A HIGHWAYS chief says a new approach will aim to tackle disruption caused by local roadworks.
Cllr Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, says the authority will hold off on adding any new “non-essential” projects over the next three months unless it can be shown they will not further impact key routes.
He said the move was part of a wider project to change the way works on local roads are scheduled.
“Since taking on the role of cabinet member for highways, it is very clear to me that we need to do more to improve the condition of Staffordshire’s roads.
“This does come with inevitable disruption which is to be expected, but we must do everything we can to minimise this. This includes changing how we programme these works, so not so many are done at the same time.”
Emergency works such as water or gas leaks will still go ahead, but the authority will be asking utility companies to reduce how long they take in repairing them.
Cllr Mason said he also wanted to use fines to encourage compliance with rules by those carrying out highways repairs.
“A lot of works on Staffordshire’s roads are done by utility companies. With central government legislation prioritising utility works and third-party access to road networks, the county council is limited in its control of some works.
“Utility companies can and do often give very little notice of works, so we want to change this where possible.
“Ultimately, the solution to these issues is a revision of the current legislation, so powers are rebalanced in favour councils and road users. 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.”
