Road permit push
Tuesday July 28, 2009
Utility companies wanting to carry out roadworks could be forced to apply for a permit.
It would mean that street works would be better co-ordinated and controlled by the council, causing less disruption to residents and road users.
H&F Council has led the capital in taking a tough line with utility companies digging up the roads, with a long string of prosecutions under its belt against those doing shoddy work.
Now, with the backing of 17 other London boroughs, it is asking the government to approve plans for a London permit scheme. If approved, the scheme would force companies such as Thames Water and National Grid to buy permits for individual works before they begin digging up roads.
They would also have to carry out works at specified times and follow conditions to minimise disruption to residents. The council would also have the power to refuse a permit if it thought works could be completed quicker than the utilities company estimate, or if the works clash with events or activities in the area.
Utilities who do not have a valid permit could be fined up to £500 or face prosecution.
H&F deputy leader Nicholas Botterill said: "There are almost always major roadworks going on in this borough and, while we understand they are essential, they can make driving, cycling or walking down our streets a miserable experience.
"We are very strict with utility companies in H&F and the London permit scheme would allow us to prevent problems, rather than having to deal with them when the damage has already been done. If utilities are forced to hand over their money upfront, we expect it would stop them taking liberties when they are working in our roads."
H&F Council has, for the last three months, been carrying out a consultation. The final scheme is based on its findings. Under current rules companies only have to give the council or Transport for London a limited number of days' notice before beginning their works. In 90 per cent of cases across London, the highways authority is told less than 10 days in advance of the start of work.
If approved, the permit scheme will be in place by the end of the year.
