Traffic was again busy in Marlborough today. Westbound on the High Street – a crawl. OK, it’s always pretty bad on Saturdays but why are there ‘phantom road works’ in place, with traffic control lights but no activity in sight nor any disruption to the road space itself?
On the A4 at Clatford there has been traffic control for a couple of days as some work was being done on the verge. Not on the road itself, but – in a fenced-off area away from the road. And today, no activity, no impediment or blockage in the carriageway but traffic lights still in action stopping traffic in either direction.
By the College, on the A4 at Bridewell Street, right by the Pelican Crossing. Pelican Crossing lights turned off – or appear to be. Traffic lights, signage but no action, disruption or any sign of activity. It would appear that the Traffic Control had been put in place there in readiness for some work to be done, maybe on Monday?
Ultimately this is an issue for the Highways Agency. And Wiltshire Council. But being a weekend not possible to report to the Council. Planning and co-ordination? Where does the ‘OK’ for such disruption come from? This isn’t the first time such hold-ups have happened, they appear quite regularly. Sometimes because the traffic control lights come from one supplier, who sets everything up with minimal or zero co-ordination with the contractor working for the Utility Company who will be working in the roadspace. It isn’t unknown for traffic control lights to be put in place and operational for a week or more before any work starts, and left there for some while after completion.
Any other such incidents, let us know by clicking here and sending us an e-mail (ideally with a pic).
Mechanic / Technician – Savernake Auto Services, Marlborough
