Why aren't roadworks....
Discussion
...done at night where possible? Or better yet, double-shifted so there are teams working on them 24 hours solidly?
I've had the displeasure of being caught in traffic a couple of times this past week or so in the jams caused by the roadworks at the Basingstoke end of the A33 Basingstoke to Reading Road. Now this one couldn't have only been there at night as one lane has been fenced off for the duration, but having a night shift as well would have finished it a lot earlier.
I know it's a cost issue but I think I'd rather have half the repairs done if they they were done in half time? Or is that far too simplistic?
Genuine question.
I've had the displeasure of being caught in traffic a couple of times this past week or so in the jams caused by the roadworks at the Basingstoke end of the A33 Basingstoke to Reading Road. Now this one couldn't have only been there at night as one lane has been fenced off for the duration, but having a night shift as well would have finished it a lot earlier.
I know it's a cost issue but I think I'd rather have half the repairs done if they they were done in half time? Or is that far too simplistic?
Genuine question.
I disagree, working 24/7 is very expensive when you start having to pay night shift pay and employ twice as many people.
The main issue with roadworks is they are so ill-thought out in terms of when they are done compared to other roadworks.
Where I live there are 3 main ways into town, the amount of times they've dug up all 3 at the same time causing chaos is ridiculous, why not plan ahead and stagger it so the effect isn't compounded.
The main issue with roadworks is they are so ill-thought out in terms of when they are done compared to other roadworks.
Where I live there are 3 main ways into town, the amount of times they've dug up all 3 at the same time causing chaos is ridiculous, why not plan ahead and stagger it so the effect isn't compounded.
Because of cost, increased danger and the fact that it is not emergency work and gose on all year so there is no need to keep people working flat out. It may seem like a short term thing to you but these companys are working all year round. Even supermarkets don't work flat out 24/7 and they have no ethics at all.
Work is done overnight, but only when it is on a tight deadline or urgent. Otherwise why should people be put at the extra risk and pressure on family life?
As for the ill thought out, it is to do with the way they are done. Roadworks could be done by one of three groups, the local council for minor roads, the county for major roads (unless you have a unitary council) and the highways agency for motorways, some dule carage ways etc, plus there is the utilitys, who will be working with whoever owns the road, and the other groups. So, if the water company wants to dig up a road owned by the local council and the gas company finds a leak on an ajoining road owned by the highways agency it can look like its badly planned, but it is more to do with the complexity of the system. They do try and plan these things, but it is not always possible (i used to work for the highways dept of the local council many years ago, not on roads though).
Work is done overnight, but only when it is on a tight deadline or urgent. Otherwise why should people be put at the extra risk and pressure on family life?
As for the ill thought out, it is to do with the way they are done. Roadworks could be done by one of three groups, the local council for minor roads, the county for major roads (unless you have a unitary council) and the highways agency for motorways, some dule carage ways etc, plus there is the utilitys, who will be working with whoever owns the road, and the other groups. So, if the water company wants to dig up a road owned by the local council and the gas company finds a leak on an ajoining road owned by the highways agency it can look like its badly planned, but it is more to do with the complexity of the system. They do try and plan these things, but it is not always possible (i used to work for the highways dept of the local council many years ago, not on roads though).
Edited by PaulMoor on Saturday 17th March 18:11
Well you have a self perpetuating problem in the UK. No one ever slows down for the guys working on the roads. So they need to put up signs, cones - for miles, warning signs before you get there to tell you this, more paraphanalia to tick off the health & safety.
In other countries you will have a sign and then the van/truck the guys are working in front of it. Sometimes just the flashing yellow lights on the truck. So you slow down as you know there are punters there. They do their work and then move on. This past month most of the roads have had the winter pot holes filled by this method where I live. That would never happen in the UK as they would need to do the first method for every section they work on.
In other countries you will have a sign and then the van/truck the guys are working in front of it. Sometimes just the flashing yellow lights on the truck. So you slow down as you know there are punters there. They do their work and then move on. This past month most of the roads have had the winter pot holes filled by this method where I live. That would never happen in the UK as they would need to do the first method for every section they work on.
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