Road works by utility and telecom companies
Timing and frequency of road works
We do not have the authority to prevent utility companies from digging up roads. Under powers granted to them by government, companies have a legal right to maintain existing pipes, cables, cabinets, poles etc and install new ones. We have a permit scheme to help coordinate and manage road works more effectively. This allows us to regulate things such as work timings and durations and set certain conditions. We aim to co-ordinate works and minimise delays for residents but must adhere to national legislation and codes of practice set by central government.
Work by different companies on the same road
Utility companies have legal powers granted directly to them by central government. We ensure that utility companies coordinate their work by offering incentives such as reduced fees and charges. We also meet regularly with representatives of the utility companies to encourage them to work together to reduce disruption for residents.
Emergency and urgent work
Emergency and urgent work is often required to repair gas and water leaks and to restore the supply of electricity, telephone, and broadband services quickly. Emergency works involve road closures or temporary traffic lights.
Emergency works can also clash with ongoing planned work, which can make the situation on our roads even more disruptive and frustrating for residents and businesses.
Utility companies have the power to determine whether work is classed as an emergency. They are not legally required to give us advance notice of emergency work taking place.
We often only become aware of emergency work when residents are already experiencing delays to their journeys.
We do everything possible to minimise disruption as a result of emergency work, monitoring it closely to ensure utility companies complete work as quickly as possible. If we feel that this is not happening, or that the work is not a genuine emergency, we can challenge utility companies to ensure residents suffer as little disruption to their journeys as possible.
Road works after the road has been resurfaced
We do everything it can to avoid this through planning work with utility companies and others.
Emergencies such as gas and water leaks, loss of electricity supply, and telecoms failures do happen and require immediate attention.
These events are unpredictable and can mean newly surfaced roads are sometimes dug up soon after they have been resurfaced.
Road works taking longer than planned
Unfortunately work does sometimes exceed the planned duration. Sometimes this cannot be avoided, and we work with utility companies to ensure work can be completed as safely and quickly as possible.
The average duration for road works is 3 days.
If utility companies exceed the agreed duration, we can impose a daily charge of up to £10,000 per day.
Speaking to residents
Utility companies are legally responsible for the work they carry out. However they are not required by law to inform residents and businesses when they carry out the work.
Before large or disruptive work starts, advance notice will be given including:
- Notices placed on the streets effected
- Information shared on social media
- Notices in local newspapers or radio
We also share information on our Road Works Bulletin, and the One Network.
Traffic management
Responsibility for arranging traffic management
The utility company or their contractor carrying out the work is responsible for the type of traffic management required.
They are legally responsible for the traffic management and ensuring the safety of the people carrying out the work as well as highway users. We review and challenge proposed traffic management to ensure any negative impact is minimised.
Removal of traffic management after road works
Removal of traffic management for example, temporary traffic lights, is the responsibility of utility company or their contractor carrying out the work.
We challenge utility companies when traffic management is not removed.
We can impose a charge or fine on the utility company or require them to remove the traffic management straight away.
Road works by broadband and telecom providers
This type of work is being carried out in order to fulfil the government's policy of improving the availability of superfast broadband to homes and businesses, particularly in rural areas, as well as tackling poor digital connectivity in urban areas.
Telecoms companies or providers are granted powers by government to install their broadband infrastructure into and onto the highway network.
Telecoms companies or providers require a permit from us to carry out work on the highway. This does not allow us to prevent work from taking place.
Infrastructure placed on the highway, including telegraph poles and metal cabinets for example, do not normally require planning permission. Telecoms companies or providers can decide where they place their infrastructure, or whether it is under or over ground.
When we become aware of this type of work we ask the companies to write to residents ahead of work starting.
We do not have the authority to force them to do so or ask them to stop the work if notice is not provided to residents.
Instead, the 'permitting regime' facilitates coordination with other work that might be taking place in the area and enables inspection and charging regimes to be undertaken by the county council.
Likewise, in terms of any cabinets or poles etc that might be placed on the highway the positioning of those is governed by a national code of practice rather than being something for which the providers are required to seek the county council’s permission. The code seeks to ensure that there is no obstruction of sight lines and that minimum footway widths are maintained for example. However, these companies don't need to follow this code and it is the responsibility of OFCOM to regulate these companies.
Telecoms companies or providers follow national guidance for positioning of telecoms infrastructure (poles and cabinets). They do not need to seek permission from us. It is the responsibility of OFCOM to regulate these companies.