A councillor has been criticised after refusing to attend a public meeting to explain a series of roadworks delays.

Cllr Terry Douris, chairman of Hertfordshire County Council’s (HCC) highways and waste panel, has been criticised by Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor for refusing to attend a public meeting to discuss the delayed roadworks on Six Hills Way, Stevenage.

The road has been closed between Shephall Way and Valley Way since July while a new bridge is built, and is not expected to reopen until the middle of December.

Cllr Taylor said: “It is his job to be accountable to the people of Hertfordshire and give them the opportunity to have their questions answered.

“People can’t understand why these works have been delayed yet again. It is affecting people across our town and it doesn’t seem like anyone is holding their hands up and taking responsibility for it.

“I really don’t think it is good enough and I think the people of Stevenage would agree with me. When you are in a position of public office, you know full well that your constituents will demand to know why things have gone wrong. They deserve to have their questions answered.”

The Comet has also repeatedly attempted to contact Cllr Douris about the issue this week but he is yet to respond.

The criticism comes after the works were delayed for a third time earlier this month, with HCC saying wet weather was to blame.

The works, being carried out by Geoffrey Osborne Ltd, had originally been scheduled for completion in September before being delayed until October and again until November. The work was initially expected to cost £347,000 but HCC has revealed an estimated increase of £35,000 as a result of changed work specifications.

A site visit had also been arranged by the Comet for November 7 to gain insight into what had caused the delays, but the visit was later cancelled. It is yet to be rescheduled.