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<p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government recently published a <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fplan-for-drivers%2Fthe-plan-for-drivers&data=05%7C01%7CMyles.Smith%40dft.gov.uk%7Cf5504a5a663b419c959908dbc9a5fffa%7C28b782fb41e148eabfc3ad7558ce7136%7C0%7C0%7C638325487018038635%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lildbIDK8XMvy9ZlCA6zLX0ym9g2zVz9JfBtNxYDJjQ%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">plan for drivers</a> which included support for further Lane Rental
schemes, which reduce roadworks by incentivising utilities to avoid the busiest roads
at the busiest times helping to reduce inconvenience for residents. The Department
is to consult on requiring local authorities with Lane Rental schemes to use at least
50% of any surplus on pothole repairs or resurfacing poor quality roads and encourages
all local transport authorities to get a Lane Rental Scheme if they don’t already.</p><p>
</p><p>The efficient co-ordination of street and road works is one of the most important
aspects of street works legislation. Section 60 of the New Roads and Street Works
Act 1991 (NRSWA) sets a duty on utility companies to use their best endeavours to
minimise inconvenience to residents when carrying out street works. In 2020 the Department
launched the digital service <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fplan-and-manage-roadworks&data=05%7C01%7CMyles.Smith%40dft.gov.uk%7Cf5504a5a663b419c959908dbc9a5fffa%7C28b782fb41e148eabfc3ad7558ce7136%7C0%7C0%7C638325487018038635%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=WD7v8Eai3f%2B7a2xOJNIB3w7F1dx7u3sztx9oL9XDNvk%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">Street Manager</a> for highway authorities and utility companies within
England to plan and manage street works. To further help utility companies fulfil
their duty to co-operate in this process, a substantial update to the <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fstreet-works-co-ordination&data=05%7C01%7CMyles.Smith%40dft.gov.uk%7Cf5504a5a663b419c959908dbc9a5fffa%7C28b782fb41e148eabfc3ad7558ce7136%7C0%7C0%7C638325487018038635%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iSxcfWNBUYdrAztM9YOxvd4S3eLR9Lcnt4p9EfKLzeU%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">code of practice for coordination of street works</a> was published
earlier this year.</p><p> </p><p>An update to the <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fspecification-for-the-reinstatement-of-openings-in-highways&data=05%7C01%7CMyles.Smith%40dft.gov.uk%7Cf5504a5a663b419c959908dbc9a5fffa%7C28b782fb41e148eabfc3ad7558ce7136%7C0%7C0%7C638325487018038635%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5oJqVT5QqHZO4gzndmKXvdYil%2FhL0s8uwrJbvF5vz58%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">‘Specification of the reinstatement of openings in highways’</a> (SROH)
was also published in 2020, outlining the standards for reinstating streets after
completing street works. Utility companies must reinstate the street once the work
is finished, in-line with these standards. We introduced new regulations in April
2023 that introduced performance-based inspections of reinstatement to improve quality
and compliance.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p>
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