Gosport MP welcomes proposals to minimise roadwork disruptions

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage is in favour of the new rules, which would encourage seven-day working on roadworks, or see them lifted at weekends.

The aim is to stop roadworks being in place when no-one is working on them and could see councils and utility companies fined up to £5,000 a day if they don’t comply.

Ms Dinenage said the proposals, which are being considered by transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, would be great news for the people of Gosport who rely on the A32.

She said: ‘This is fantastic news for all the families and businesses in Gosport who rely on our local roads to get around. We all know the frustration of the disruption that roadworks can cause.

‘By encouraging seven-day working, or the lifting of works at weekends, these changes could help minimise the inconvenience we all face.

‘By taking action on roadworks, the Conservatives are ensuring that our roads are looked after and improved for the future, with fast, reliable journeys for the working people and businesses that depend on them.’

The proposals relate to A-roads and would see work continued over the weekend minimising the length of the project or the roadworks lifted until work is restarted.

There could also be charges when temporary traffic lights are left in place.

Cllr Sean Woodward, representative for transport at Hampshire County Council, has also welcomed the proposals but said there needs to be understanding when there are delays.

‘Sometimes there are delays that aren’t down to human error,’ he said.

‘If there are utility works and a road has been dug up, and something isn’t where it is supposed to be, that will cause delays.

‘The fines are a good way to act as a deterrent but there needs to be an understanding for some circumstances.

‘What is the point of one public body paying another some money?’

He added: ‘I think what really annoys motorists is seeing lots of cones and slow moving traffic and no-one working on the roads.

‘But we do work very hard as the highway authority to try and minimise when works are taking place on the roads we look after.’