TRAFFIC CHAOS
Dozens of roadworks to cause more misery
Drivers will be left hot and bothered this week – as Hamilton is set to face 35 sets of roadworks.
Between resurfacing works, gas-pipe replacement and waterworks, motorists can expect multiple delays across the town.
South Lanarkshire Council explained that roadworks tend to be carried out during the school summer holidays as “peak time traffic volumes are generally reduced” in order to cause as little disruptions as possible.
The repair schedule has also been impacted by the damage caused by the ‘Beast from the East’ earlier in the year.
Drivers in Hamilton are being plagued with traffic problems as the town faces 35 different sets of roadworks this week.
The statistics come from the Scottish Road Works Commissioner – an independent public body that is accountable to the Scottish Ministers and ultimately the Scottish Parliament.
The Commissioner’s aim is to improve the planning, co-ordination and quality of road works throughout Scotland.
A detailed map of all roadworks on their website gives an insight to exactly how many are going on at present in each town and who the work is being carried out by.
And 35 different sets of roadworks are giving Hamilton drivers an extreme headache.
One of the main disruptions is part of an ongoing project by SGN. They will start the second stage of work in the St Ninian’s Road area this week, in order to upgrade the gas network.
The work is part of a £118,000 investment to replace old gas mains and services with new plastic pipe in a bid to ensure “continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area”.
Silvertonhill Avenue will also be completely closed between Johnstone Road and Chatelherault Crescent until Friday, July 13, for resurfacing work. Local access will be permitted where possible during the closure.
Larkhall will be affected by 18 sets of roadworks, Uddingston by 12 and Blantyre 14.
Gordon Mackay, head of Roads and Transportation for the council, said: “South Lanarkshire Council has no control over the number of road works recorded in the Scottish Road Works Register, as these works can be registered by all utility companies as well as Road Authority and Trunk Road operators.
“The council has a duty to coordinate planned road works within its road network.
“The summer months, and in particular the school-holiday period, can see an increase in works as peak time traffic volumes are generally
reduced.”
A spokesperson for SGN said: “We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. However, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years.
“This means that when the work is complete, Hamilton residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.
“We always aim to minimise disruption and we will make every effort to ensure our works are completed as soon as possible.
“If you have any questions about this project, please call Project Manager John Gilluley on 07805 766350 during office hours (8am4pm), or call our customer service team on 0800 912 1700 outside these times.”