Councils to get streetworks oversight powers

12 Aug 14
Councils are to be given powers to introduce tighter regulation of streetworks after the government said it would lift restrictions on the use of local permit schemes that are intended to coordinate utility repairs.

By Richard Johnstone | 12 August 2014

Councils are to be given powers to introduce tighter regulation of streetworks after the government said it would lift restrictions on the use of local permit schemes that are intended to coordinate utility repairs.

The Department for Transport today announced it planned to remove the stipulation that town halls wanting to introduce such initiatives had to get approval from the transport secretary.

Following the changes, which are now subject to consultation, authorities will be able to require utility companies, their contractors, and others undertaking roadworks to obtain a permit before starting work.

This will allow councils to co-ordinate works on local roads and direct the way they are carried out in a bid to reduce the impact on communities.

If the change is approved, authorities will be able to make orders to introduce permit schemes from next April following their own local consultation.

The government’s consultation also sets out standard conditions to be used across England to help utility companies that work across a number of different areas.


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