OOPS

[Stroppymonkey]

Good start to the day. Local road connecting 2 towns has been blocked over night. Not a single diversion sign up anywhere and its at the bottom of a hill with poor turning. Absolute chaos for miles around. Looks like it was supposed to be a single lane closed , but spoil gone on other side of road and blocked the lot? I am sure there is a logical explanation, but it is currently carnage .. and not even school run time yet. Motorbikes still okay to get through.. on the pavement :-/

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Good start to the day. Local road connecting 2 towns has been blocked over night. Not a single diversion sign up anywhere and its at the bottom of a hill with poor turning. Absolute chaos for miles around. Looks like it was supposed to be a single lane closed , but spoil gone on other side of road and blocked the lot? I am sure there is a logical explanation, but it is currently carnage .. and not even school run time yet. Motorbikes still okay to get through.. on the pavement :-/ View attachment 77458

We have a failing disused railway bridge (the line was removed in the 50s I believe) that has recently had a 7.5 tonne weight limit imposed (enforced with anpr cameras) on one of the main A -roads into/out of Nantwich. This bridge has been deteriorating for years, and has had temporary traffic lights on it for the last 2 years with absolutely no work done to repair/remove/replace etc.
On Friday two of the other major A roads into Nantwich (which also form the hgv diversion route for the knackered bridge) were blocked - one by a bit of a flood (undoubtedly due to blocked grids as it never floods there, and the water was still sitting days after the rain had passed), and the other by a fallen tree.
Cheshire East Highways didn’t attend to clear either blockage until Monday! Their ineptitude and ability to waste money is absolutely unbelievable…

 

[Lancs Lad]

Good start to the day. Local road connecting 2 towns has been blocked over night. Not a single diversion sign up anywhere and its at the bottom of a hill with poor turning. Absolute chaos for miles around. Looks like it was supposed to be a single lane closed , but spoil gone on other side of road and blocked the lot? I am sure there is a logical explanation, but it is currently carnage .. and not even school run time yet. Motorbikes still okay to get through.. on the pavement :-/ View attachment 77458

Move the spoil FFS.
Our county council on about a new lane rental scheme. Interesting to see if it works. It's an utter total joke now..
Had temp.lights for a full weekend on a long standing job to install new traffic islands ...it was re instated Friday night ...lights were just left all weekend MP got involved now and local business owners all kicking off.. Added at least 10-15 mins to a normal journey. Someone needs to be accountable.
The lights may or may not have disappeared into the hedge one weekend about 2am when some lads headed home....

 

[Canal Navvy]

We seem to be exactly the same around here.
They also have an obsession with putting up barriers and warning signs to the extent that all too often the only obstruction or danger is caused by them

 

[sfrs4]

Councils are the first to complain that they don't get enough funding.... But they no longer employ their own people they somehow believe that employing multiple different companies to manage sectors of there business is the correct way to go about it, these same companies are then charging out at exorbitant rates and don't really give a sh!t about doing the job properly, if its not that, then the councils are busy playing hedge fund investors with our money and inevitably loose every time, again they don't care because it's not their money! these people in councils need to be accountable for the absolute neglect with public coffers, our local parish council wanted to spend £250k on a glorified shed to store a couple of ride on mowers small tools and a break room. Funnily enough the chair of the council just happened to know a bloke ( brother in law ) who could supply and build this gold and platinum building! The sooner all governmental dept's are held totally accountable for their spends the better.

 

[Smiffy]

Councils are the first to complain that they don't get enough funding.... But they no longer employ their own people they somehow believe that employing multiple different companies to manage sectors of there business is the correct way to go about it, these same companies are then charging out at exorbitant rates and don't really give a sh!t about doing the job properly, if its not that, then the councils are busy playing hedge fund investors with our money and inevitably loose every time, again they don't care because it's not their money! these people in councils need to be accountable for the absolute neglect with public coffers, our local parish council wanted to spend £250k on a glorified shed to store a couple of ride on mowers small tools and a break room. Funnily enough the chair of the council just happened to know a bloke ( brother in law ) who could supply and build this gold and platinum building! The sooner all governmental dept's are held totally accountable for their spends the better.

I'm not defending them but for the most part this isn't the case. The rates paid to the management contractors and the subbies and generally anyone in the council are really terrible. This is the problem. The council and their subbies doing basic work are generally pretty terrible as the rates don't attract good skilled people at any level.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I'm not defending them but for the most part this isn't the case. The rates paid to the management contractors and the subbies and generally anyone in the council are really terrible. This is the problem. The council and their subbies doing basic work are generally pretty terrible as the rates don't attract good skilled people at any level.

14 years of funding cuts.. it’s not rocket science to see where the problems started. Just because we can cite examples of poor decision making in some areas does not mean that the whole council is that incompetent in all areas . There is simply NOT enough money, and social care is taking up way too much of the money. We have too many old people and councils are faced with the terribly tough decisions.
As @Smiffy just pointed out, you get what you pay for ..

