Road resurfaced... then National Grid dug it up again (From Essex County Standard)
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Road resurfaced... then National Grid dug it up again
3:00pm Saturday 1st September 2012 in News By Adam Cornell
Gas contractors digging in the newly-resurfaced road
RESIDENTS have voiced their frustration after their road was resurfaced and dug up again just three days later.
They say it is the second time in a few years the same mistake has been made at Malting Green Road, in Layer-de-la-Haye.
Highways staff from Essex County Council began working on the road on Thursday, August 23.
The work was delayed and residents claim potholes were not filled but just “gone over”.
Then, on Wednesday, part of the road was dug up again for a house gas supply to be installed.
Alison Condron, who lives on Malting Green Road, said: “Why did they resurface, when they knew about the gas work? It is astonishing and the road is still full of holes which they have just gone over.
“It is ridiculous. You would think they would have learned a lesson from the last time.”
Caroline White, who works at the village store, was also upset.
She said: “It’s rubbish. Customers are coming in and saying they haven’t even filled the potholes.
“I wasn’t surprised when I saw part of it being dug up again. The same thing happened before, because none of them know what the others are doing. It is par for the course in Malting Green Road.”
A spokesman for Essex County Council apologised for the inconvenience.
He said: “Surface dressing works in Malting Green Road had been scheduled for early August, but unfortunately the work was delayed due to wet weather.
“This work programme had been set prior to the council being informed by National Grid that emergency gas works were required and it was too short notice for the council to change its own schedule.
“It was necessary for National Grid to excavate the carriageway, as this was the most suitable procedure to resolve the emergency.
“Alternative methods would have required more equipment on site, which would have blocked the road and caused more disruption to motorists – but keeping Essex’s roads moving is important to us.”
