A group of London authorities, including Transport for London (TfL) and the City of London, has applied to the Department for Transport for permission to implement a new permit scheme to regulate roadworks in the capital.
The London Permit Scheme, which opened for consultation in March, regulate street works and ensure companies digging up roads minimise disruption to the public and other road users.
A statement issued by TfL yesterday said the consultation process has led to the inclusion of requirements that utilities and other companies digging up roads take into consideration the needs of visually impaired and other disabled pedestrians.
If the scheme is given the go-ahead by the Department for Transport, companies wanting to carry out work expected to last 11 days or more will need to give three months notice. In emergencies companies will need to make a permit application within two working hours of the start of work.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “Londoners are tired of sitting in jams caused by traffic being funnelled through a slalom course of cones and temporary fencing, which often seem to be cordoning off nothing but abandoned equipment. When companies dig up our roads they must be mindful of the disruption they are causing and keep it to an absolute minimum.
Local authorities taking part in the scheme are: City of London, Westminster City Council, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Redbridge and Wandsworth.
peter leach says
July 29, 2009 at 11:25 amWhy do contractors always leave minor roadworks with temporary traffic lights in place over the weekend disrupting traffic into the following week rather than consider it a priority to get the job done as quickly as possible? Answer: No overtime, no co-ordination and no money except for contractor extended hours!
Conclusion: False economy due to public workforce time loss!
TawkinSenz says
July 30, 2009 at 2:22 pm…of course you know where this wil lead….
Utility companies will use this permit scheme as an excuse for raising prices and the reason for delays to repairs and installations.
I think it’s discgraceful that in modern London the same piece of road can be dug up 5 times in 6 months by various companies.
It’s also disgraceful that as soon as the school holidays start it becomes open season on road works. I realise that during these times the traffic shoule be lighter – but that’s only because all the parents aren’t driving their ‘orrible little off-spring to school every morning.
The result is that people who drive or get a bus to work have to suffer bad traffic all year round – not even the usual out-of-term respite
Once again the truly productive people of this world take a back seat so the wasteful ones can get on with uninterrupted wasting.