their roads to be considered, the situation is far from satisfactory.

"Cancelling 61 planning schemes for the next year is a kick in the teeth, not just for motorists but also for cyclists. The impact that will be felt by cyclists is particularly disappointing given that the county should be encouraging residents to change to more sustainable forms of transport."

Resurfacing is still scheduled to take place by March 2022 in the following roads: Tempsford Avenue, Gateshead Road, Greenside, Eldon Avenue, Chester Road, and Ripon Way near Manor Way.

Responding to Cllr Giles-Medhurst, Conservative councillor Phil Bibby, responsible for highways, said: "A few years ago, Hertfordshire County Council committed £37m funding over five years under its 'Invest to Improve' initiative, to bring the condition of its unclassified roads to a similar level to its A, B and C roads.

"Having spent £21m, we have achieved our target two years early, halving the unclassified roads in need of repair.

"Following a critical review of our budget and priorities, we are able to re-deploy £8m of this funding towards our need to spend £30m over the next four years on improving drainage, sustainability measures, promoting 20 mph zones and enhanced maintenance of footways and cycleways, the latter two necessary to encourage safe active travel. This is despite the additional financial pressures from the pandemic.

"All road improvement schemes committed under the ‘Invest to Improve’ programme are still going to be completed over the next two years, and £8m continues to be earmarked to ensure this is achieved – so it is not correct to claim that schemes have been cut."