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Select Committee · Transport Committee

Managing the impact of street works

Status: Closed Opened: 6 Dec 2024 Closed: 4 Mar 2026 7 recommendations 11 conclusions 1 report

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 and can affect surface quality …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Managing the impact of street works HC 522 3 Jul 2025 18 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
14 Recommendation 2nd Report - Managing the impact of str… Rejected

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 and definition of urgent works could be amended to prevent …

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 …
Department for Transport
15 Recommendation 2nd Report - Managing the impact of str… Rejected

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 Department should introduce requirements for utility companies to share their …

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 …
Department for Transport
18 Recommendation 2nd Report - Managing the impact of str… Rejected

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 lane rental schemes by allowing all relevant authorities to do …

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 …
Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
30 Apr 2025 Anthony Ferguson · Department for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP · Department for Transport View ↗
19 Mar 2025 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 View ↗
5 Mar 2025 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 View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
8 Jan 2025 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to local highways mai…