Major utility firms and particularly their subcontractors repeatedly flout the regulations set out in the 1980 Highways Act by arriving without warning and excavating pavements and footpaths, then placing signs declaring the footpath closed.

Before closing any footpath, an application must be submitted in advance and the granted permission document must be displayed on the premises, together with the dates of the authorised closure and relevant signatures so that inspections can be carried out.

Furthermore, when closing a footpath, an alternative safe route for pedestrians must be established behind barriers where feasible, rather than expecting members of the public to venture onto heavily trafficked main roads to bypass ongoing works.

Their Safe System Of Works documentation should address all these requirements, yet either these procedures are not being observed, are not being consulted, or do not exist.

These companies cut costs and save time by failing to comply with regulations, and in doing so they endanger lives. They ought to be held responsible for their actions.

Roland Granville

Caerleon