UNPROTECTED ROAD WORKS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30559, 30 September 1964, Page 18

UNPROTECTED ROAD WORKS

Transport Dept. Concerned

The unsatisfactory way some contractors were leaving road works during the hours of darkness and weekends was a matter of considerable concern to the Transport Department, Traffic Officer H. B. Gore said in his report to the Heathcote County Council last evening.

“On several occasions I have had to relight lanterns and even use white paint on barriers and drums left on working sites,” he said. In some cases, reflectorlsed signs were not used, and county signs had to be borrowed.

. “Poorly-lit road works, together with the lack of adequate signs, constitute a very real hazard to motorists. Strict control on this point should be exercised on all contractors carrying out work bn country roads,” said Traffic Officer . Gore.

Cr C. M. A. Thompson said he thought it was the Transport Department’s responsibility to see that contractors who failed to light and protect road works were prosecuted. The chairman (Mr C. D. Le Comte) said that some contractors were troubled by vandals, who deliberately damaged the warning lamps. He recalled an occasion when lamps were thrown into a river.

The council decided to ask the Drainage Board to inform its contractors that action would be taken if road works in the county were not protected and properly lit.