Sadlers Farm contractor: We're sorry (From Echo)
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Sadlers Farm contractor: We're sorry
6:20am Thursday 5th July 2012 in News
THE firm in charge of the £63million Sadlers Farm fiasco has issued an “unequivocal apology” over the delays.
Birse, hired by Essex County Council to take on the mammoth project, finally said sorry during crisis talks.
The roadworks, which have caused misery for thousands of motorists, were originally supposed to finish in the spring, and then by June 27. But still the roadworks remain incomplete.
Birse issued an apology to residents for their role in the ailing project.
Derrick Louis, county councillor responsible for highways andtransportation, said: “There have been some serious issues around the management of the scheme, which we discussed with our contractor at the meeting.
“I had a very frank discussion with senior directors from Birse, and they gave an unequivocal apology for their part in the delays.”
The crisis meeting was held on Monday after county hall bosses raised serious concerns over how the project was being managed.
It has since emerged senior regional and national managers from Birse and their parent company Balfour Beatty have been drafted in to supervise the rest of the project.
Mr Louis last week said he could give no guarantees the roadworks would be finished ahead of the Olympic mountain biking event at Hadleigh Farm on August 11 and 12.
However, he said he had now been given assurances by Birse that it would be finished.
He said: “We have agreed some substantial changes to the programme for work to be completed prior to the Olympics.
“A schedule of work is being finalised and I will be able to provide full details shortly. We do not anticipate any disruption around the Olympic mountain biking in Hadleigh.
“Our priority is getting work completed as soon as possible.”
The two-year work has remodeled the Benfleet junction, removing the notorious five mini roundabouts in an effort to improve journey times.
Contractors have yet to open the A13 to four lanes in each direction.
Comments(15)
Ian P
says...
7:39am Thu 5 Jul 12
I hope County Hall Bosses realise they are equally responsible for this fiasco. If this had been a major project in the manufacturing industry, being funded by private monies, there would have been regular meetings where progress would have been tracked. At the first sign of slippage, recovery actions would have been put in place and closely monitored. Those who miss manage taxpayers money could learn a lot from private industry.
bazaarhorse
says...
7:55am Thu 5 Jul 12
Elephantman2
says...
8:06am Thu 5 Jul 12
EssexBoy1968
says...
8:55am Thu 5 Jul 12
emcee
says...
11:06am Thu 5 Jul 12
It happens with private contracts so why not council contracts?
John T Pharro
says...
11:44am Thu 5 Jul 12
Ian P wrote:Brunning999 no they wont they will get away with it.
"The crisis meeting was held on Monday after county hall bosses raised serious concerns over how the project was being managed".
I hope County Hall Bosses realise they are equally responsible for this fiasco. If this had been a major project in the manufacturing industry, being funded by private monies, there would have been regular meetings where progress would have been tracked. At the first sign of slippage, recovery actions would have been put in place and closely monitored. Those who miss manage taxpayers money could learn a lot from private industry.
Ian P the contractor is a private firm. What they have learnt is how easy it is to fleece Essex County Council. If they were ethical then they wouldn't have taken advantage.
It never ceases to amaze me that Goverments continually shed working jobs like road sweepers, dustman, etc and put the jobs out to tender to private firms who promptly take the money and don't do the job.
Pinnacle is a prime example of getting away with it with Castle Point Council.
Does anyone in Castle Point seriously believe Councillor Challis's claim a few years back our Borough was exceptionally clean?
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
12:45pm Thu 5 Jul 12
Pinnacle is a prime example of getting away with it
yes, much the same goes for this cowboy outfit/quango in Basildon. They seem to be beynd reproach and are totally defendedby the Council even when they are in the wrong. They must have some pretty damning negatives of Tony Ball and/or his mates in compromising situations or the compnay is totally owned by members of the Council for them to get away with their behaviour
soul man
says...
5:55pm Thu 5 Jul 12
Brunning999
says...
6:23pm Thu 5 Jul 12
GentleGiant
says...
7:22pm Thu 5 Jul 12
Why wait until now.
The man should be fired for his part in the fiasco.
sharry
says...
10:05pm Fri 6 Jul 12
let's see it put right
says...
10:48pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Who designed the road layout/traffic lights at tarpots, it's useless.
let's see it put right
says...
10:53pm Fri 6 Jul 12
John T Pharro
says...
6:23pm Sat 7 Jul 12
let's see it put right wrote:I cannot be sure, but about some 10 years ago I went to a meeting at the Council Offices about road development in Castle Point. The consultants were a firm from Canada. When I asked whether a road from Canvey to the Manor Way was considered they had absolutely no idea where I was talking about.
Looking at a map published in the echo in april time. Does anyone get the same impression as i do? It appears that the road layout has been built "upside - down"
Who designed the road layout/traffic lights at tarpots, it's useless.
Brunning999 says...
7:11am Thu 5 Jul 12
EEC must have selected this company thro their preferred customer list and the selector if proven to be negative in that selection MUST either resign OR be dismissed.