Recommendation 8

The current guarantee period of two or three years for reinstatements after works, the latter being for deep excavations, is too short given that reinstatements should last more than ten years if carried out correctly. The Department should increase the standard guarantee period for all excavations up to five years, as was considered in its 2019 consultation. Utility companies should also face fines for any secondary remedial work that is required to the road or pavement within five years, as a penalty for the unnecessary disruption caused. These policies combined would create a greater incentive for works to be completed by utility companies to the right standard and relieve some of the pressure on highway authorities, which in some cases have to repair poor reinstatements after just two years. (Recommendation, Paragraph 38)