Hertfordshire to host summit on utility roadworks disruption

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 11:59 · Archive

Hertfordshire County Council is to host a summit bringing together MPs, councillors and utility companies to address concerns about road disruption from water, gas, electricity and telecoms works.

Hertfordshire County Council is to host a summit bringing together politicians and utility companies to address disruptions caused by roadworks on the county's roads. All 12 Hertfordshire MPs and representatives of each political group on the county council will be invited, alongside representatives of Affinity Water, Cadent Gas and UK Power Networks.

Water, sewage, electricity, gas and telecoms firms have a legal right to dig up public roads to install, repair or maintain supplies. However, concerns have been raised about several aspects of these works, including how long roads are closed, the quality of repairs to reinstate roads or footpaths, and the scheduling of repeated works by different utilities on the same stretch of road.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of Hertfordshire County Council's highways cabinet panel on Thursday, October 8, when Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, executive member for highways, agreed to host the summit. He said the council was 'looking at a round-table summit – not necessarily criticising the utility companies, but seeing how we can better work together'.

Possible topics for discussion include contractors starting work at 8am during the morning rush hour when permits should run from 9am, and whether contractors could work an extra hour on a particular day to avoid returning the next day. The summit could also examine how to keep residents better informed about why works barriers need to be in place, even when no obvious work is ongoing.

How it is being reported

• Leading Hertfordshire politicians to debate roadworks disruptionUtility works on Hertfordshire’s roads are to be put under the spotlight at a summit that aims to bring together MPs, councillors and companies.Hemel Gazette · 15 Oct, 11:49
• Hertfordshire utility works summit planned amid concerns over road disruptionUtility works on Hertfordshire’s roads are to be put under the spotlight at a summit that aims to bring together MPs, councillors and companies.Herts Advertiser · 15 Oct, 11:36
• Hertfordshire utility works summit planned amid concerns over road disruptionUtility works on Hertfordshire’s roads are to be put under the spotlight at a summit that aims to bring together MPs, councillors and companies.The Comet · 15 Oct, 11:36

In this story: Hertfordshire County Council · Affinity Water · Cadent Gas · UK Power Networks · Stephen Giles-Medhurst · Hertfordshire

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