Roadworks Taskforce To Tackle Repair Woes

By Enda Brady, Sky Correspondent

Hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been wasted over the last two years as a result of poor repairs to roads dug up by contractors, according to the Local Government Association.

The latest research by the LGA estimates that the amount - £435m - would be enough to fill in the equivalent of eight million potholes.

A new taskforce - comprising councils, utility companies and business representatives - has been set up in the wake of a summit called by the LGA to try to reduce the cost and the disruption caused by roadworks across Britain.

"Most roadworks are essential and in many cases carried out efficiently and to a good standard," said Cllr Peter Box, chairman of the LGA's Economy and Transport Board.

"However, all too often the rush to get on to the next job leaves in its wake patches of shoddy resurfacing.

"Not only is the taxpayer left to foot the bill to do the resurfacing properly, it means needless frustration for motorists and thousands of pounds in lost trade for small businesses.

Some 20% of roadworks last year were considered not up to standard

"For many years people have been complaining about these problems, but very little has changed. Hopefully now that the councils, utility companies and businesses have agreed to work together something will be done so the disruption and frustration of motorists and traders is kept to a minimum."

The LGA's claims are based on research by the Asphalt Industry Alliance's Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (Alarm) surveys, carried out among highways departments.

Acoording to the Alarm 2013 report, 20% of contractors' work was not up to standard last year, meaning the jobs had to be redone properly at the expense of local councils, causing more disruption and delays. This was up 3% on 2011.

Problems can also be caused by the same stretch of road being dug up by different companies in quick succession, rather than carrying out the work in the same trench.

The new taskforce will aim to use new technology to better coordinate projects and monitor the contractors' performance.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Roadworks Taskforce To Tackle Repair Woes

Dengan url

http://gagalcoba.blogspot.com/2013/05/roadworks-taskforce-to-tackle-repair.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Roadworks Taskforce To Tackle Repair Woes

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Roadworks Taskforce To Tackle Repair Woes

sebagai sumbernya