WITH months of congestion, angst and anger caused by roadworks at Bushey Arches coming to an end, Watford Council is taking action to stop the same thing happening again.

It will lobby the Government to review the powers the utility companies have.

Currently, companies responsible for gas and water pipes, electricity cables, and television links, are allowed to dig up roads with as little as one week's notice that work is going to start.

Liberal Democrat councillor Dorothy Thornhill has led the demands for an end to the system.

She said: "People are shocked when they realise that the companies have got this power."

Her calls were backed unanimously by the council, and endorsed by MP Claire Ward.

Miss Ward said the power of companies to do as they please was an out-dated hangover from the time of public-owned companies.

She said: "They are no longer national public utilities now. Times have changed. That is something that has to be taken into account."

The move follows months of disruption to traffic because of roadworks at Bushey Arches.

Councillor Thornhill said she had not forgotten the fight with National Grid over the work.

She said: "This is about unfinished business that was started months ago when the council refused permission for National Grid to dig up Oxhey Green."

That move sparked a series of events that culminated in an attempt by Watford Council and Hertsmere Borough Council to stop the excavators moving in.

A spokesman for National Grid defended the company. He said: "We work under the auspices and direction we get from various ministers and we work to the laws that are in place. That is all we can do."

National Grid say work at Bushey Arches will be finished by the second week of November.

October 30, 2001 15:30