This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Proposals to tackle disruption from roadworks
30/10/2003
Plans for new measures to tackle disruption from local
roadworks by utility companies were announced today.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen today outlined
proposals in The Regulation of Utility Company Roadworks
consultation paper which sets out two key approaches to
reduce traffic disruption.
The two proposals involve strengthening existing
legislation or introducing new primary legislation.
The first proposal suggests local authorities make use
of their powers in the Local Government in Scotland Act
2003 to better co-ordinate roadworks. This includes:
• Local authorities and utility companies working
more closely together to plan future roadworks as
effectively as possible.
• Local authorities reporting to communities on the
performance of utility roadworks and naming utilities that
fail to meet new roadworks performance targets.
Under the Act, local authorities are responsible for
co-ordinating the Community Planning process, engaging the
community and agencies in how public services in local
areas should be delivered.
The second proposal suggests new legislation to allow:
• Charging for the full period of roadworks and/or:
• Premium charges for peak-period roadworks and
sanctions for follow-up roadworks.
• Local authorities to invest revenue from charges to
improve roads infrastructure.
• The appointment of an independent arbitrator to
resolve disputes and to ban poorly performing utility
companies from carrying out roadworks at certain times, or
in certain areas.
Mr Stephen said:
"Local roadworks are an unavoidable inconvenience, but
poorly managed projects can cause unnecessary disruption
leading to extra traffic congestion that has a big impact
on the travelling public and business.
"A safe and reliable transport network keeps the economy
moving. This consultation paper sets out to tackle the
disruption utility company roadworks can cause.
"A partnership approach between local authorities and
the utility companies, with better co-ordination and
co-operation would be an important first step.
"However, Scottish Executive research shows utility
companies were responsible for 92 percent of roadworks in
Scotland in 2001. Of these, only 50 percent of inspected
roadworks were passed as of sufficient quality.
"We want views on what steps need to be taken to make
certain we have a road network that works as effectively as
possible. That means considering new legislation to reduce
the unnecessary congestion and disruption we all too often
suffer."
The consultation will close on Wednesday 20 January
2004. A new email address will also allow respondents a
direct say at (
transport@scotland.gsi.gov.uk).
Copies of the consultation paper The Regulation of Utility
Company Roadworks will be available on the Scottish
Executive website (
www.scotland.gov.uk).
Utility roadworks are currently regulated under the New
Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA), which became law in
1991. The Scottish Parliament is responsible for the NRSWA
as devolved legislation. Regulations and Codes of Practice,
which set out in detail how utilities roadworks should be
co-ordinated and completed are attached to NRSWA.
Under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, local
authorities have both a new duty to co-ordinate Community
Planning and a new power 'to advance well being'. The Act
requires local authorities to work in partnership with
other public bodies to ensure a strategic, joined-up
approach to delivering public services normally in the form
of a jointly outlined Community Plan.