Motorists 'drive over' roadworks

Boris Johnson hopes the plans will ease congestion in the capital

Motorists in London will be able to drive over covered holes caused by roadworks when they are not being worked on to help cut congestion.

Thames Water said it would cover the work trenches with plates when they were not in use so roads that would otherwise be coned off could be used.

Mayor Boris Johnson has also urged utility companies to give more information on their planned works.

He called for information boards to be put up warning of delays.

Gas, water, electricity and other companies will be made to sign a code, promising to cause minimal disruption when work needs to be done.

Londoners will be able to report companies who break the code.

'Invisible army'

Residents who notice untidy or unattended works will be able to voice their concerns on the Transport for London (TfL) website.

Utility companies will also have to dig up roads outside peak hours where possible to ease congestion in the capital.

Mr Johnson said: "By making these pledges the utility companies have agreed that the simply incredible situation of their being allowed to dig up any road in the capital with little notice and even less co-ordination must now end.

"None of us can escape the frustration of sitting with engine idling or pedal poised at road works manned by an invisible army of workers.

"There may sometimes be a good reason for this and sometimes there is not."

According to TfL 300,000 holes are dug in roads by utility companies in London each year without adequate notice.

Last year Mr Johnson accused ministers of "shilly shallying" over proposals to introduce a roadworks permit scheme.

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