Copy of letter from Highways Agency to
Mr David Curry
HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE
At yesterday's hearing into road maintenance
contracting David Curry asked me about the reason for roadworks
on the A1 in the Doncaster area. I am sorry that I was not able
to answer Mr Curry's question at the hearing—primarily because
I did not make the geographic link between the area described
and our improvement project that stretches from Peterborough to
Blyth. I am therefore writing to give the Committee an explanation
of those roadworks.
The roundabout at Blyth was one of six that we have
replaced with grade separated junctions over the last two years.
Work at Blyth was completed approximately 18 months ago, and the
whole scheme was completed and opened to traffic last month.
Unfortunately, on 18 August this year there
was a road traffic accident at the Blyth junction which involved
a tanker of turpentine. There was extensive leakage from the tanker,
and then a fire. The outcomes of this incident was fire damage
to the road surfacing, and more significantly, to the newly installed
drainage system. The roadworks that David Curry has experienced
are the extensive work necessary to replace that drainage system.
As highways authority, the Highways Agency pays
for this work to be done. We then seek to recover the cost of
the work in full from the insurers of the vehicles involved.
I hope that this adequately describes the background
to the roadworks at Blyth. I will write to you in a few days with
a further note covering leading maintenance contracts and contractor
safety records.
Graham Dalton
Chief Executive
3 November 2009
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