Utility firms dig deep to cut shoddy repairs on city roads

UTILITY firms are reducing the number of shoddy repairs on the city's roads and pavements, according to new council figures.

Ninety-five per cent of repairs have passed council inspections so far this financial year, compared to 92 per cent in 2006/07.

Pass rates for inspections that measure the quality of surfaces put down by contractors have jumped from 58 per cent to 83 per cent this year.

Private companies such as Scotland Gas Networks and ScottishPower are responsible for most of the roadworks in the city.

In 2006, council leaders agreed with all utility firms to try to reduce the number of botched repairs.

City leaders today said the latest figures showed the agreement was beginning to make a difference.

The progress was today welcomed by motoring groups, but Councillor Ricky Henderson, the city's Labour transport spokesman, said there was no room for complacency.

He said: "This improvement is to be welcomed but I would like to see a bit more detail because we need to keep on top of this.

"It has been a long-running issue in Edinburgh, particularly with roads not being reinstated properly, and I don't think we are there yet."

Utility companies dig up the city's roads and pavements on average 31 times a day, resulting in about 27,000 holes each year.

There are more than 16 utility companies operating throughout Edinburgh, and they undertake around 11,500 jobs annually.

Council officials carry out more than 1600 repair inspections every year, with a further 600 meetings with contractors either on site or in their offices.

Bruce Young, Lothian and Borders co-ordinator of the Association of British Drivers, said: "I think it may take a while for these improvements to become visible to the average motorist because there are so many to sort out.

"Most of the problems in the city's roads do seem to come from repairs that have worn through."

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said the latest figures showed progress was being made.

He said: "Audits and inspections are recorded and

results are discussed at the agreement steering group meetings and remedial action determined.

"The partners respond very positively to concerns about signage, traffic management, time and quality."

In a report to the council, officials highlighted other areas where the utility firms are not doing as well. In a recent audit of roadworks information signs, 23 per cent of Scottish Water's sites did not have signs giving people information on works.

From April, the roadworks commissioner John Gooday will have the power to levy fines of up to £50,000 on utility firms that consistently flout their duty to co-operate with the council or do not co-ordinate the work with other utility companies.

• www.roadworksscotland.org