Highways Agency: Contracting for Highways Maintenance - Public Accounts Committee Contents


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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