Questions over gas works that caused months of delays

Questions have been raised over the planning and coordination of major gas works in Berkshire that caused months of disruption for drivers, residents and businesses.

A series of permit changes and inspection failures for the works, in Sandhurst, were highlighted by councillor Naz Zahuruddin, which he told a Bracknell Forest Council meeting had led to the disruption. The council said these alone did not demonstrate the work had been poorly planned.

The works were part of a major project by gas distribution firm SGN to replace a metal gas pipe around Albion Road, between September last year and March.

SGN thanked the community for its patience and apologised for any inconvenience experienced.

The works also affected Swan Lane and Derby Green Road, with Zahuruddin telling the meeting that the extended closure of Swan Lane beneath the railway bridge had caused disruption for residents and businesses in Vulcan Way.

This included forcing vans from Royal Mail's distribution office to detour via Hampshire to reach Yorktown Road.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said some residents complained the road was unnecessarily kept closed before Christmas as building materials were stored under the railway bridge, when work appeared to have been completed.

Zahuruddin said data he received from local highways senior management revealed that between April and December last year, 24 of 38 permit changes – 63% – had been requested by the utility company.

At the council meeting, he asked, given the "pattern of permit changes, extensions and inspection failures" whether the works had been "planned and coordinated to a standard residents would reasonably expect?".

Councillor Guy Gillbe, cabinet member for planning, transport and countryside, said permit changes, extensions and inspection failures did not, on their own, demonstrate the work was poorly planned.

He added when inspections had failed, council officers insisted SGN rectify them and that the council would continue to hold SGN to account.

Zahuruddin asked what lessons had been learned from the disruption.

Gillbe said he did not want to minimise that the works had "caused an awful lot of stress for people trying to get about Sandhurst" but believed the council had been "adept and forward" to ensure it had held SGN to the "highest standard".

The SGN spokesperson explained traffic management measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of its engineers and anyone passing the works, which were agreed with the council as part of its permit conditions, and said fortnightly meetings were held with key stakeholders, including businesses, to keep them updated on progress and timelines.

They said they were "not aware of any significant complaints" made during the work but would have welcomed the opportunity to discuss any issues at the time with the community.