Utility companies must work with more co-ordination

Local MP Tim Farron has launched a push to get utility companies to work with more co-ordination following news that Transco will be digging up Stricklandgate in Kendal so soon after the new pedestrian priority scheme has been completed. Cumbria County Council had tried to find out if any work was planned, but only found out about Transco's plans once the scheme was finished.

Tim has put down a motion in Parliament calling for local authorities to be given more powers to effectively co-ordinate work by utility companies - currently local authorities have very limited powers to direct, co-ordinate and manage the disruption caused by these works.

Speaking after submitting his motion, Tim said: "Clearly our utility companies need to be able to get at their pipes and cables for maintenance. However, all too often one company comes and digs the road up just weeks after another - and local authorities find it very difficult to co-ordinate their road works with the plans of the utility companies.

"I'm hoping that my motion will highlight the issues faced by those trying to co-ordinate this work, and lead to new powers that local authorities desperately need."

The full text of Tim's Parliamentary Motion is as follows:

Notes with concern that too often roads and pavements are dug up by various utility companies with little or no coordination; recognises the frustration this causes for local residents and businesses; laments the limited powers given to local authorities to direct, coordinate and manage this disruption; calls upon the Government to invest local authorities with the necessary powers to effectively coordinate the digging up of roads and pavements by utility companies.