Not a fine idea
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• The Association of Metropolitan Authorities has slammed transport secretary Cecil Parkinson's proposals to fine public utilities for roadwork delays.
The plan, which would be enforced by local authorities, could cost British Gas up to £ million a year and British Tel( com 21 million, if road work takes longer than arranged.
AMA assistant secretary PI Swann says the plan could en. courage utilities to make quidl shoddy road repairs to avoid fines. Swann predicts friction between local authorities and utilities if the proposals are accepted. The AMA has beer campaigning against temporar hole filling, which damages road structure.
Lane rental contracts alrea. used by the Department of Transport and its contractors could be the solution, says Swann. Under that scheme a utility would give work to a contractor, with an agreed tii penalty fine. Local authorities would not be involved and co tractors would be encourage( to do the work quickly, to an agreed standard.
However, Swann agrees with Parkinson's proposal flu a charge for obstructing road with items like skips should I introduced.