Council blames water company for traffic chaos

A Bucks councillor says problems on the A418 near Hartwell earlier this week were down to the unsanctioned use of traffic lights by Thames Water.

But when we contacted the water company, they put forward a different side to the story, blaming the council for failing to properly communicate the restrictions to them.

We first got a response from Cllr Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport at Bucks Council, on Thursday lunchtime (14/9), when he said:

"We know this is causing a lot of frustration and inconvenience for local residents and commuters due to the significant traffic delays, especially at the start and end of the day.

"The conditions of the Thames Water works permit very clearly requires that any traffic management that may be needed (traffic lights) are only allowed between the hours of 9:30am and 3:00pm. Outside of these hours no traffic lights are allowed and must be removed.

"Thames Water and their traffic management company have failed to follow these requirements since the beginning of this week. This is totally unacceptable, has significant adverse effect on the wider network, and we know our residents have been understandably annoyed and angry when this has happened.

"The council has responded proactively, and the Street Works team has been on site each day this week instructing Thames Water to remove the lights outside of the permitted hours. For the remaining duration of the works, which are due to end 22 September 2023, the Street Works Inspector will attend on site at the start and end of each day to ensure that Thames Water follow the conditions of their permit.

"Additionally, a senior level meeting will be held with Thames Water to remind them of their obligations, and warnings and fines will be issued for not following the conditions of the permit.

"Whilst the council cannot prevent the work from taking place, we do take breaches of this sort very seriously and will enforce the legislation in full. Any further breaches of the work conditions will result in our revoking the permit and stopping all works."

But when we heard back from Thames Water the next day (15/9), they gave a very different picture, blaming the council for not telling them about the rules. A spokesperson said: 

 "The initial permit allowed the traffic lights to be up and under manual control between 7am and 7pm. With the lights to be removed when not required.

 "Due to traffic situation caused by the traffic lights, the conditions of the permit were changed on Tuesday afternoon to 9:30am-3:00pm however we were not directly informed.

"We were contacted by Highways Authority [Bucks Council] on Wednesday at 7:20am about the change. The lights were pulled down by 8:15am and put back up again at 9:30am in line with the new conditions of the permit."

In response, Cllr Broadbent said:

"All changes to permits, notifications, request for amendments and changes to conditions are made via an automated system that all utility companies are required to access.

"In addition we made it very clear on site that Thames Water were in breech, on more than one occasion, dating back to the start of works on the 5th September."

He also noted that problems on the A41 were down to the same company:

"We are also aware, as are residents and commuters, that over the last few weeks there have also been significant traffic disruptions along the A41 Tring Road as a result of other Thames Water mains works.

"This has caused a lot of frustration and inconvenience for drivers coming in and out of Aylesbury due to the significant traffic delays, especially at the start and end of the day. The council is closely monitoring this and is working with Thames Water to expedite the works so they can be completed as soon as possible."

But, on the plus side, things seem to be improving, with Cllr Broadbent saying:

"I would like to add that in the last two days Thames Water has operated without breech."