Preventing roadworks delay

Under a new law, the Council now has additional powers to prevent unnecessary delays to roadworks.

With new powers under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005, the Council may now issue utility companies with £120 penalties each time they fail to meet their duties set by the Council.

Although this is the maximum we can impose, if they persistently fail to comply, then we may report them to the national Roadworks Commissioner, who can issue fines up to £50,000.

On average, one in every five road reinstatements by utility companies fails within the two-year inspection period. Monitoring this work costs the Council about £300,000 per year.

The Edinburgh Road Works Ahead Agreement started on a voluntary basis in 2007, working with utility companies to minimise disruption caused by road works, improve the quality of reinstatement works and to make sure the public is informed of works.

But until the change to the Transport Act, the Council had very limited powers to manage the utility companies, which are responsible for the majority of city roadworks.

Many of you have told us that roadworks need better co-ordination, better signposting and completion on time – and we agree.

For most of our planned works, there is advance publicity of works to local residents and businesses – we alert local media and display information boards on site.

We are building up our team to better co-ordinate roadworks and reduce disruption.

GOOD TO KNOW: The Council has a map-based database to co-ordinate all roadworks and hold regular meetings with utility company representatives. But, under law, we must allow utility companies to perform emergency work