YET again the poor motorist is going to have to suffer significant delays due to work by Southern Gas Networks.

We again get the usual platitudes from them ‘We’ll be doing all we can to minimise disruption’, yet they don’t work extended hours to complete the work more quickly because it would cost them more and mean less profits for their shareholders.

Roads were built to enable traffic to move about not for the benefit of the utility companies who contribute nothing to their upkeep. In fact the damage they do often has to be rectified by the Highway Authority.

Unfortunately, as I know from personal experience, the utilities have always had a very powerful lobby in Parliament and Parliament has bowed to their demands.

However the tide may be turning.

The government has just finished consulting on proposals to allow local authorities to charge utility companies by the hour to carry out works on selected routes, encouraging them to avoid busy roads and peak times, and incentivising them to join together when they do need to dig up busy roads.

Trials in London and Kent have already seen severe congestion caused by utility works fall by more than half.

Let’s hope that this time the government doesn’t give way to the utility lobby and brings in these powers.

Even if they do it will be too late for those of us who use Wallisdown Road and we will just have to put up with it.

R F COOPER

Laidlaw Close, Poole