The reputation of Shropshire County Council is being “tarnished” because major roads are poorly maintained by the Government’s Highway Agency, a new report claims.

The agency is also refusing to send officials to discuss the situation with council watchdogs next week, saying it is accountable to the Secretary of State for Transport and not elected councillors.

The report says the agency’s scoring system for trunk road maintenance does not adequately reflect Shropshire’s concerns.

It adds: “Until such times as the condition of the trunk roads is suitably addressed, the people of Shropshire will continue to suffer from poor service.

“The reputation of Shropshire County Council, the most recognised highways authority in Shropshire, is also being tarnished, as the public do not fully understand who is responsible for trunk roads.”

The agency’s refusal to attend a council economy and environment scrutiny panel meeting has annoyed Shirehall boss Carolyn Downs who has taken the matter up with agency chief executive Archie Robertson.

Mrs Downs says in a letter: “The request was made as there is increasing concern and frustration by people living in south Shropshire as to the very poor condition and maintenance of the A49 trunk road.

“I was very concerned and surprised therefore to learn that it is not Highways Agency policy to attend such meetings. In my opinion this is a wholly unsatisfactory state of affairs.

“Public money is used to fund trunk road maintenance and therefore the agency which spends this money should be accountable, even at a local level for its actions.”

Her letter is included with the report for the scrutiny panel meeting next Tuesday.