New regulations are due to come into force to implement the performance-based inspection regime for street works that the Government announced last year, along with new requirements for users of the Street Manager system.
Under the new ‘street works regime’ for England from 3 April, utility companies will be assessed on the quality of their reinstatements, with the best companies inspected less and the worse-performing companies inspected more.
Firms that leave behind roads in poor condition could see 100% of their street works inspected.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said that, with highway authorities now charging £50 per defect inspection and a further £120 for follow-up inspections, poor performing companies will now be incentivised to perform better.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said: ‘The new street works regime is a victory for all road users, with motorists and cyclists able to enjoy smoother, safer, and less congested journeys.’
Utility companies and local authorities will now be required to provide the DfT’s street manager service with more up-to-date and accurate data on live works, including at weekends.
Companies will be asked to provide information about when works start and stop at weekends and all local authorities must share start/stop information about their works.
The DfT said this will update sat navs and other apps so motorists are aware of where street works are and can avoid those areas. It added that other reforms in the inspection framework will help telecoms operators roll out broadband nationwide.
‘As one third of all street works are carried out by telecoms operators, the plans will also help speed up broadband rollout across the country by removing restrictions on works for new customer connections. ‘
New statutory guidance for highway authorities operating street works permit schemes comes into force on Monday (3 April).
