SCOTLAND'S 'Roadworks Tsar' is planning to name and shame contractors who infuriate motorists by allowing roadworks to run on too long.
John Gooday, the Scottish Road Works Commissioner, is drawing up plans to analyse and publish how long roadworks are taking and whether drivers are given enough warning of major disruption. He has also threatened to fine persistent offenders up to £5
0,000.
Gooday has also said he wants to investigate whether companies are side-stepping rules on notifying councils by classifying repairs as emergencies.
Drivers' organisations and businesses have complained about the amount of roadworks across Scotland's network. Shops in Edinburgh city centre say their takings have been down since large sections of the city centre were shut for works on the city's tram scheme.
Gooday has ordered his team of officials to compile data on how well or badly roadworks across Scotland are carried out. Criteria will include how long the scheme takes to complete, how long they overrun, and whether councils and drivers have been given enough notice and details about the works.
Although Gooday's office will not publish his findings as league tables, the data will be made available in ways that would allow analysts and media observers to draw up league tables of which firms, contractors and councils are the worst for delaying traffic.
Motorists' groups hailed the move as a relief for hard-pressed drivers. Neil Greig, director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists Motoring Trust, said: "This is excellent news, naming and shaming the worst contractors will make a difference.
"And drivers have suspected for years that firms and utilities were misusing their right to set up emergency repairs.
"John Gooday and his staff are in the ideal position to look at this question because they can access all the information."
The full article contains 310 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
