Department for Transport
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
NEW RULES TO HELP REDUCE ROAD WORKS
New guidance to make sure that companies who dig up the road replace it properly - reducing the risk of potholes forming - was published today by Transport Minister Sadiq Khan.
It is estimated that poorly replaced road surfaces mean there are around 90,000 remedial works each year, adding inconvenience to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The revised Code of Practice published today sets out new methods to provide better quality road surfaces, reducing the chances of potholes developing as well as cutting down the risk that the road will have to replaced a second time.
Today's announcement is part of a package of measures set out by the Government over the last nine months to reduce disruption caused by road works. These include proposals to increase by tenfold the charges for companies whose works overrun, to improve signage and protection of sites and for a tougher street works inspection regime. In addition, the Department has introduced more rigorous testing and training for those who dig up the road as well as approving the first two street works permit schemes - to help councils coordinate and manage works on their roads - and publishing guidance to help other councils put these schemes in place.
Sadiq Khan said:
"Since becoming Transport Minister last year I have made tackling disruption caused by road works a priority. I have set out plans to increase penalties for late running works tenfold and proposed strict new rules to ensure that work sites are properly signed and protected.
"The new Code of Practice I am publishing today will ensure that when utilities dig up the road they replace it properly - reducing disruption as well as the probability of potholes developing."
Last week the Government announced £100 million extra funding for local councils to repair damage to their roads as a result of the severe weather this winter. This builds on the trebling of funding to local authorities over the last 10 years for road maintenance from £265m in 2000-01 to £809m in 2010/11.
The new guidance streamlines the process of getting new materials approved for use and gives advice to contractors on using sustainable working methods such as using more recycled materials when relaying road surfaces. This should lead to an increase in recycled materials being used and so reduce carbon emissions associated with road works.
A consultation on the new Code of Practice finished on 23rd November 2009 and the full document can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/local/streetworks/cop/sroh/
Notes to Editors:
1. The Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH) is a statutory Code of Practice setting out statutory requirements for materials, performance and standards of workmanship for use by utility companies and others when reinstating the highway where they have undertaken street works.
2. The Third Edition of the SROH Code of Practice, published today, has been approved for use in England. It will replace the existing Code with effect from 1 st October 2010. The lead-time will allow street works undertakers and their contractors to prepare for the new requirements, and highway authority inspectors (who inspect the quality of street works reinstatements) to familiarise themselves with the new standards.
3. Publication of the Code follows a full public consultation in late 2009, which attracted over 120 responses.
4. Measures taken over the last nine months include:
A Street works summit with Sadiq Khan, utility firms, councils and road user groups to look at how street works could be better managed to reduce disruption. The country's first street works permit schemes approved for Kent and London. Permit schemes allow councils to require anyone carrying out road works to apply for a permit from in advance and to set conditions on timing, coordination or the amount of road space to be left available to road users during the works.New guidance for councils to help them submit applications for permit schemes.A consultation launched on 1st March 2010 proposing an increase to the maximum daily overrun charge from £2,500 to £25,000 on the most traffic sensitive routes.A new system of compulsory tests every five years to ensure those working in the highway keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Reassessment and retraining will lead to a higher quality of work meaning fewer follow-up repairs.Proposals for a new Safety Code of Practice to improve signing and protection of road works sitesProposals for a tougher regime for local council inspections of Utility Street works sites, focusing on utilities who fail to keep their sites safe or to replace the road surface properly.Publication of a revised Code of Practice on Specifications for the Reinstatement of the Highway including tough new rules on reinstatement of the road and advice on the use of sustainable materials.
Press Enquires: 020 7944 3066
Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292
Public Enquiries: 0300 330 3000
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk
Contacts:
Anna McCreadie
Phone: 0207 944 6898
Anna.mccreadie@dft.gsi.gov.uk
