The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched the fourth version of the Specification of the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH) which outlines the standards for reinstating streets after completing street works.

Anyone who carries out street works must reinstate the street once the work is finished, in line with these standards.

The fourth, released 2020, edition of SROH officially replaces the 2010 third edition as statutory guidance on 10 May 2021. Until that time companies may either: continue to use the third edition specifications or implement fourth edition specifications, before the official change date, provided agreement is given from the relevant local highway authority.

The main changes to the fourth edition of the SROH are:

• the introduction of new materials to aid compliance with air voids (compaction) requirements
• rationalising the process for introducing innovation, the guidance is more open to innovation to improve the introduction of new materials and methods in street works
• a new specification for micro trenching, crucial for the economic roll-out of broadband but only previously allowed by agreement with each local authority
• permitting the use of large diameter coring, which can reduce a week’s site occupation to around a day but previously was only allowed by agreement with each local authority.

The full guidance is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/883986/specification-for-the-reinstatement-of-openings-in-highways-fourth-edition.pdf