I had no idea what it meant either when I saw this on the agenda of the Highways Committee. Just exactly who do the Statutory Undertakers bury?

It turns out that it’s not “who they bury”, but “what they bury” as the statutory undertakers are the two hundred authorised bodies which dig up our roads to bury wires, pipes and so on.

Apparently they dig 17,000 holes each year in County Durham’s roads, and have to re-instate them and guarantee those reinstatements for two years (or three if particularly deep).

The county council inspects 10% of those holes whilst in progress to check that the signage is right, that danger is avoided, and that particular care is taken to protect pedestrians.

It has to inspect a further 10% on reinstatement to check that the quality is up to scratch.

Finally the county council has to inspect 10% of these repairs as they come to the end of the guarantee period.

And this is where you come in. “Many issues we can’t do anything about because we don’t know about them,” said Dave Pownall, head of Highway Network Management. So you and I can be added eyes and ears.

Please let me know (better still send me a photo) if you see a hole which is not adequately protected or signed, or which forces pedestrians into the road but with no protection.

Adopt a hole, and when it’s coming up to the end of its guarantee period, let me know if its reinstatement has failed (better still send me a photo) so I can feed it into the system for re-inspection.

You never guessed that being a councillor could be so interesting!

I have to admit I am only a very occasional bus user - my bus pass is still a few years away - and so I am no judge in this area. Some of you may be.

According to Go North East they have made a number of improvements locally which you can view on their website. http://www.simplygo.com/enews/West_Durham_Bus_Briefing.html#summer

I would be seriously interested in the views of any readers on these changes. I like to give credit where credit is due (and blame in the same circumstances) so if you can be bothered to comment (by using the comment link above this item, or emailing me) I’d be really grateful.

You’ll be pleased to know that painting of the bridge over the bypass must now be complete, and since the digging up of Newmarket Street for utilities work is the only item in the ward this week I have not posted the usual pdf file.

Happy Motoring.

Here’s the latest road report for next week. roadworks-14-june-08.pdf (click to view).

As you’ll see the Consett bypass overbridge is still being painted. Perhaps of more interest to most people, work on Newmarket Street will result in temporary traffic lights and therefore some delays.

Here is the Roadworks report for week commencing May 31st 2008. It’s remarkably similar to the one I posted last week so I have emailed the relevant department to check the reliability of the information.

Roadworks wc May 31st 2008

Has anyone seen any painting going on on the bridges over the Consett by-pass? It’s been on each report I’ve received so far.

I mentioned that a number of potholes had been repaired following my representations, and I’m pleased to report some further repairs in that department.

Unfortunately a rather nasty fall suffered by one resident prompted them to get in touch with me about one hole which I measured at 8 cms deep. It was a powerful reminder that it isn’t just damge to vehicles which can be caused.

Another resident got in touch to point out holes in his own access road and to remind me, quite rightly, that damage will occur to vehicles in “back-streets” as well as “front-streets”.  The worst of those holes have now been scheduled for repair.

I am pleased to be getting these reports, however. Local people taking a hand in these things can improve our district much more quickly tham relying on the regular inspections carried out by the Highways Department. Whilst they inspect main roads very regualrly, little used roads and side-streets may ony get a visit a year., if that. So thank you to those who have got in touch with me, and those of you who have gone direct to the Highways Action line on 0191 3706000 or used the contact form at http://www.durham.gov.uk/feedback.nsf/Highways+Fault+Report

The worst thing about my election from a personal point of view, however, has been the way it’s affected my vision of the world. Much of the week on Arran I have been locating pot-holes there instead of lifting my eyes to the hills. I’m hoping that broader vision will return in due course!

Roadworks w/c May 24th Click the blue link to the left to see the latest set of roadworks in Derwentside.

In Consett North ward it will be particularly of interest to people in The Crescent, (Consett) and Pemberton Road and Church Road (Blackhill).

The traffic lights on the centre of Consett were fixed today so now both pedestrians and traffix are flowing smoothly. Well done the County Council for resolving the problem so quickly.

It’s a quiet Sunday morning in Consett and as you can see, not much traffic at the Medomsley Road/Station Roads lights. The lights have turned to amber and we know what to expect next.

 As most residents of Consett know (and bank on), if the pedestrian lights have been operated by pressing the button, after the red light in this direction, the green man follows to allow pedestrians across.

But not today.   

Today the WAIT sign is permanently lit, and the lights never allow the pedestrians across. This is pretty dangerous because many people who know the sequence actually set off (including diagonally) before the pedestrian light turns green. They could therefore be at risk. It also means that everyone on foot is forced to dash across or find themselves stranded on the wrong side of the road.

I have asked the Highways Action line for rapid action.

For information about roads affected by repairs and maintenance in the next seven days just click this link. roadworks-17-may-08.pdf

 I should get this report each week. Please let me know if you find it useful.