A responsible roadworks agreement has been signed between utility companies and the City of Edinburgh Council.

The Edinburgh Road Works Ahead Agreement (ERWAA) ensures signatories pledge to ensure roadworks are carried out as smoothly, competently and responsibly as possible, with proper road management arrangements in place.

Representatives from SGN, CityFibre and Scottish Water have signed the document, which also addresses the quality of road 'reinstatements', Health and Safety, coordination of roadworks and performance monitoring and management.

The ERWAA will be reviewed each year and updated every five years to make sure it reflects modern practices and working methods.

Speaking after signing the agreement today, 31 January, Cllr Lesley Hinds said: "As a Capital city, it is essential that our roads and pavements are safe and accessible for all those who live in and pass through Edinburgh each day.

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"Our work with utility companies aims to balance their needs with those who live and work in the city, ensuring roadworks are carried out to the highest standard, with minimum disruption. 

"By signing the ERWAA today, the Council and our partners are making a strong public commitment which will undoubtedly improve the quality of Edinburgh's roads."

However, Ms Hinds added her disappointment only three utility firms have signed the agreement.

"However, although the ERWAA was developed in consultation with all utility companies operating in Edinburgh, I'm disappointed that only three - SGN, CityFibre and Scottish Water - were prepared to actually sign up to it today.

"We hope the remaining utility companies reconsider their position and sign up without delay so that residents and visitors can trust that all organisations carrying out roadworks in the Capital are fully committed to the highest possible standards."

Mark McEwen, General Manager of Customer Service at Scottish Water said: "Customers are at the heart of our business at Scottish Water and any roadworks we have to carry out we try to ensure we cause as little disruption as possible.

"Whether it is in Edinburgh or across any other part of Scotland we try to put customers' interests first before we carry out any work. We are pleased to sign up to this agreement and continue the good cooperation between ourselves, the Council and other utility companies."

(LM/MH)