THE leader of Wiltshire Council has taken National Highways to task after temporary traffic lights were left up four days after "emergency repairs" were completed.
SGN discovered multiple gas leaks on Wilton Road, A36, and began carrying out repairs on Monday, August 26.
Read more: SGN: 'too early to say' how long gas leak works will last
National Highways, despite being responsible for the road's maintenance, was reportedly unaware that these repairs were taking place until it was informed by Wiltshire Council.
As the works were impacting Milestone's Fisherton Gateway project, Councillor Richard Clewer took it upon himself to liaise with SGN for updates on when the emergency works would be completed.
The works were finished on Thursday, September 5, but the traffic lights remained in operation until Monday, September 9.
"There has been a communication issue between SGN and their traffic management contractor meaning the lights have been left up unnecessarily since Thursday," said Cllr Clewer.
"This has highlighted a particular concern and frustration with National highways as to how they are managing emergency utility works on the A36.
"I seem to find myself consistently having to advise their road space team of significantly disruptive works on the A36 and there is not a proactive approach from National Highways to ensure that works are completed as quickly as possible."
Concerns have been raised about A36 operatives not manually operating traffic lights to alleviate traffic queues, but this "appears to fall on deaf ears" as no pressure has been put on SGN.
Cllr Clewer has called upon National Highways to address its "lack of proactiveness" and to have some consistency about how the A36 is managed.
He said: "Utilities companies are able to carry out their works, as required by law, but they are not being managed by national highways and as a result are leaving traffic management systems up far beyond the point at which they should be taken down.
"This is creating significant delays to the residents of Salisbury (and residents along the A36 towards Warminster) which are not necessary and needs to stop.
"This isn’t fair to residents of Salisbury and National Highways need to manage their roadworks better."
A spokesperson for National Highways confirmed that it does have the authority to impose penalties on utilities companies "if necessary".
They added: "Regulations stipulate that utility companies must notify National Highways with a ‘works stop’ notice when works are complete.
"For works to be classed as complete the company must have: Completed the interim or permanent reinstatement of the highway, removed all signing, lighting and guarding and all remaining spoil, unused material and other plant, returned the road fully to public use.
"Meanwhile, our inspectors travel the routes in question and, if we then become aware of any traffic management equipment left out unnecessarily, National Highways actively pursues the contractor to remove the equipment."
SGN was approached multiple times for a response.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel