Road Works: Costs
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to local highway authorities and local taxpayers arising from defective utility reinstatement works in each of the last five years.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
The Department does not collect data on the impact of utility works on highway condition or the associated maintenance costs for local authorities.
Highway authorities have powers under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to inspect works, require utility companies to remedy defective reinstatements, and, where necessary, carry out remedial works themselves and recover reasonable costs from the utility company.
Under the performance-based inspections regime utility companies with higher defect rates are subject to more frequent inspections and associated charges, to incentivise compliance with the statutory standards for reinstatement.
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