A new permit system designed to give better control over works by utility companies and highway contractors on the highway network is to be rolled out next month.
The permit scheme is a Department for Transport requirement for all local authorities from April 2020. Island residents and visitors should benefit from better-managed utility works and less disruption to the network.
The aim of the new system is to ensure better control and coordination of work on the public highway network.
Under the permit scheme, the onus will be on utility companies, and other works promoters to demonstrate the need for planned works and also give more details on what is envisaged, including traffic management arrangements.
In addition, all works promoters will have to demonstrate that there has been appropriate consultation around schemes that are predicted to have a high impact on road users.
Kevin Burton, Island Roads network manager, said:
“The whole aim of the scheme is to ensure works on the highway can be better controlled.
“It will enable the council to ensure works are co-ordinated and undertaken in a safe and expedient way, having given due regard to informing customers in advance of any predicted disruption.
Article continues below this advertisement “It will mean management of the network can be done in a more robust way with the end result that inconvenience to road users is kept to a minimum.”
Oh so will this stop that Wightfibre firm from digging up a dozen sporadic roads all at once in a fashion that your average clown would be ashamed of?
And not being funny but IslandRoads aren’t exactly the most organised when it comes to their own roadworks and bizarre diversions – so who watches the watchers then???
Yeah, but it only applies to ‘Planned’ works,..
so as long as they don’t do any planning, & just wait ’til something breaks (as they usually do)
it’ll all be emergency works, & so SNAFU
It won’t make any difference. I phoned Island Roads on Saturday about the huge tailback out of Whippingham because of lights with not a workman in sight all weekend but they knew nothing and did’t bother to get back to me. If they are informed and do nothing then pre-planning has no chance.
Worst culprits: ISLAND ROADS. So who are you to preach Mr Burton? Suggest you get out of the office and make sure your people put in a FULL DAYS WORK.
Good in theory, pity that it has been allowed to get so bad in the first place, only time will tell.