Roadworks by utility companies
Responsibilities for roadworks
This page describes how we deal with roadworks carried out by utility companies (such as water, gas, electricity).
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All utility companies working on the public highway have a legal right to carry out works to provide and maintain their services. The companies are required to notify us each time with information on the type and location of the work as well as how long it is expected to take. We received over 10,000 works notices last year.
We currently have limited powers when dealing with utility companies and we have little influence over their intention to dig up roads and pavements. They can notify us of their works as late as two hours after work has started (for emergency works). For major works, we attend site meetings with the utility company involved but our role is to provide advice to minimise disruption to the road network and is not authoritative.
We do have the power to fine utility companies that do not complete their works within the agreed time. The charge depends on the type of road and type of work carried out, and can range from £100 to £2000 per day. We put the money received from these fines into maintaining the borough’s highways.
We monitor the work done by utility companies but we welcome information from the public about unfinished, untidy or dangerous roadworks.
