Task force calls for action on roadworks issues

Ministers are being urged to make changes to reduce the impact of major infrastructure projects and emergency utility works in Surrey.

Surrey County Council (SCC), National Highways and six utility providers have written to the Department for Transport (DfT) about improving the digital service used across England to manage roadworks.

The Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, Dr Ben Spencer, has also introduced a bill in Parliament about disruption on road and rail transport networks.

The DfT said it was holding local authorities to account on their road maintenance projects to reduce disruption for drivers.

In July last year, a task force involving representatives from water, energy and telecoms firms was set up to improve the coordination and communication of works.

Now, in a letter to the Department for Transport (DfT), Cadent Gas, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), Affinity Water, SES Water, South East Water and Virgin Media, alongside SCC and National Highways, have called for changes to make it easier for organisations to share advanced warning of emergency works.

SCC has also proposed other improvements, including an independent roadworks commissioner, mandatory signs to explain delays due to works, and the impact on walkers and cyclists to be considered.

Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth at SCC, said: "Utility companies' demands in Surrey are amongst the top five highest in the UK with 88 works starting every day in the last 12 months.

"Whilst we recognise that works on the highway carried out by utility companies are necessary, these works are all too often impacting negatively on Surrey road users."

Meanwhile, Spencer's bill calls for a duty on transport authorities and other relevant parties to cooperate more effectively.

The MP said he wanted to try to avoid problems caused when major infrastructure projects, such as works at the M25/A3 junction, happen at the same time as railway closures and utility company roadworks near diversion routes.

"Despite the ongoing efforts to improve our transport infrastructure, the continued disruption in Runnymede and Weybridge is simply unacceptable, and I'm sure this is a situation being replicated across the country," he said.

"It is costing our economy millions in terms of lost work hours and goods delayed in transit, and I am calling on the government to take action."

A DfT spokesperson said the government had increased fines and charges for utility companies for when works overrun or if they fail to leave roads in a good condition.

"As well as this, local authorities already have a range of powers to help them coordinate their roadworks efficiently and advanced notice of live and planned roadworks," they said.

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