Call for utility firms to be fined for over running roadworks
CHAOS caused by road closures has led to calls for companies to face bigger fines for overrunning roadworks, and for councils to have more powers to control them.
Residents of Crowthorne complained of gridlock last month caused by multiple roadworks on and around Nine Mile Ride. Emergency repairs by South East Water on Old Wokingham Road overlapped with gasworks on Nine Mile Ride.
Now, two Bracknell Forest councillors want the government to give councils more powers to control and punish companies carrying out roadworks.
Conservative councillors Robert McLean and Tina McKenzie-Boyle said: “Residents and local businesses across the Borough have suffered travel chaos and inconvenience over the last few months, caused by a series roadworks.”
The pair want other councillors to agree that Bracknell Forest Council should pressure the government for more control.
The proposal says: “This council, working with our local MPs, will lobby central government for greater powers to better plan all but emergency works, and to issue higher penalties for those that over-run, in order to minimise disruption.”
Companies wanting to carry out roadworks usually need to apply for a permit from the local council responsible for highways before they go ahead. And councils can fine companies £2,500 for roadworks that overrun.
Although councils can set limits on how long roadworks should take place, and how much space they should take up, they can rarely block them. And utility companies are able to carry out emergency works without having to get a permit.
Addressing Crowthorne residents’ complaints last month, Bracknell Forest Council’s assistant director for highways and transport Neil Matthews said: “Councils have limited powers to refuse road work applications by utility companies as the permit rules are set by regulation.
“We do coordinate with neighbouring authorities to minimise disruption where we can, whilst balancing the potential loss of services to residents and businesses if this work is delayed.”
Wokingham Borough councillor Paul Fishwick – responsible for roads – said: “South East Water, as with all statutory utility companies, have powers to carry out emergency works on the highways without a permit being granted in advance.
“For all other works, permits must be applied for in advance, the lead in period depends on the length of the work and the potential disruption. We can, and do, apply conditions as to how works can be delivered but cannot outright refuse a legitimate permit application with due cause.”
Councillors McLean and McKenzie-Boyle did not say what greater powers councils should have to control roadworks.
Their proposal was debated at a full meeting of Bracknell Forest Council last night (Wednesday) after we had gone to press.