Government action to tackle road works disruption

A package of measures to tackle the disruption caused by road works was announced by Transport Minister Sadiq Khan today as he approved the country’s first ever road works permit scheme.

Road user groups, utility companies, bus operators and local authorities will be called to a road works summit hosted by Ministers and a new system of compulsory tests for those working in the highway will be introduced.

Kent residents will be the first to benefit from a pioneering permit scheme to give the council more power to coordinate road works and take tough action when road works overrun.

Sadiq Khan said: “Everyone understands that road works are necessary to keep essential infrastructure in good order, but this should not mean constant inconvenience to the travelling public. Local authorities and utility companies must up their game.

"As a Londoner I am very aware of the massive disruption caused by road works. I have already visited work sites in London with my officials and this has reinforced for me how vital it is that we make it a priority to tackle contractors who show a blatant disregard for the needs of road users. I know that the same problems occur everywhere and I intend to visit work sites around the country to see for myself the problems that are caused and find examples of best practice which can be applied elsewhere to reduce disruption.

“Councils and utility companies must have a joined up approach and co-ordinate work so that disruption is kept to an absolute minimum. I am fed up with excuses about why we can't do road works better.

“I am therefore particularly pleased to give the go-ahead for the country’s first permit scheme. I want Kent to blaze a trail for other councils to follow.”

The measures announced today are:

The country's first street works permit scheme in Kent. This will allow the county council to require anyone carrying out road works to apply for a permit from the council 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.

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.

The Department for Transport will host a summit later this year with road user groups, representatives of utility companies, bus operators and local highway authorities to examine how street works could be better executed to reduce inconvenience to those using the roads.