Delay for roadworks after cables buried in the 'wrong place'

[dutchman]

Bungling BT workers have caused roadworks near Coventry’s University Hospital to over-run by weeks - after putting cables in the wrong place,



The problem has occurred at Woodway Lane, in Walsgrave, which is being redeveloped as part of Coventry City Council’s £10million Pinch Point scheme to reduce traffic congestion in the area around the hospital.

When council workers dug into the ground, they found BT cables had not been put in the correct place or at the right depth.

That meant work had to be put on hold while the council waited for BT to fix the problem, a situation which has caused several weeks of delays.

The Pinch Point works began in February and council officials said there was still about two months of work remaining at Woodway Lane.

A city council spokesman said: “The work at Woodway Lane was delayed due to issues around the BT cabling and apparatus.

“The main issues were that upon excavation it was discovered that BT cables were not in the location or at the depth that their plans had originally indicated.

“To undertake the lowering of the BT cables, their contractors had to extract and lower the high voltage cables that run across Woodway Lane.

“As with all utility companies, only their contractors can carry out this work and works have to be booked in advance in a timescale where they have crews available.

“There is approximately six to eight weeks worth of work remaining until this junction is complete.”

Once completed the junction will provide pedestrians with formal crossing points, a new wider footpath on one side, a wider section of carriageway turning into Woodway Lane for large vehicles and two right turn lanes from Woodway Lane onto the A4600 towards the city.

The council said there will also be more efficient phasing of the traffic signals and a link to the new signals due to be installed at the Ansty Road roundabout.

The Pinch Point works have also targeted traffic flow problems in surrounding areas including Hinckley Road and Clifford Bridge Road.

Originally, the council said all work in the area should be completed by January.

BT was unavailable for comment.

[rebbonk]

Perhaps these things wouldn't happen if we had a clerk of works overseeing things?

I wonder if there's a claim of compensation to be had here?