Discussion
As per normal because its a highways contract the authorities do not give a tinkers cuss about the delays and problems caused by this type of work.
I work in utilities and engineering which involve street works.
If this was your average pipe laying contract the utility company and the contractor would
penalised and fined big time, with work often done under lane rental scheme plus in some instances 7 days 24 hour working.
And subject to constant inspection by council jobsworths who have even issued penalty notice for such things as a missing sign, cones being moved by third parties and even a minor mistake on the street works site notice.
Last year one of my clients incurred a fine from Lambeth Council for commencing work on site at 05:30 and making noise before the 08:00 license as it was residential area.
The noise was the result of thieving scum opening the steel heras fencing and cutting the lock from a towable road compressor and stealing it. (they did close the safety fence back up afterwards.)
Only yesterday in Kensington SW3 we had to wait for the best part of six hours before lifting access covers in a minor side street to carry out a 2 hour operation, as the council highways guy had been away for a week so the traffic management plan could be approved until 13:30hrs
They took our money for the 8 suspended parking bays however and towed away offending vehicles
within an hour of our arrival in the morning.
The client is considering a claim for the delay which will be in the region of 3k.
You cant make this up, total incompetence.
Then to cap it off when about to clear site and leave another council highways inspector arrives to claim we are working without notice and starts to photograph everything.
He soon buggered off when I staring taking his photo as he was not wearing any ID or the required
Hi-Vis PPE plus parked his car in a bay without displaying a valid ticket or pass.
This my friend is where your hard earned council tax and VED is being spent.
As for the lack of progress don't get me started on overrunning street works.
Shall we kick off with the M3 then FFS that could all have been done in 12 months.
I work in utilities and engineering which involve street works.
If this was your average pipe laying contract the utility company and the contractor would
penalised and fined big time, with work often done under lane rental scheme plus in some instances 7 days 24 hour working.
And subject to constant inspection by council jobsworths who have even issued penalty notice for such things as a missing sign, cones being moved by third parties and even a minor mistake on the street works site notice.
Last year one of my clients incurred a fine from Lambeth Council for commencing work on site at 05:30 and making noise before the 08:00 license as it was residential area.
The noise was the result of thieving scum opening the steel heras fencing and cutting the lock from a towable road compressor and stealing it. (they did close the safety fence back up afterwards.)
Only yesterday in Kensington SW3 we had to wait for the best part of six hours before lifting access covers in a minor side street to carry out a 2 hour operation, as the council highways guy had been away for a week so the traffic management plan could be approved until 13:30hrs
They took our money for the 8 suspended parking bays however and towed away offending vehicles
within an hour of our arrival in the morning.
The client is considering a claim for the delay which will be in the region of 3k.
You cant make this up, total incompetence.
Then to cap it off when about to clear site and leave another council highways inspector arrives to claim we are working without notice and starts to photograph everything.
He soon buggered off when I staring taking his photo as he was not wearing any ID or the required
Hi-Vis PPE plus parked his car in a bay without displaying a valid ticket or pass.
This my friend is where your hard earned council tax and VED is being spent.
As for the lack of progress don't get me started on overrunning street works.
Shall we kick off with the M3 then FFS that could all have been done in 12 months.
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