21 April 2011
Letter to the Evening Standard: Streetworks
Dear Sir
Street works in the capital can be a real nuisance, albeit, a
necessary one - and that is why the City of London Corporation
supports the Regional and Local Transport Minister in calling for
more local authorities to adopt the the use of road works
permitting schemes to help reduce the disruption caused by digging
up the roads. The City of London has already adopted the scheme
along with Transport for London and 17 London boroughs. We have
been using it since last year. The scheme requires utility
companies to apply for a permit before they start work and we have
noticed it has encouraged greater co-operation and co-ordination
between contractors and the local authorities here in the City.
Time is saved but, in my view, the time spent doing the work is
often still too long and needs to be challenged vigorously.
The City of London Corporation and a number of local authorities
are now considering the benefits of introducing lane rental, which
puts a price on the number of days used by contractors on a
particular street - but not, we hope, a cost which ends up being
passed onto customers.I would like to see Utilities adapting
signage to explain the nature and expected duration of their work
to road users and pedestrians, because I believe they have the
right to know the reasons for the disruption to their daily
journeys and when the disruption will end.
Finally, street works should mean that we see people working on
that street because unattended building sites in peak hours cause
extra frustration. As my City of London colleagues and I continue
to work on these issues, you can be assured that we will not rest
until they are resolved.
Yours faithfully
Stuart Fraser
Policy Chairman
City of London Corporation