23/01/04 - County Council takes Control over Roadwork Disruption

Today, Cumbria County Council’s South Lakeland Local Committee agreed to target resources at a problem that has regularly caused traffic delays and disruption to local people.  A new Roads and Street Works Act has given the Council responsibility for maintaining a register of roadworks carried out by gas, electric and water companies to ensure that work is co-ordinated to reduce disruption.  If Utilities work is not carried out on time, they will be fined and the money used for highways improvements.

County Councillor Ian Stewart, Chair of South Lakes Local Committee says,

“Increasing resources will enable a more pro-active approach to co-ordinating and controlling work carried out on our highways by the gas, electric and water companies.  This legislations also enables us to take action by fining Utilities when roadworks are not completed on schedule.

The additional funding will increase the level of monitoring activity, increase the legal resources available and create a Traffic manager post to ensure the co-ordination role is managed effectively.  I am very pleased that South Lakeland Local Committee has agreed to support this initiative and look forward to less delays and disruption on our roads in the future.”

Anyone with concerns about Utilities work, please call CumbriaCounty Council’s Highways Hotline on 0845 6096609