The Transport Committee is investigating the disruption caused by street works carried out by utility companies, in the first evidence session of its new inquiry.
The AA, the Confederation of Passenger Transport and Transport for All are among the witnesses representing road users, with representatives including Street Works UK, the Internet Service Providers Association, and Cadent Gas also questioned.
In this inquiry the cross-party Committee will scrutinise new Government proposals that aim to hand more power to local authorities to coordinate street works, and to minimise the effect this can have on congestion and damage to road surfaces.
The cross-party Committee will ask how street works can impact pedestrians, cyclists and people with accessibility needs, as well as motorists and bus users.
It will look at how works can be better coordinated between utility companies to reduce the number of times streets need to be dug up, how timely warning and information can be provided to road users, and how best practice can avoid delays and prolonged disruption.
The Committee may also raise evidence it has received from local authorities that some utility companies may be misusing ‘immediate work permits’ for emergency or urgent works, which enable them to bypass scrutiny from councils.
(Picture – Yay Images)
