Managing the impact of street works

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 6 Dec 2024 Closed: 4 Mar 2026 Parliament page
Street works are works carried out by utility companies to install, repair or maintain their services, which involve digging up roads or pavements. (These are distinct from works being done to the road itself). Although necessary to provide utility services, street works can be disruptive to road and pavement users … Read more
7 Recommendations
11 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
1 Letter
3 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
12 Sep
2025
Report published
3 Jul
2025
Report published
30 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
30 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
19 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
19 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
5 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
5 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
8 Jan
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
30 Apr 2025
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Anthony Ferguson · Department for Transport Lilian Greenwood MP · Department for Transport
19 Mar 2025
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Councillor Adam Hug · Local Government Association Jane James · Shropshire Council Kate Carpenter · Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation Kevin Hamilton · Scottish Road Works Commissioner Neil Edwards · Kent County Council Sarah Widdows · JAG(UK) Tony Hemingway · Transport for Greater Manchester
5 Mar 2025
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Clive Bairsto · Street Works UK Emma Vogelmann · Transport for All Jack Cousens · The AA Mark Whittaker · Cadent Gas Limited Mr Keith McNally · Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Till Sommer · Internet Services Providers' Association
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Managing the impact of street works HC 522 3 Jul 2025 18 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
18 results
1 Conclusion Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Street works create widespread disruption and accessibility challenges for road and pavement users.
Street works are essential for many of the services we rely upon, such as running water, energy and internet access, but they can cause widespread issues for road and pavement users alike. Street works can disrupt people’s journeys, including through … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges issues with street works and states that provisions already exist to address them, including regulations for charges on prolonged occupation of the highway. It notes that charges will apply to weekends and bank holidays from December 2024, aiming to encourage best practice and proportionate enforcement.
Department for Transport
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2 Conclusion Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Impose full overrun charges for street works leaving equipment/signs post-completion.
Leaving equipment or signs in place that imply to the public that street works are still ongoing when they have finished should attract a full overrun charge. (Recommendation, Paragraph 22)
Government Response
The government agrees in principle that road closure signage should indicate the exact location but expresses concerns about potential safety risks. It commits to taking the recommendation away for further consideration with safety experts to balance clarity and safety.
Department for Transport
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3 Conclusion Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Ensure all road closure signage specifies exact location promptly for immediate permits.
All road closure signage should specify exactly where the road closure is. When immediate permits are issued, this should be done as soon as reasonably practicable. (Recommendation, Paragraph 23)
Government Response
The government is undertaking an ongoing update to the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice, collaborating with devolved governments and stakeholders. It is preparing to launch a consultation outlining specific changes to improve accessibility during street works, incorporating DPTAC advice, with further improvements to be included based on consultation feedback.
Department for Transport
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4 Conclusion Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Department lacks transparency on DPTAC's impact on street works accessibility safety code.
In our report about accessibility in transport, we asked for more transparency about the impact that the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has on the Department’s decision-making. This is important for providing assurance that policy processes in respect of … Read more
Government Response
The government details a performance-based inspection regime introduced in 2023 for utility companies, which links inspection rates to defect performance. It commits to evaluating the effectiveness of this regime next year and will work with the Scottish government to understand their extended guarantee period for reinstatements.
Department for Transport
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5 Conclusion Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Set out specific changes to Safety Code for improved street works accessibility, incorporating DPTAC advice.
We ask the Department to set out specific changes that have been made to the new Safety Code of Practice to improve accessibility during street works and how advice from DPTAC has been incorporated. (Recommendation, Paragraph 28) 31 Managing the … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to engaging with HAUC to review the existing two-cycle inspection cap, to understand if changes are needed due to evolving operational challenges or new evidence. The aim is to ensure the regulatory framework supports timely and cost-effective repairs and improves reinstatement quality.
Department for Transport
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6 Conclusion Acknowledged
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Department failed to investigate financial impacts of increasing guarantee period despite commitment.
It was disappointing to hear that, having said in 2019 that further investigation was needed into the financial impacts of increasing the guarantee period, the Department has not undertaken any further work on the issues. This is an inefficient use … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines the current oversight and dispute resolution framework for street works in England and commits to engaging with HAUC (UK) to understand if existing processes for dispute resolution, performance monitoring, and legislative application could be enhanced. It also states it will continue to engage with the Scottish government regarding their Road Works Commissioner.
Department for Transport
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7 Conclusion Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Two-year guarantee for street works reinstatements proves inadequate given local authority budget constraints.
Local authority budgets for road maintenance are stretched thin; they can ill afford the expense of making good reinstatements which are not up to scratch. We note the concern about increasing costs being reflected in utility bills, but there is … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing legal frameworks that allow permit scheme fee discounts to incentivise efficient street works and early completion. It commits to engaging with highway authorities to understand how these powers are being used, identify any implementation barriers, and determine if further guidance amendments are needed to ensure consistent and effective use of fee incentives.
Department for Transport
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8 Conclusion Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Increase standard guarantee period for all excavations to five years and fine companies for repeat repairs.
The current guarantee period of two or three years for reinstatements after works, the latter being for deep excavations, is too short given that reinstatements should last more than ten years if carried out correctly. The Department should increase the … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on monitoring the use of immediate permits and updating the Co-ordination Code of Practice for clarity, rather than addressing the recommended increase in guarantee periods for excavations or fines for remedial work.
