Southern Water can do a "much better job" at co-ordinating roadworks and minimising traffic disruption on the Isle of Wight, the company's boss has conceded, as he promised to work closer with other utility companies and the council.
Lawrence Gosden said he was "super" committed to improving how works are planned and carried out on the Island following a "robust" private meeting with councillors yesterday (Thursday).
Acknowledging Islanders' frustration over repeated and overlapping closures, he said he has made "clear" pledges to tackle the issue.
"Nobody wants roadworks," he told the County Press, in an exclusive interview.
"Everything we can do to use trenchless technology where we're burrowing pipes underground, we will do because that's cost effective so it helps keep bills down, but it's also faster, quicker and less disruptive.
Where road closures are unavoidable, he said better coordination with Island Roads and other utility providers would be key.
He said: "Where we need to open up the roads, let's make sure we're co-ordinating with Island Roads, gas and electric so that if a road is closed everybody does their work at the same time, which reduces the overall number of roadworks."
Asked why that approach was not already standard practice, he said: "You would think it would be entire common sense, of course.
"The reality is every utility has got its priorities.
"The water companies will be worried about fixing leaks really, really quickly, the electricity companies will want to make sure they've fixed the electricity network to minimise power outages.
"Everybody has their individual priorities that they're trying to work hard on."
While efforts are well-intentioned, he accepts that greater forward planning — particularly for non-emergency works — could deliver improvements for residents.
"If we just stop and coordinate particularly the planned works, we can achieve all of those benefits for customers with less leaks and outages, but in way that minimises traffic jams," he said.
"It's a consequence of lots of good intention but actually if we just stop and work together.
"Let's look forward rather than looking back."
