Gas work causes more disruption on London Road
Motorists in Bath were experiencing long delays on one of the city’s busiest roads this morning as roadworks combined with the start of the school term.
Contractors midway through 10 weeks of gas mains work have today opened up a section of London Road to the east of the junction with Cleveland Bridge.
Previously, the work which started at the beginning of last month, had been concentrated on the stretch of the A4 between Margaret’s Hill and the top of Walcot Street.
More than 360 metres of old metal gas pipes are being replaced with new plastic pipes.
It is part of gas distribution company Wales & West Utilities’ (WWU) multi-million pound, 30-year replacement programme across Wales and the South West.
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by Amanda, Bath
Friday, September 03 2010, 2:12PM
“I have been along this section of the A4 on many occasions and have not seen anyone actually working there. I would have thought that as the works are in such a difficult location it would be wise to get as many men/machines there and blitz it as quickly as possible and certainly fill in holes that have been finished with. Bus time-tables have been shot to pieces, even with the bus lanes.”
by Peter, Bath
Thursday, September 02 2010, 8:52PM
“What has concerned me has been the danger of the deep excavation just east of the bottom of Margaret's Hill and the limited amount of clearance left for outbound traffic. I watched a huge artic lorry squeeze past it this week and wondered how his wheels didn't fall into the hole. As for the problems caused to/by drivers trying to turn left at the bottom of the hill.......”
by Bath resident, Batheaston
Thursday, September 02 2010, 4:45PM
“This is ridiculous the works have to be done so just deal with it until they are finished!”
by GS Faulks, Batheaston
Thursday, September 02 2010, 2:37PM
“Sulis - Thanks for clearing up the authorisation question. Very helpful.
Now all that remains to be answered is... Was the work authorised while considering London Road "one of the city¿s busiest" when it is by far the most busy, most congested and polluted, at most times of the day, most days of the year, year after year?
Or did the utility company just start digging, regardless of environmental conditions because "they're not obliged to get permission from anyone"?”
by Sulis, Bath
Thursday, September 02 2010, 11:46AM
“No-one authorises the work. Utility companies have a statutory right "to excavate in the public highway for the purposes of installing or repairing apparatus". They're not obliged to get permission from anyone although local authorities have a limited role in co-ordinating work between different companies and checking that road surfaces were reinstated satisfactorily.
Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 "the utility company has to guarantee the restoration of the street to its original condition. This must be done within a period of two years, or three years if the excavation was over 1.5 metres deep, from the date they completed works. If a company fails to complete the restoration within this guarantee period then they must come back and re-do the area of the street".
Strangely enough, not everything is the fault of the Council.”