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
3 results
Clear
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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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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