The way road works are organised in Southampton needs to improve, a councillor has said as a major route into the city is snarled by major works for a second successive week.
After the traffic nightmare on the Redbridge flyover, even more emergency roadworks are clogging up the junction of Platform Road, Terminus Terrace and Canute Road, further down the main route into Southampton from the west.
Drivers have faced long queues due to emergency gas works, with SGN blocking a lane at the busy junction.
The lane closure, in addition to the temporary traffic lights, has meant that commuters have faced delays expected to last until Sunday.
READ MORE: Gas work traffic bedlam on busy road to continue all week
Platform Road works (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)
Millbrook ward councillor Jeremy Moulton was caught in the Platform Road works for 20 minutes this morning, and says more can be done to improve how roadworks are done.
He said: "The first thing to say is that Southampton is a medium-sized city with a significant road network. There is always going to be some roadworks, it is unavoidable.
"The council's role is to maintain the network and arrange a suitable schedule. I think the council can do better.
"We should avoid lane closures whenever possible and make sure that work on roads likely to cause significant disruption should be done overnight when possible.
"I think the council's communications could improve significantly. They had a very useful Twitter [account] for highways, which is no longer being used. Instead, they are using Blue Sky."
Cllr Moulton also says that when the council does communicate about roadworks, it can be unclear to residents what the road situation is.
He suggested utilising more staggered roadworks, such as those planned for the Itchen Bridge.
Queues during the Redbridge flyover closure (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)
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Redbridge ward councillor Lee Whitbread acknowledged that while utility companies have a right and duty to carry out these works, the disruption they can cause is "a real concern, especially when coordination appears lacking or when works drag on longer than necessary".
Cllr Whitbread added: "There is absolutely room for improvement. Many residents feel frustrated when multiple roadworks happen in the same area at the same time or when roads are dug up soon after being resurfaced. This suggests a need for better planning, stronger oversight and greater accountability.
"I was particularly disappointed by Southern Water’s recent handling of the road closure on the Redbridge Flyover. The lack of adequate planning caused significant disruption to drivers and left many feeling justifiably frustrated.
"It is a clear example of why a more coordinated approach is needed."
Cllr Whitbread says local councils are increasingly pressing for more coordination through permit schemes, tighter regulations and better communication from utilities.
Ian Hall has been a professional taxi driver since 1981 and is the chairman of the Southampton Hackney and Private Hire Association.
He said: "The stress on drivers, normal drivers and people going to work. The stress caused by that water leak (Redbridge) must have been substantial.
"As far as I am concerned, if they are going to dig up the road for any amount of time, they need to pay the council some money for this upheaval."
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