Select committee: Transport Committee

Recommendation 16

2nd Report - Managing the impact of street works Published 3 Jul 2025 Addressed to Department for Transport
Recommendation (the committee's words)
Up-to-date information on local street works is essential for the public, whether residents or road users. The Department should support the development and promotion of apps which make use of open source data, and ensure that the data is accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. (Recommendation, Paragraph 70)

From: Transport Committee, 2nd Report - Managing the impact of street works (HC 522), 3 July 2025

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 12 September 2025 (deadline 3 September 2025).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government says it "welcomes" the Committee's report and responds to each recommendation, generally agreeing with the aims while mostly favouring review, evaluation and engagement with industry over the specific changes proposed.

  • On overrun charges for leaving signs in place, it agrees that doing so "can cause unnecessary disruption" but says a full charge "may not always be appropriate in every circumstance". It will review whether the £100 reduced charge "remains proportionate and effective".
  • On reinstatement guarantee periods, it says it is right to evaluate the 2023 performance-based inspections regime "before considering the need for further changes", and will evaluate it "next year".
  • On a Street Works Commissioner, it says a new arm's length body "appears inconsistent" with its review of such bodies, but it remains "open to exploring ways to improve the existing system" and will engage with HAUC (UK).
  • On lane rental, it says extending powers universally could lead to "an inconsistent and fragmented approach". It consulted on devolving approval powers to Mayoral Combined Authorities and will publish results and next steps "in due course".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error