Written Question·Department for Transport·UIN 43243
Road Works: Utilities
Tabled: 1 April 2025
Answered: 7 April 2025
Question
Adam Dance
Liberal Democrat — Yeovil
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to increase local authorities' powers to inspect roads that have temporarily been reinstated by utility companies conducting roadworks more frequently.
Answer
Lilian GreenwoodLocal highway authorities already have powers to inspect both temporary and permanent reinstatements for compliance with the DfT's technical standards (the specification for the reinstatement of openings in the highway). Since 2023, a performance-based inspections regime has been in place which means those companies who fail inspections are inspected more than those who comply. As companies pay for inspections, there is also a strong financial incentive for them to meet standards.