 

[Smiffy]

14 years of funding cuts.. it’s not rocket science to see where the problems started. Just because we can cite examples of poor decision making in some areas does not mean that the whole council is that incompetent in all areas . There is simply NOT enough money, and social care is taking up way too much of the money. We have too many old people and councils are faced with the terribly tough decisions.
As @Smiffy just pointed out, you get what you pay for ..

It's also all compounded to the institutionalised mentality and the promotion by seniority idea.
I don't know about other countries but in the UK a non profit driven model never seems to work. Yes privatisation is not brilliant but nationalisation doesn't seem to work either.


I would like to add about the lane rental scheme above that it doesn't work. Surrey run it and it causes more problems than it solves. Firstly the money goes to the central council pot, not the highways Division, secondly by law the council have to charge themselves lane rental for works if they charge contractors. This means the council then try and avoid doing any work on lane rental roads as they get poor value for money. If they do do work on lane rental roads they waste money and don't get it back as it goes into the central pot to be split up between all council departments.
So lane rental roads end up neglected. You get less for your council tax and the utilities companies don't GAF. So no improvement there.

Everyone wants to complain about utility companies but I'm pretty certain that most their problems stem from short staffing as noone wants to the job, it's not exactly very appealing, apart from the fact it's not the greatest work, you then have to deal with the public which is truly sh*t when they all no better than you and go out of there way to be a hindrance.

 

[Lancs Lad]

It's also all compounded to the institutionalised mentality and the promotion by seniority idea.
I don't know about other countries but in the UK a non profit driven model never seems to work. Yes privatisation is not brilliant but nationalisation doesn't seem to work either.


I would like to add about the lane rental scheme above that it doesn't work. Surrey run it and it causes more problems than it solves. Firstly the money goes to the central council pot, not the highways Division, secondly by law the council have to charge themselves lane rental for works if they charge contractors. This means the council then try and avoid doing any work on lane rental roads as they get poor value for money. If they do do work on lane rental roads they waste money and don't get it back as it goes into the central pot to be split up between all council departments.
So lane rental roads end up neglected. You get less for your council tax and the utilities companies don't GAF. So no improvement there.

Everyone wants to complain about utility companies but I'm pretty certain that most their problems stem from short staffing as noone wants to the job, it's not exactly very appealing, apart from the fact it's not the greatest work, you then have to deal with the public which is truly sh*t when they all no better than you and go out of there way to be a hindrance.

Interesting point about Lane Rental. Was aware it was a thing elsewhere . Did cross my mind it'll hardly be a silver bullet.

What's the answer?
I'm well aware it's easy to come across as a complete moaning eejit and work needs to be done but seriously for 4 traffic islands on a single carriageway A road ...6 weeks of of temp lights.there must be a better way? Council stance has been ;

Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “Two way temporary signals were installed during road works at this location due to strict safety, legal and compliance regulations.

 

[Lancs Lad]

14 years of funding cuts.. it’s not rocket science to see where the problems started. Just because we can cite examples of poor decision making in some areas does not mean that the whole council is that incompetent in all areas . There is simply NOT enough money, and social care is taking up way too much of the money. We have too many old people and councils are faced with the terribly tough decisions.
As @Smiffy just pointed out, you get what you pay for ..

Careful citing the to many old people rhyme...Rory has an answer for that and it ain't pretty 🫣

 

[DaveDCB]

It's also all compounded to the institutionalised mentality and the promotion by seniority idea.
I don't know about other countries but in the UK a non profit driven model never seems to work. Yes privatisation is not brilliant but nationalisation doesn't seem to work either.


I would like to add about the lane rental scheme above that it doesn't work. Surrey run it and it causes more problems than it solves. Firstly the money goes to the central council pot, not the highways Division, secondly by law the council have to charge themselves lane rental for works if they charge contractors. This means the council then try and avoid doing any work on lane rental roads as they get poor value for money. If they do do work on lane rental roads they waste money and don't get it back as it goes into the central pot to be split up between all council departments.
So lane rental roads end up neglected. You get less for your council tax and the utilities companies don't GAF. So no improvement there.

Everyone wants to complain about utility companies but I'm pretty certain that most their problems stem from short staffing as noone wants to the job, it's not exactly very appealing, apart from the fact it's not the greatest work, you then have to deal with the public which is truly sh*t when they all no better than you and go out of there way to be a hindrance.

Second that - I still can’t find anyone to do my water connection - literally 10+ companies now, not a single one has rung me back after initial discussion!

 

[Smiffy]

Interesting point about Lane Rental. Was aware it was a thing elsewhere . Did cross my mind it'll hardly be a silver bullet.

