Vincent Cable MP, St Margaret’s councillors and local traders have protested to the gas infrastructure company, National Grid plc, at what Vincent Cable called “mind bogglingly incompetent project management”.
The work - replacing gas mains - started in the spring without any warning; was repeatedly interrupted; and then abandoned. It was due to restart on 1st June and signs advertising the fact were displayed, discouraging shoppers. But nothing happened. The workers have never appeared.
Vincent Cable has written to the company’s Chief Executive to protest and to demand that a senior project manager be put in charge to finish the work: “some of the utility companies make a habit of digging up roads and pavements for weeks on end. But this saga in St Margaret’s has gone on for months and is no nearer a resolution. The traders are furious since their livelihoods are on the line. There should surely be some financial sanction when utilities cause unnecessary inconvenience and loss to communities as National Grid is doing.”
Comments
Rather than another estate agents, wouldn't it be nice to see the old bakers on Crown Road turn back into another food shop or local retailer(something that would serve the needs of the local community). We would question the direction of local planning; is it really to convert St. Margaret's village centre into yet another Estate Agents Ghetto? These have become the blight of so many of our charming village centres. There are already far too many offices and far too few local shops.
Malcolm & Alison Mathew on 2007-06-14 23:03:46 +0000The direction of local planning is to oppose change of use from retail to service. It is the rents offered by Estate Agents which go in the other direction (but come a downturn in the market they will leave behind empty shops, as Chris Squire suggests elsewhere). It is up to us to complain so that the council evaluate the Chase Buchanan application properly and keep the designation for retail use.
Trevor Whittall on 2007-06-15 10:07:08 +0000The Gas Man is certainly there now; He appeared on Wednesday, dug a huge hole in the pavement opposite Oddbins and arbitrarily placed "Pavement Closed" signs (yet again - see www.stmgrts.org.uk/archives/2006/11/letter_to_the_e.html)
Well, we had to walk to school on Thursday morning, so, I admit it was me - I held my arm out and strode to the middle of the road to block the traffic and allow the children to safely walk past. I then moved the "Pavement Closed" signs aside further up so we could get by. A fat gas man (with regulation builders bum showing) moved them back shortly after. He should stop sitting around and do more exercise, ie get digging!!!!
By Thursday evening though they had done the right thing, and erected some pedestrian barriers around their hole, with traffic lights to delay the cars.
Wow what a big gas pipe! It always smells of gas around there, perhaps they will fix it properly this time!
Ed
Ed on 2007-06-15 10:44:51 +0000