Department for Transport
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9 Conclusion Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Reinstatement defect inspection process ineffective due to weak incentives for utility companies.
The process whereby authorities inspect reinstatements for defects after works are complete is not working as well as it should be, with weak incentives for utility companies to fix the defects promptly, or at all, once they have been found … Read more
Government Response
The government focused on the existing Street Manager platform's open data for street works and its use by third-party services, rather than addressing the problems with the inspection process for reinstatements or incentives for fixing defects.
Department for Transport
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10 Recommendation Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Introduce timescales, escalating fines for faulty reinstatements, and lift the two-cycle inspection cap.
The Department should introduce timescales for companies to repair faulty reinstatements, with meaningfully increasing fines if they fail to do so on time. The fine should increase each time a deadline has not been met, and the company responsible should … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for review regarding faulty reinstatements and commits to engaging with HAUC to understand if their position on the two-cycle inspection cap has changed or if new evidence warrants revisiting it, rather than directly committing to introduce timescales, increasing fines, or lifting the cap.
Department for Transport
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11 Conclusion Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Existing street works dispute resolution process inefficient, leading to resource-intensive legal disagreements.
The current dispute resolution process does not seem to be working well. Disagreements relating to the interpretation of street works legislation can end up as legal disputes which are resource intensive for authorities and utility companies alike. (Conclusion, Paragraph 53) Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged issues with coordinating street works for new housing developments and committed to exploring options with MHCLG to encourage early sharing of utility connection plans, but did not address the recommendation about improving the dispute resolution process for interpreting street works legislation.
Department for Transport
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12 Conclusion Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Consider establishing a Street Works Commissioner or alternative independent dispute resolution function.
The Department for Transport should consider setting up a Street Works Commissioner in England to help ensure the consistent application and interpretation of legislation, provide an option for independent dispute resolution and monitor performance across the sector. This would provide … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on lane rental schemes as a tool to reduce disruption from street works and mentioned publishing results of a consultation on devolving approval powers for these schemes, completely avoiding the recommendation for a Street Works Commissioner or alternative dispute resolution body.
Department for Transport
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13 Recommendation Deferred
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Consult on amending permit scheme guidance to incentivise earlier completion of street works.
The Department for Transport should consult on amending guidance for permit schemes so that fees incentivise completion of works earlier than the period allowed for by a permit. (Recommendation, Paragraph 57)
Government Response
The government states that the current legal framework already permits authorities to offer fee discounts for early completion of works and incentivise efficient practices. It commits to engaging with highway authorities to understand how these existing powers are being used and to identify if further amendments to guidance are required, rather than directly consulting on amendments as recommended.
Department for Transport
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14 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Consult on amending urgent works permit definitions and introducing fines for permit misuse.
Immediate urgent and immediate emergency permits are an essential tool, but they should be used in situations when there is a genuine need or plan to urgently fix a problem. The Department for Transport should consult on how the use … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the importance of appropriate permit use but states its review of data found no evidence of widespread misuse of immediate permits. It will not consult on amending the definition or introduce fines as recommended, but will work with HAUC to update the Co-ordination Code of Practice to provide greater clarity on when immediate permits should be used.
Department for Transport
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15 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Mandate utility companies to share upcoming work plans earlier, improving coordination with authorities.
Collaboration and coordination of works between utility companies and local authorities relies on sharing information on upcoming works well in advance. There are currently no requirements on utility companies to share plans for their upcoming work with local authorities. The … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that early information sharing is essential but does not accept the recommendation to introduce mandatory requirements for utility companies to share long-term plans, citing existing tools and commercial sensitivity concerns. It will, however, work with the sector to explore wider adoption of best practices.
Department for Transport
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16 Recommendation Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Support development and promotion of apps using accurate open-source data on street works.
Up-to-date information on local street works is essential for the public, whether residents or road users. The Department should support the development and promotion of apps which make use of open source data, and ensure that the data is accurate, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that up-to-date information is essential and states it already provides open data from the Street Manager platform for use by third-party developers, with over 170 organisations actively using it. It will continue to engage with the tech sector and focus on ensuring data quality, but does not believe the government needs to develop or actively promote apps itself given the existing market.
Department for Transport
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17 Recommendation Accepted
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Ensure early notification and coordinated planning of utility connections for new housing developments.
Coordination of street works for new housing developments is not happening as often as it should. The Department for Transport should work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on how best to ensure that authorities are notified … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees there is scope to improve coordination for new housing developments and commits to working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to explore options for encouraging early sharing of utility connection plans by developers and utility companies.
Department for Transport
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18 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Managing the impact o…
Encourage and support more local authorities to implement lane rental schemes without Secretary of State approval.
Lane rental schemes have worked well and can be a useful tool for authorities to manage disruption on their busiest stretches of roads. The Department for Transport should go further to encourage and support more local authorities to set up … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects allowing all local authorities to set up lane rental schemes without Secretary of State approval, citing risks of inconsistency, fragmentation, and potential cost increases for consumers. However, it notes it has consulted on devolving approval powers specifically to Mayoral Combined Authorities and will publish results in due course.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 18 of 7 classified
Accepted 7
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 7
Rejected 3
Total 7 recs + 11 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
8 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to local highways maintenance and street works measure, dated 20 December 2024
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