A Dumbarton councillor is calling for more to be done to prevent traffic chaos caused by utility firms.
Labour’s David McBride will put forward a motion to this week’s full meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council which calls for a protocol to be introduced that will minimise traffic management measures, ensure that work takes place every day that roadworks are in place to minimise disruption and examines the impact on existing traffic lights and junctions.
He says he was forced to act following more works on Cardross Road, disrupting the journeys of thousands in areas like Brucehill, Castlehill and Westcliff.
Councillor McBride’s motion reads: “This council is extremely concerned about the emergency works by utility companies and the effects this has on the traffic on our local road networks.
“Whilst emergency work by its very nature, is necessary and can have limited planning time, the utility companies need to ensure there is effective management of emergency works so that they can react to traffic congestion throughout the period of the emergency work.
“Cardross Road in Dumbarton is a vital artery road which is the only road available for thousands of residents in Dumbarton West to get to and from their home.
“Over the last three years, there have been at least twelve occasions, where Cardross Road was subject to emergency work by utility companies.
“The most recent emergency works in February, March and again in April, resulted in traffic chaos. Over the recent Easter holiday weekend, the Scottish Power emergency works, caused gridlock over the busy holiday weekend affecting local residents and holiday traffic.
“From an elected member’s perspective, there appears to be limited engagement by utilities, this leads to ineffective traffic management plans and often no flexibility during the work, even when it is perfectly clear the traffic management arrangements are failing. In addition, the utility companies contractors have failed to provide staff for specific traffic management duties.
“There appears to be no effective communication channels outside of normal working hours, to cater for when utility companies are carrying out emergency or planned works.”
His motion continues saying that the council will “ask the Chief Officer for Roads & Neighbourhood Services to draft a Road Works Protocol for Traffic Sensitive Locations, in line with the Coordination of Road Works Code of Practice, to be agreed with utilities, when works are proposed in these locations to ensure awareness of responsibilities.”
It adds: “This protocol should be applied for any road works which have to be undertaken on our defined traffic sensitive locations and should incorporate protocols for emergency works.
“The protocol should take into account: minimal traffic management proposals, discussions on how this will work in tandem with traffic lights in nearby junctions, communication channels throughout the works; and an assurance that work will take place every day of the traffic management to ensure the length of disruption is minimised.
“The protocol should also include the escalation, intervention and enforcement process where Statutory Undertakers fail to deliver agreed mitigation measures to minimise traffic disruption.”
Members will discuss the motion this afternoon (April 26).