What's the answer?
I'm well aware it's easy to come across as a complete moaning eejit and work needs to be done but seriously for 4 traffic islands on a single carriageway A road ...6 weeks of of temp lights.there must be a better way? Council stance has been ;

Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “Two way temporary signals were installed during road works at this location due to strict safety, legal and compliance regulations.

The traffic management is very OTT in this country but we need it due to the attitude of drivers. People get grumpy and drive like tw*ts around road works so traffic management is increased to keep everyone safe which causes more traffic so people get grumpy and drive worse. I cannot begin to explain how dangerous people are around road works. 2 cars have hit me with wing mirrors whilst walking down a road in full hi vis. One wanted to sue me as it damaged their wing mirror.
If ever temporary lights are playing up there is a 95% chance it's because someone has skipped the lights.

There are countless other problems that contribute to sh*te road works but if people drove sensibly then it would at least help one aspect.

 

[Silversabre]

Seen it my shelf, having done the odd bit of TM over the years. People ignoring closures, driving the wrong side of the road.

Had on a night shift, people driving a mile, passing 7 road ahead closed signs, and cones which meant they had to drive on the opposite side of the carriageway. Get to the road closure and then be completely surprised and dumbfounded that the road is closed.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Careful citing the to many old people rhyme...Rory has an answer for that and it ain't pretty 🫣

The solution is obvious , just not palatable nor indeed acceptable.

 

[Canal Navvy]

If ever temporary lights are playing up there is a 95% chance it's because someone has skipped the lights.

That IS interesting, temporary lights always go wrong round here ...... so are generally ignored.
Be interested to see where that 95% comes from

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Seen it my shelf, having done the odd bit of TM over the years. People ignoring closures, driving the wrong side of the road.

Had on a night shift, people driving a mile, passing 7 road ahead closed signs, and cones which meant they had to drive on the opposite side of the carriageway. Get to the road closure and then be completely surprised and dumbfounded that the road is closed.

I was running a non compliant interference for a Hiab lorry recently.
His load was fully legal but lots of narrow lanes so I was running ahead with van on hazards and a high vis vest out the window .. stopping in the middle of the lane so nothing more than a 5 ft gap left and driver still trying to push through the gap and refusing to make eye contact / open the window or communicate and let me tell them to wait there or they will have to reverse.
Literally blinkered

 

[Lancs Lad]

That IS interesting, temporary lights always go wrong round here ...... so are generally ignored.
Be interested to see where that 95% comes from

Someone claimed temp lights without solid white reflective surround aren't enforced ....anyway in a nutshell I went off down the rabbit hole of research. Upshot I'll not bother running one with plod in eyesight

I just shudder to think where we'll be in 10.years time? Robot operators who wallop your screen if you try and pass on red?

 

[Lancs Lad]

I was running a non compliant interference for a Hiab lorry recently.
His load was fully legal but lots of narrow lanes so I was running ahead with van on hazards and a high vis vest out the window .. stopping in the middle of the lane so nothing more than a 5 ft gap left and driver still trying to push through the gap and refusing to make eye contact / open the window or communicate and let me tell them to wait there or they will have to reverse.
Literally blinkered

Our bridge gets clobbered every few years and hence concrete Armco arrives and 3-4 sets of road closed over a mile or two. At first I used to stop folk if I was heading out to save em a wasted mile or two. Long since given up🫣 responses varies from oh it never means it actually shut to simple expletives.

 

[Smiffy]

That IS interesting, temporary lights always go wrong round here ...... so are generally ignored.
Be interested to see where that 95% comes from

Spending far to much of my time working inside them as well as an understanding of how they work.
Presuming they are set up with the correct timings ( these are adjusted on site so any timing issues are generally resolved before the traffic management operative leaves site )
They fail to all red when either confused or low on battery. They get confused because they are motion sensitive. They will only go green if they have sensed movement since the last green phase. When they get confused it is due to people jumping the lights and blocking the filter lane for long enough that the other side does a full red green cycle with out cars moving towards the light head. It then thinks there is noone waiting so the other light goes green again. Most the time if you walk up to the light head and wave at it up close to the sensor at the top it will all reset. If you haven't seen the little red led light up as you approach them the light hasn't registered your presence. Flashing lights at them has absolutely zero impact.

 

[DaveDCB]

Oh and something to bring us all back down…
How the hell someone walked out of this I dont know!!

Seen it my shelf, having done the odd bit of TM over the years. People ignoring closures, driving the wrong side of the road.

Had on a night shift, people driving a mile, passing 7 road ahead closed signs, and cones which meant they had to drive on the opposite side of the carriageway. Get to the road closure and then be completely surprised and dumbfounded that the road is closed.

But the amount of times a road is closed when infact it really isn’t!!!

Was 5mile long road closure near us.. left shut over weekends.. I’d just drive through it all at night no bother as they’d only dug up the verge anyway