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.
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Department for Transport Website:
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Contacts:
Anna McCreadie
Phone: 0207 944 6898
Anna.mccreadie@dft.gsi.gov.uk