More chaos at the western end of the High Street and the eastbound A4 coming in to Marlborough. Why? Good question. Just traffic lights, barriers and that’s it. One.Network informs us that it’s Thames Water who have ordered the works, but since the lights and barriers appeared a couple of days ago, nothing. Earlier this afternoon (Monday 22 September) there were no workers around, no holes in the road, a pair of ‘Stop / Go’ manual signs lying in the barriered section of the road, and that’s it.
Apparently, and according to ‘One.Network‘ the works are due to run between 18 and 22 September and described under ‘Activity Type’ as ‘Utility Repair and Maintenance Works’. This raises the questions: what ‘Utility’ to be repaired, and where are the ‘Maintenance Works’? And who is carring these works out?
The above images show the same area, same lights, same barriers but no activity – now evidence of any digging. Just a car parked in the coned off area on the Monday being the only difference.
With what else is affecting us in the Thames Water area – hosepipe ban, sewage outflows into the River Kennet, is it really any surprise that they are now inflicting Marlborough, it’s residents and visitors with hold-ups due to ‘phantom roadworks’.?
The reason is quite likely the same reason that inflicts Marlborough on a regular basis. There probably is some works that need to be done. These will be farmed out to a contractor, from somewhere. This contractor will then sub-contract the supply of Traffic Lights and Road Barriers out to some other suppliers but somehow the timings of what, where and when don’t quite tally. Complete lack of co-ordination, no ‘joined-up-thinking’ and we all suffer. For what? So that we can pay the extortionate amount they charge for this service (or abuse?). This is Thames Water.
UPDATE……. Monday 22 Sept – 18:15. Everything has disappeared as quickly as the lights and barriers arrived. No sign of any working on the road. All now clear. What they were doing, a mystery
Marlborough Rugby – v. Launceston (away)
