The Oxford Universities Hospitals’ NHS Foundation Trust has issued this statement on its blog tonight.
Date posted: 07/01/2016
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been informed by partner contractors, Vital Energi that they have decided to temporarily suspend work on the energy pipeline, while they clarify their planning requirements.
The public road, where initial digging has taken place, is being reinstated with a temporary road surface as requested by Oxfordshire County Council in case of work being suspended.
Both the Trust and Vital Energi continue to follow the due processes of approval as outlined by the relevant authorities.
Work on the important energy efficiency and cost saving project will continue within the grounds of the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals sites.
It’s good to know that work on the project will continue elsewhere while the planning issues get resolved.
just to clarify that Oxfordshire County Council wrote to VitalEnergi yesterday morning with an instruction to leave the site, fill the dug up trench and reinstate the road with the temporary surface IF they cannot guarantee that they will be in a position to restart their work today. If VitalEnergi are planning to restart today there is no action needed and the work and closures and suspensions continue as now.
In case they cannot guarantee tomorrows’ return and the road is reinstated and opened, the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order iis not going to be suspended and access will be available. There is no need for suspension of the TTRO nor for Parking Notices as the Order is valid for the period of 18 moths from the start date and is worded in such way that the parking suspension can be implemented as the work progresses. What it means in practice is that the work can commence and finish within this period as long as it will not go beyond 18 month deadline. If it does the promoter of the works must apply for the extension to the TTRO.
With regard to parking in the event of work not continuing, the suspension signs will stay in place but the County will not enforce the suspension on any resident parked in the bays with cars displaying valid permit. Change to the information on the actual suspension sign will be made when work starts again and if an extension of the suspension is required. If however the works will not be restarting within the initial parking suspension time period, as currently shown on the signs, we will then remove all signage and a new application for parking suspension will be required.
I hope that clears the County’s position and action taken.