Cheshire East Council has 44,000 requests a year from utility companies to dig up roads, it has emerged.
But the authority has slowed down plans to introduce a scheme to speed up roadworks, insisting it must get it right.
Dear Editor,
I would like to raise a concern that I am sure many local road users will have noticed.
A utility company recently carried out works in our area, digging up several sections of road to repair underground pipes.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East is to drive ahead with plans to introduce a lane rental scheme to speed up utility firms that dig up roads to carry out repairs.
But local councillors, while welcoming the news, have hit out at the delays in getting the scheme up and running.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council looks set to consult on plans for a lane rental scheme which could see utility companies charged up to £2,500 ‘rent’ a day for digging up roads to carry out repairs.
The scheme, which has been trialled and operates in some areas in the south of England, allows highways authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy their busiest routes.
Dear Editor,
When utility company roadworks overrun, it’s motorists who pay the price with congestion, detours and longer journeys.
This is why I’ve announced a plan to crack down on works by utility companies overrunning.
Councillors in Willaston and Wistaston met with Roads Minister Richard Holden to air concerns about the state of local roads caused by utility works.
Mr Holden, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Roads & Local Transport) Department of Transport. met with Cllr Allen Gage (Willaston), Margaret Simon (Wistaston) and Janet Clowes (Wybunbury)
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Conservatives are proposing an amendment to the budget urging the council to develop a lane rental scheme to charge utility companies which dig up roads.
The suggestion was first put forward by group leader Janet Clowes (Wybunbury) at a meeting of the corporate policy committee.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Utility companies could be charged up to £2,500 “rent” a day for digging up roads to carry out repairs in Cheshire East.
That is one possibility Cheshire East Council is looking into to generate much-needed cash and to ensure the companies carry out the work speedily so roads can be re-opened quicker.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Utility firms failing to turn up for essential work added to delays to the A530 Middlewich Road closure and can’t be forced to pay compensation, a councillor has said.
Middlewich Road, which has been closed between Pyms Lane and Smithy Lane since May, was due to re-open this month.
Nantwich residents are being warned about delays and disruption in the town amid a host of road schemes and utility repair works over next few weeks.
Highways bosses at Cheshire East Council say they are taking steps to “minimise the impact on local events” such as Nantwich Food Festival.
Drivers across Cheshire East are being warned to expect more roadworks and delays as lockdown eases.
Authorities say they have received an increase in requests for roadworks from utility companies following the relaxing of lockdown measures.
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