Highways chief begins three-month pause on unnecessary roadworks
Staffordshire's new chief says the work will stop in already disrupted areas
Staffordshire’s new highways chief has announced a three-month freeze on new non-essential roadworks in areas already affected by disruption.
Emergency works will still go ahead, but Staffordshire County Council will be asking utility companies to reduce the time taken to carry out repairs, the new cabinet member for highways has said.
In an open letter to residents, Councillor Peter Mason said the authority would “refrain from adding new works to main roads in heavily disrupted areas unless it can be shown that it will not further impact these routes” for the next three months. This means some works will be delayed.
Councillor Mason added: “In recent weeks, I have seen lots of discussion on road repairs and utility works taking place across the county and the impact on daily routines. There are a high number of repairs currently active and planned, particularly in some of our towns.
“Since taking the role of Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways in mid-May, I have allowed planned works to progress while familiarising myself with the programme. However, it has become clear that the previous administration’s rush to spend additional government funding has seen some areas reach saturation point, and I have instructed changes to the way works are planned going forward.
“Emergency works such as water/gas leaks will still go ahead as these cannot be stopped – the authority will be asking utility companies to reduce how long they take in repairing them. In addition, specific urgent repair works to Corporation Street in Stafford has been approved to be completed in August during the school holidays.”
Roadworks in Stafford have been a bone of contention for drivers, businesses and residents for a number of years, with temporary traffic control systems leading to journey delays for many.
Councillor Ann Edgeller, who represents the south east of Stafford spoke out about disruption caused by non-county council works on the highways at the latest full county council meeting.
She asked: “What can be done about utilities coming in and putting traffic lights throughout Stafford – and probably throughout the county – and using their emergency powers to say it’s got to be done? I understand sometimes there are emergencies taking place, but this is causing absolute mayhem throughout the county.”
Stafford MP Leigh Ingham said on Friday she was “over the moon” following the county council announcement. She recently likened the county town to an “escape room” while speaking in Parliament while speaking about the disruption caused by roadworks.
On Friday she said: “I welcome a review of how they plan roadworks. It’s about time they got a grip of it.”
The authority’s ability to control works is limited by central government legislation, which permits highway, utility and third-party access to the network, Councillor Mason said. “Minor works” of up to three days require a minimum of three days’ notice, while standard works of up to 10 days need at least 10 days’ notice and major works must have 12 weeks’ notice – but no notice or permission is required for emergency works.
Councillor Mason said: “The expansion of companies providing broadband has also seen a significant increase in the installation of new apparatus in local roads often at short notice. Despite these timelines, we believe we have a case to amend or reject requests to carry out work when the network is unable to accommodate this work in some areas.
“We will propose a 12-week period between access requests and commencement for any future planned works. For emergency works, we will permit a 48-hour window initially and use fines to encourage compliance.
“The ultimate solution to these issues requires a revision of the current legislation to rebalance the powers more in favour of councils and by doing so the users of the network. This is for central government to action, and I will be lobbying and seeking the support of all Staffordshire MPs to take this forward and to get the changes needed.”