Monday 09 December 2013
Media enquiry from Luke Richardson, Guernsey Press:
Following the announcement in the change in Environment's road closure policy, can I please ask the following:
What assessment is made to ensure that emergency road closures are real emergencies and not just companies trying to shortcut the system?
Where is Environment in its decision on whether or not to charge companies for road closures?
Environment Department's response:
What assessment is made to ensure that emergency road closures are real emergencies and not just companies trying to shortcut the system?
Obviously, in many circumstances, the need for emergency traffic management and closures are clearly evident i.e. in cases such as a burst water main, where there is a strong smell of gas, a fallen tree, damaged earth bank, collapsed sewer, damaged road surface / dangerous pot holes etc. However, in other cases, such as when electricity or telephone cable faults occur, the Department has to trust, to some degree, that the contractor is genuinely carrying out emergency works. After all, it it unlikely that contractors will arrange for extra resources to be brought in, often at anti-social hours on overtime, to deal with an emergency if it was not genuine.
However, having said that if the Department is in any doubt that it is not a genuine emergency then its staff will further investigate the precise nature of the works by requesting confirmation of the number of properties without a utility supply, asking for details of the size of excavation and carrying out site visits. Also, the Department will be aware of natural peaks fro emergencies, which are often weather related i.e. following high winds, high rainfall or periods of cold weather.
For the purpose of roadworks co-ordination, an "emergency" is considered to be when there is a serious situation that requires urgent attention to prevent a danger to people or to prevent damage being caused to property/vehicles. It also includes any failure/loss of a utility service, when the service company considers that maintaining its service is essential.
Where is Environment in its decision on whether or not to charge companies for road closures?
The matter of roadworks charging has recently been under active discussion at Board level with legal and process implications being considered. Only once those issues have been fully explored will the Department be in a position to confirm its intentions and discuss the proposals with the contractors.
ENDS
