Maree’s musings

ROADWORKS make ROADS WORK

Our roads and footpaths: we can’t live without them these days. And because they are in constant use, they need continuing ongoing repairs. This is complicated by what lurks beneath: our essential services involving water supply, phone lines, gas pipes, sewer pipes, sundry cables, and more. It’s a relief that these work well, but if anything goes wrong, the problem has to be located and fixed. 

This requires two things. Firstly, having a look, and in the right place. Inspection plates cover holes at strategic sites, and/or have painted signs nearby to make this easy. Secondly, digging up the road, doing what’s required, and resealing on top.  No wonder the asphalt surface frequently resembles a Tetris puzzle.

In preparation for this column, a field trip involving observation, collecting data, research etc [right up my alley, as it were] was required. My street, although fully serviced, is old so maintainence is an ongoing issue, and some earlier repair work is still incomplete. A good choice! Walking the 350m downhill from my home to the corner, I counted about 40 examples, which by my calculations (the celery works!) is about eight per metre.

Firstly, those inspection plates. Every house has three or four: metal, ceramic or plastic; round, square or rectangular, and in a choice of colours including red, sage green and rose pink. Most have labels and opening instructions.  Chorus Channell Pty Ltd (telecommunication) have a finger operated lock (¼ turn – just so you know). I didn’t try it though. 

I found one, helpfully inserted into the gutter, issuing a ‘WARNING! High pressure gas in this area’, and an email address to contact before you dig. The company has plans of all their pipes, which is a relief. A mysterious larger one – maybe a drain cover? – belongs to ‘Humes, made in China, a Class D, unsealed and non-rock’, is dated 2016 and stamped 46kg. Finally created, maybe, by SAI Global, who proudly add it’s a ‘Certified Product’. 

Even with all that information, I have no idea what’s under it but hopefully somebody does. A set of four; all openable separately, are engraved with ‘P.O.’ No date, but evidently predate the Telecom takeover. Another posed a challenge with a diamond design outlining a small stick man climbing hastily out of a hole. 

Every house has a water supply; with meters and taps lurking beneath bright blue covers. Lastly, Fire Hydrants, their location indicated by a plate, a circle, often a triangle and a post (FH 100) – all painted in bright yellow.

         My survey included temporary messages chalked in white or pink where repairs still needed to be done. T260, SRT275, 5.02 with an arrow … others too. Another mystery. The surrounding road cones disappeared long ago. I’m not surprised; they’re so useful.

However, when all’s said and done, I’m very grateful for my road, roadworks and all. For one thing, it’s my path to the world, and for another, a place to meet lovely people. Works for me!