please empty your brain below
Regarding the serious over-over-over-estimate, this is absolutely standard practice by councils and is pretty much always specified. It is not unusual to see a six month long order for works estimated to last for one day.

I think six months is the maximum that they can make the order valid for.

Pedantic of Purley | 22.02.25 - 7:11 a.m. | #

There were some major roadworks in my neck of the woods (Even made the BBC a few times!) They officially finished summer last year. This week they got round to completing the painting of the road markings.

Jon Jones | 22.02.25 - 8:04 a.m. | #

I always cynically thought that over-estimates of the time needed for works like this were made so that those in charge could later claim "Oh look, we've finished way ahead of schedule".

rogergh | 22.02.25 - 8:07 a.m. | #

Probably covers 'unforeseen circumstances' like equipment failure, sickness - collapse of a road in Godstone etc.

Still Anon | 22.02.25 - 8:12 a.m. | #

Thurrock council routinely allow 18 months in their temporary orders which may be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State.

Fred | 22.02.25 - 8:55 a.m. | #

I would be far less irritated by overrunning road works if I knew that the contracts were set up with penalty clauses, so that the public receives, albeit indirectly, some compensation for delays.

Malcolm of Kent | 22.02.25 - 12:16 p.m. | #

Well yes Malcolm but the potential costs of the penalties would be built into the tenders. Thus increasing the overall cost.

Freddie | 22.02.25 - 1:38 p.m. | #

Both Tower Hamlets and Newham were much better at detailing when works were expected to finish than TfL in their Traffic Orders. Much to do with close supervision and maintaining a tight schedule so easy to predict, rather than someone balancing several projects (with sparce site visits) from remote Palestra.
I remember well when Tredegar Road west of A12 was widened and straightened around 2005. Within the first day of the 6 week project contractors had located power and phone lines that utilities had assured them did not exist. Day two they had a water fountain feature from a water pipe that Thames were unaware of. Then the gulleys did not connect to drains at the east end.
Despite all the setbacks Tower Hamlets project manager was frequently on site, amended the plans and order of works, and opened the finished road 6 hours early. He also kept Buses fully briefed.
It can be done with good supervision and management invested locally.

scrumpy | 22.02.25 - 5:39 p.m. | #

I still don't quite understand what the improvements are. Certainly the cycle lane provision looks as minimal as it was before. It really looks to me like they've just handed a bit more space over to cars.

tomb | 24.02.25 - 9:20 a.m. | #











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