New regulations aimed at cracking down on utility companies ensuring they resurface roads to the best possible standard after street works, come into effect from tomorrow.
The new ‘performance-based inspection regime’ will potentially prevent thousands of potholes from developing saving drivers in Swindon and across the country both time and money.
Under the new regime, utility companies will be assessed on the quality of their road repairs after carrying out street works, with the best companies inspected less and the worse-performing companies inspected more, based on their performance – with the worst offenders having 100% of their street works inspected.
Currently, about 30% of utility companies’ street works are inspected, regardless of how well those street works are carried out.
From tomorrow, highway authorities will start charging £50 per defect inspection with any follow-up inspections charged at £120.
The telecoms sector, which is reportedly responsible for nearly 13% of poor street work repairs, will start out being checked more regularly until there are noticeable improvements in the way the roads are left.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “We’re investing more than £5.5 billion over this Parliament to maintain roads up and down the country, and these measures are yet another example of how this Government is on the side of motorists and other road users, leaving no stone unturned in the fight against the plague of potholes.”
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Utility companies have a responsibility to ensure roads are properly repaired after carrying out essential maintenance, but unfortunately far too many roads are left in a substandard condition.
“Introducing new regulations to encourage repairs to be done to a higher standard first time around will benefit all road users.”
