FED-UP DRIVERS GRIND TO HALT
Spate of roadworks causing chaos
The minimum utility companies need to rip up Scotland’s roads and cause potential traffic chaos is a notice in a website most people do not know about, the Reformer can reveal.
Motorists in Rutherglen have endured a miserable year due to roadworks that have led to lengthy delays.
Recent works carried out in close proximity in the town and in the south of Glasgow, meant the streets were lined with frustrated commuters during rush hour.
And in a special investigation the Reformer can reveal the minimum requirements for works is the placement of a notice on the Scottish road work’s register. This will update the Scottish road works commissioner’s (SRWC) website.
The town’s Glasgow Road was reduced to one lane at the Shawfield race track with a three-way light system in place on February 6, due to a reinforcement project in Polmadie.
The company behind the works, Scottish Power, spoke with local council bosses and have since agreed to only have the lights in place between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
Scottish Water works on Stonelaw Road meant motorists could not find an alternative route.
And the problem has been made worse by the closure of Aikenhead Road in King’s Park, Glasgow, due to more Scottish Water works.
There was also major disruption to commuters in the wake of the Cambuslang Road closure last year.
And motorists in Cambuslang are set to suffer yet more as a section of Westburn Drive will be closed for one week by Scottish Water, with one lane open southbound on Clydeford Road for approximately three weeks.
Representatives from the SRWC meet regularly with the road works community. However, it is for the roads authorities concerned, in this case Glasgow City Council and South Lanarkshire Council, to decide on how works are co-ordinated.
A spokesman said the SRWC does not get
involved in specific road works but added: “The minimum requirements for works is the placement of a ‘notice’ on the Scottish road works register which will update the SRWC’s public facing website, which provides details for the public.
“However, sometimes an agreement can be made between parties to undertake additional publicity such as letter drops or advanced warning signs at the location of the works.
“Utility companies meet regularly with roads authorities across Scotland who are responsible for co-ordination of road works.
“The SRWC monitors performance, promotes and encourages good practice across both utility companies and roads authorities.
“The commissioner also has powers to impose financial penalties on roads authorities who systematically fail in their duty to co-ordinate and upon utility companies who systematically fail to co-operate when undertaking roadworks.”
According to the Scottish Government, local authorities and utilities have statutory duties to co-ordinate and co-operate with each other in the planning and coordination of road works.
But local road authorities and Transport Scotland has powers to inspect works to ensure that utility companies are meeting their obligations.
A Scottish Water spokeswoman insisted they liaise with road authorities when planning their projects and any road traffic management that is required.
She continued: “All work carried out by Scottish Water is undertaken to maintain and improve our infrastructure, and ultimately the service we provide to our customers.
“We always aim to do so as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible and in a way which causes the least amount of disruption possible for communities.
“Scottish Water social media channels, our website, press releases, community information events, direct mail, and signage ensure the public are kept up-to-date with what’s happening as projects are under way.
“If unforeseen issues with road traffic arrangements become apparent on a project, we look at making necessary changes to help minimise disruption.”