Council Leader Andrew Sheldon Tackles Roadworks in Castle Point

Castle Point Council Leader Andrew Sheldon and Rebecca Harris MP met with Baroness Vere, Transport Minister for Roads, to raise their concerns about overrunning utility works in Castle Point and the effect this has on local residents.

At the meeting, the Transport Minister committed to reviewing the charges and fines guidelines for roadworks and the exceeding of permits to see if they remain appropriate and proportionate to the offences, following Cllr Sheldon’s suggestion.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps commented: “I am grateful that Councillor Sheldon raised this.  We will take a look at current fine levels to see if they remain appropriate and proportionate to the offences”

Cllr Sheldon was also grateful for the Government’s support of Essex County Council Highways for their Lane Rental Pilot. Lane rental schemes are designed to incentivise utility companies and their contractors to avoid setting up roadworks on the busiest roads at peak times. Lane rental is also designed to encourage utility companies to coordinate their works to avoid the same bit of road being dug up multiple times. Baroness Vere confirmed that if Essex County Council decides to go ahead and prepare a bid for a lane rental scheme, they can include key routes such as the one to Canvey Island if they decide it is traffic sensitive. Cllr Sheldon believes the expansion of this scheme would be very beneficial to cutting down unnecessary roadwork delays.