Investigation over business ‘posing as council highways team’ to get work

Senior Trading Standards Officer, Joanne Hocking, explained: “We’ve been made aware of a company who are allegedly misleading people into believing they are from ‘highways’ and offering to carry out resurfacing work such as tarmacking or repairing potholes.

“Residents should take care to research any company before agreeing to contract them for any work - in this case, especially if they are responsible for a community facility, or a town and parish council.”

Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “A highways officer, or one of our contractors, would never approach someone out of the blue and offer to do work for them. If you are ever unsure whether someone is working on behalf of the highways team, contact the council on 01522 552222 to confirm before agreeing to anything.”

A council spokesman said most of the recent incidents had been in the Sleaford area, but added that they believe the company has been operating across Lincolnshire.

If you think a business has broken the law or acted unfairly, you can report them to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.

Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call the consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.