Campaign gains support

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A CAMPAIGN started by the MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, that aims clamp down on overrunning roadworks, has gained the support of the Government’s Roads Minister.

MP Mark Francois started the campaign to “to reduce the scourge of overrunning roadworks, across the country,” and met with Roads Minister Richard Holden, alongside Southend West MP Anna Firth, and Vicky Ford, to discuss passing a Roadworks Bill.

Speaking after the meeting, the Roads Minister said: “Mark Francois has hit the nail on the head with his campaign to ‘can the cones’. Delays to road works and the disruption its causes are unacceptable.

“I welcome the proposals contained in Mark’s Roadworks Bill to increase fines on road works that run over time and for greater cooperation between authorities.

“Following my meeting with Mark Francois, Anna Firth and Vicky Ford, I am going to examine the proposals in detail to see what can be done using existing powers and will write to them.”

Commenting on the Minister’s support for the campaign – which is also backed by the AA – Mr Francois said: “I must thank our Roads Minister, Richard Holden MP, for his time on Tuesday and for the very positive way in which he engaged on this issue.

“He was clearly well aware of the great frustration caused to motorists around the country by excessive and overrunning roadworks and has now undertaken to see if he can achieve the spirit of much that is in my Roadworks (Regulation) Bill under existing law and/or DFT guidance.

“Along with the other promoters of the Bill, I very much look forward to seeing what the Minister comes up with, but he has assured me that some positive changes should follow on from all this, which means that drafting the Bill and promoting it in Parliament was clearly worthwhile.”

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A CAMPAIGN started by the MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, that aims clamp down on overrunning roadworks, has gained the support of the Government’s Roads Minister.

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