UNEXPECTED cable work carried out by Scottish and Southern Electricity has resulted in a clash of two major projects in Christchurch, causing lengthy delays for drivers.

Wessex Water engineers are carrying out scheduled sewer repairs along the A35 Barrack Road.

However, extensive work started by SSE at the junction between Matchams Road and Avon Causeway, contrary to their original agreement with BCP Council, has resulted in a three-way traffic signal and major disruption.

Councillor Andy Hadley, the council's portfolio holder for transport, said: “There will be some work by Wessex Water at Barrack Road this week. These works were initially programmed before Christmas, but were postponed until now to minimise impact on the public.

“The works are to facilitate a new access point to clean the sewer, so this needs to go ahead without further delay or the sewer will become blocked.

“There are also roadworks by SSEN (Electric) at Matchams Lane. The residents were informed of the planned shutdown in the weeks prior to these works taking place.

"The work proposed and agreed by BCP Council was for electrical work and involved minimal traffic disruption within Greywell outside Hurn Post Office.

“However, contrary to our agreement, SSEN have commenced work at the busy junction of Matchams Lane and Avon Causeway with a three way traffic signal. This work has not been agreed by us, as it is likely to cause major traffic disruption.

“We will be taking the strongest possible action against SSEN and to resolve the matter as soon as possible.”

Such disturbances could be quashed under the council’s proposed Street Works Permit Scheme, which forces utility companies and stakeholders to apply for a permit in order to carry out planned works, rather than the current system which allows utilities companies to carrying out proposed work and inform the council when it will be done.

Temporary traffic lights are in place in Barrack Road, near the junction with Jumpers Road, due to the sewer repair work. Wessex Water says the work will be completed by Friday.

A spokesman said: “We are carrying out essential sewer repairs, with the closure of Jumpers Road and two-way traffic lights on Barrack Road necessary for the safety of road users and our repair team. We’re sorry for any delays or inconvenience caused by this work, which is due to be completed by Friday.”

With both works being carried out on popular routes during the same week, residents of Burton and Christchurch have been left with little alternative than to bear the long queues and inevitable delays.

Cllr Simon McCormack, ward councillor for Burton and Grange, said that the problem may be due to the recent merging of the BCP Council.

He said: “I think this comes down to the local government reorganisation as they now have a new highways team that are not familiar with the road layout of Christchurch.

“When they told me there would be a new highways team, I expected there to be some issues while they were getting used to how the road systems worked in the Christchurch area.

"The only thing I can do is apologise to the residents of Christchurch and Burton, the new team will take it on board and take it into consideration when work is to be carried out in the future.”

A spokesman from Scottish and Southern Electricity said: “Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is working on the electricity infrastructure in its Wessex region to remove a small section of overhead cable.

“These works will see the cable undergrounded to prevent issues of nearby trees touching the lines, which can increase the risk of power cuts to customers.

“To ensure the safety of our engineers, road users and pedestrians and a temporary traffic management system is in place on a section of road between Christchurch and Bournemouth and is expected to be removed when the works are completed on January 17, 2020.”