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
7 results
Clear
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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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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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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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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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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