10/11/2025
Sorry I have not really added anything to our group for a while but, one thing we can agree on is the constant repairs on Cuffey Hill and I did Write to Lewis Cocking the MP for Broxbourne is one of the only MP that actually listerns and replies back here is his reply to me when I raised the corcerns of the road works on Cuffley Hill
never-ending
Thank you for contacting me about the never ending roadworks in our area.
I live here and drive on all the same roads as you do. Words can’t describe how annoyed and frustrated I get when I sit in what feels like hours of traffic. I’ve been late to a number of constituency engagements because of the roadworks, so I know just how much of a problem this is.
One of the main reasons I stood to be MP was because I was so fed up about the state of the roads locally. Improving the area for motorists is a big priority for me, and something I have always campaigned for.
Utility companies close a road for weeks causing major inconvenience to the public and when I drive past, I often don’t see any work being carried out. Then weeks later they come along again and dig up the same stretch of road. This incenses me and I will campaign for stricter controls and harsher financial penalties for this.
I raised this issue in Parliament, which you can watch here: https://fb.watch/x6btrrSCzb/
You are right that this isn’t an easy fix, and I don’t have a magic wand to wave and sort it, but I am prepared to do all I can to make the constituency a better place for drivers and my constituents. Believe me, I will not mince my words on this topic.
Communication around roadworks is abysmal. I have written to all the utility companies responsible to ask for them to communicate better and plan the work in a more logical way. Roadworks can be carried out in way that is less disruptive for motorists, and I will not stop pushing for this.
Whilst I can’t fix it overnight, I did lead a debate in Parliament on the subject and constituents’ views to the Minister. I was really encouraged by MPs from all the different parties attending and agreeing that this is an important issue which needs action. I argued that:
‘Hundreds of my constituents have completed my survey to share their experience of the impact roadworks have on journey times.
They have made it extremely clear how disruptive long waits in traffic, caused by roadworks, have been on their daily lives.
I’ve heard about delays to reach elderly parents, carers finding it difficult to carry out their vital duties and children missing out on the start of the school day.
It’s not just car journeys. For many of my constituents, the bus service is a lifeline. And when the roads are gridlocked and buses are inevitably delayed, pensioners in my constituency have told me they’ve simply given up even trying to go out. The knock-on effects of missing serious medical appointments or social isolation are obvious.’
In addition to this, I am proud to be co-sponsoring a new piece of legislation that my colleague Rt Hon Mark Francois MP introduced to Parliament. This aims to add further regulations to roadworks, getting companies to work together rather than digging up the same stretch of road repeatedly, and increasing the fines when roadworks overrun. I said:
‘Local authorities and utility companies must communicate much better between themselves, to coordinate works in a sensible and cost-effective way. It cannot be right that the same stretch of road has to be dug up again and again.
And these organisations have to improve how they communicate with the public. It should be easier to find out why disruption is taking place and exactly how long it should be there. We can’t let it be the case that, as my constituents have experienced, residents wake up to find four-way traffic lights and diversions in place that make it hard to even leave their house.’
Another point to consider is about works from utility companies are that are done under emergency measures, meaning that they give very short notice to Highways, and do not require approval. Because of this, Highways is unable to plan around many of the most disruptive works.
We are told that the problem is urgent and the barriers and traffic lights are in place as an emergency measure, but can it really be an emergency if no workers are on site for such long periods of time?
We really need to tackle the emergency works. If there is a real emergency, we should get the works done as quickly as possible, but when roads are dug up by utilities, which is quite often the case under emergency legislation, it is a real frustration when you drive past and see no-one working on site.
These are all points that I raised in my debate on roadworks. On top of the extracts I have quoted above, if you want to see more, you can see my speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4e6B6saMZ4
I am pleased to see that, after being presented with all this, the Government have begun to realise just how disruptive these roadworks can be. They did announce that they would double fixed penalty notices for utility companies who fail to comply with rules and extend charges for street works that run into the weekend. These measures are welcome, but more action has to be taken.
I will continue to push this issue and will continue raising this with the utilities companies to demand improvements in the Broxbourne constituency.
In the meantime, I have also raised your concerns with Hertfordshire Highways and will forward you a copy of the reply I receive.
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.
Regards
My full speech from a Westminster Hall debate that I led on the impact of roadworks on journey times.
