The real impact of roadworks - and why they're set to get worse
The frustration of the daily grind: How roadworks impact our lives
A few weeks ago, I found myself stuck in a sea of orange flashing lights and miles of cones, a common sight for many drivers. As a weekly traveler across Britain's roads, I understand the frustration that comes with roadworks, and it seems I'm not alone. Brett Baines, a HGV driver with nearly 30 years of experience, has also noticed an increase in roadworks, which he finds particularly annoying due to their long duration.
According to National Highways, England's roads are in dire need of upgrades and repairs, leading to even more roadworks in the future. The aging infrastructure, built in the 1960s and 1970s, is reaching the end of its serviceable life, and the Welsh and Scottish governments are also predicting an increase in roadworks. But what does this mean for drivers and the economy?
The cost of disruption
Roadworks have a significant impact on our daily lives and the economy. In England alone, 2.2 million street and road works were carried out between 2022 and 2023, costing the economy around £4bn through travel disruption. This highlights the delicate balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure and the cost of disruption.
In Clanfield, Hampshire, residents like David are frustrated by the constant road closures and temporary traffic lights caused by utility companies replacing old infrastructure. SGN, the gas network manager, is replacing 10 miles of aging pipework, a challenging project that will be completed in May. However, the lack of coordination between utility companies and local authorities is a major issue, as David points out.
Communication and coordination: The key to reducing disruption
Councils in England are responsible for highways maintenance, but they often struggle to keep up with the demands of utility companies. Nick Adams-King, leader of the Conservative-run county council in Hampshire, admits that bringing roads up to scratch would cost £600m, while their annual budget is only around £70m. The government has increased funding for highways maintenance, but the challenge remains.
Utility companies have a lot of leeway in deciding when to carry out work, and they can declare some work as emergencies, causing last-minute disruptions. Local authorities are trying to reduce disruption through permit schemes, but some councils have raised issues with the 'immediate permit' type, which is used for urgent or emergency works without prior warning.
The cost to businesses
Roadworks can have a significant impact on businesses, as seen in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Amber Pets, a pet shop, has been affected by roadworks, leading to congestion and a loss of regular customers. Utility companies in the area say they are upgrading vital infrastructure, but local MP Paul Waugh believes they should be doing more to minimize the economic impact.
The case of Wisley Gardens
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) at Wisley has lost nearly £14m due to roadworks near their gardens. The project to improve congestion and safety at a busy junction has delayed the society's operations, causing a loss of visitors and stress for older visitors. The RHS is now seeking compensation, highlighting the impact of roadworks on businesses.
Motorway delays and 'short sharp shocks'
Motorways and major trunk roads account for only 2% of England's roads by mileage but carry a third of all traffic and two-thirds of all freight. Delays on England's major roads have increased due to roadworks, and the government is concerned about the rise in average delay. To address this, they have announced plans to spend £25bn on the strategic road network between 2026 and 2031.
In Hampshire, a new garden village has been built with an extra junction on the M27, requiring a concrete tunnel to be constructed beneath the motorway. This caused a short-term disruption, but it was hoped to minimize long-term disruption. Local authorities are also trying lane rental schemes, where utility companies are charged for lane closures, to reduce disruption.
The future of roadworks
While there are proposed solutions, no clear answers are immediate. The key issues of coordination, communication, and duration persist. As Nicola Bell from National Highways notes, increased roadworks are due to a lack of investment in infrastructure. With the government's focus on economic growth through better infrastructure, roadworks are here to stay, but the question remains: can they be managed more effectively?
