Council accused of being 'unable to manage roadworks' after multiple road closures'
Bristol Live readers have heard that South Gloucestershire Council has denied breaching regulations when closing roads in Bradley Stoke for essential maintenance. Bradley Stoke Way is one of several council-managed routes to face partial closure during the summer.
The A38 Gloucester Road flyover and the A4174 Ring Road at the Coldharbour Lane junction in Filton have also been shut to traffic for weeks. Some drivers say their commutes have tripled in length as a result.
The disruption from multiple closures prompted Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Claire Hazelgrove to contact the council on August 5, urging better coordination. The next day, the council issued a public apology, admitting the impact of the flyover closure had been “even worse than expected”.
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A Bradley Stoke resident has since claimed the council mishandled the timing of major projects and failed to follow proper procedures for the Bradley Stoke works. The council has rejected that accusation, insisting they have not been “caught red handed”.
“We have been in correspondence with a resident who has raised some questions about the processes we have followed in making the legal orders to close roads and put diversions in place,” a spokesperson said.
“We have and will continue to follow the appropriate processes to make sure these schemes are delivered, and to give people advance notice so they can plan their journeys.”
The council acknowledged the disruption caused by the closures but argued summer remains the most suitable time for large-scale works. “We accept that the closures continue to cause disruption and that the quantity of roadworks currently in place on various parts of the network can and do have a knock-on effect for drivers,” the spokesperson said. “However, the summer months do present the best opportunity to undertake major roadwork schemes.”
Commenter Df1969 says: “I don't think anyone can argue that the flyover needs doing. However, to time it concurrently with ongoing A4174 and Bradley Stoke Way roadworks is plainly incompetent. As others have pointed out, the lack of a physical presence of workers at the flyover, especially at weekends, just adds to drivers' frustration. If SGC were serious about minimising disruption, work would be ongoing 24/7.”
Evening agrees: “SGC is simply unable to manage roadworks, I drive past the endless A4174 roadworks daily, and there is hardly anyone working. They honestly need investigating.”
Departed points out: “The company doing the roadworks would have tendered for the job and agreed a price and a programme of works. If this overruns then the council will be due damages. Just because someone isn't working when you drive past does not mean the project isn't running on schedule."
Peterbed is sceptical: “That is if SGC has bothered to put that in the contract, a lot of these schemes these days work overruns and the contractor asks and gets more money from the council to complete projects.”
Grockel1 agrees: “The road works in the northern fringe trebles the commuting time whatever mode of transport you use. Same with the A38 roadworks from Almondsbury to Thornbury - very little action during the day and sometimes create chaos as the temporary lights have been removed at Hortham Lane without the other ones in place/working. Turning right into/out of Hortham Lane was impossible.”
GasLee wonders: “Does the weather really allow the works to progress? So why don't they start work until 10m and finish by 3pm? If they actually worked a full day the work would be finished! And what are all the half finished bits about? Why not just finish it and move on? The bottom end of Bradley Stoke way has been half finished for 6 months?”
The viceroy replies: “It seems like the current administration is so inept at planning that they instigate major roadworks at locations all around the city at the same time! Not really joined up is it?”
Culturalattache thinks: “It is considerate of the council to consider the plight of the drivers by reducing the overall disruption and delivering an improved road network. That's got to be good for everyone?”
Inner agrees: “Do people not want the roads to be repaired? Better to do it now than wait for the schools, colleges and university to open.”
Have the roadworks impacted you? What do you think the solution to the disruption is? Have your say in the comments below.