Like several others I walked over to All Saints Road this morning to see the start of the Energy Project roadworks. Apart from signs and cones closing off the roads there was nothing happening.

One of the Vital engineers was there with Cllrs Wilkinson and Smith. He said the next step later today would be to install the safety fencing, and then probably tomorrow (Tuesday) work would start digging some trial holes to verify the location of pipes and cables beneath the road.

This phase of roadworks is due to run until 27 January.

For those of you interested in the legality or otherwise of the County Council giving permission for the road closures needed to lay the heatpipe, their Chief Legal Officer’s position statement is given in full on the Headington LibDem Councillors’ website.

ruthwilkinson.mycouncillor.org.uk/2016/01/02/county-councils-position-statement-on-energy-pipe-project/

You should read the whole statement, but to whet your appetite I’ve selected a few quotes:

Clearly officers considered they should have done more and you have received an apology.  I am not sure I can add much to that.  I believe the County did urge the Trust to undertake consultation as they are the key players in this Scheme.

Vital Energi are a licensee, not a statutory undertaker.  Having said that, it is a condition of the licence that they abide by the provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act.

… the granting of a licence is a function delegated to officers. … [It] would not be a key decision which requires an Cabinet/Executive decision.

The ownership of the subsoil and notification that may need to be made to the owners of that is, as I say, a matter for the Trust undertaking the work.

… the County has agreed that affected residents may apply for Visitors Permits to park in adjoining streets, outside of their designated Controlled Parking Zone.

 

There’s some good news for residents affected by the Hospital Energy Project road closures. As discussed at the recent liaison meeting, the Trust has now confirmed that people can apply for up to 25 free visitors’ parking permits for their own parking zone or a neighbouring one. Details on the Trust website.