Being able to ‘manage’ road works will help keep traffic moving better on our roads says Cllr Joanna Wright – cabinet member for Transport Services withBath & North East Somerset Council.
The authority has started consultation with utility companies today (16 September) on a proposed system to give it more control over roadworks and reduce inconvenience to road users.
Feedback is being invited on the street works permit scheme which has the aim of giving the council greater powers over road works that are booked, such as the hours in which they operate and the use of temporary traffic lights on busier roads.
Although the scheme applies equally to the council’s own highway works, comments are being sought from utility companies because of the impact it will have on the way they plan and undertake their road works.
Councillor Joanna Wright, cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “We all recognise that road works have to take place for important reasons, but it can still cause frustration and delay our journeys. Introducing a street works permit scheme will allow road space to be booked in a more streamlined way to benefit all organisations and will provide improved information for road users. This scheme would give us additional tools to manage the works effectively and help keep everyone moving on the roads of Bath & North East Somerset.“
After taking into account feedback from utility companies, the scheme is anticipated to begin in Spring 2020.
The link to the consultation is www.bathnes.gov.uk/streetpermit
More information about how Bath & North East Somerset Council manages roadworks can be found at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/streets-and-highway-maintenance/roadworks
Meanwhile, the council is now issuing fortnightly lists of scheduled roadworks to warn road users of potential disruption. The list is regularly updated.
You can also follow the authority on @BATHNESHighways and @bathnes on Twitter for notices and alerts or visit www.roadworks.org to see details of planned works near you.
Please note that information on third-party works is provided by outside sources and reproduced here to the best of our knowledge.
| Where | When | What |
| A3062 Frome Road, Odd Down | 15 September to 19 September | Utility works
Temporary two way signals will be in place for connection works by Wales & West Utilities |
| A362 Frome Road, Radstock | 16 September to 23 September | Highway drainage improvement works. Lane closure (towards County Bridge) with diversion via The St. |
| B3115 Hayeswood Road, Timsbury | 16 September OR 17 September | Road marking
Off peak road closure for lining works; one day only (weather dependent) |
| Stowey Road, Clutton | 16 September OR 17 September | Road marking
Off peak road closure for lining works; one day only (weather dependent) |
Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “We know roadworks can cause disruption but are necessary for the maintenance of the network as well as for essential utility works to be carried out and we thank you for your patience when these are underway.
“We want to ensure that people know about the works in time and details of planned roadworks can always be found at www.roadworks.org. To inform people further, our fortnightly list highlights the more significant schemes that will impact on road users. I am also encouraging people to follow @BATHNESHighways on Twitter for notices and alerts about roadworks.
“If more people are aware of planned works they can organise their trips to try and avoid unnecessary congestion, or choose to walk, cycle or use the bus instead which helps improve air quality, is better for the environment and eases the pressure on our road network.”
I hope this scheme may enable various road schemes in Bath not to come into conflict, as has happened in the past. For example, the road markings carefully painted onto Lansdown Rd a few years ago, which lasted just 6 weeks or so before they made way for a new zebra crossing in the same place.