To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the maximum time required for the completion of repair work to ensure (a) water and (b) other utilities are maintained during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered on
20 May 2020
We expect utility companies to carry out their works in an effective manner and ensure that activity is carried out on site whenever possible. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, each local highway authority has a "Network Management Duty" to manage its roads effectively to keep traffic moving. The authority is required to coordinate works taking place on their roads, and utility companies have a duty to co-operate with the authority. Most local authorities in England now operate street works permit schemes and will discuss the time needed to complete works with the works promoter on a case by case basis, depending on the type of work and its location, before the permit is issued.
The Department has made no assessment of the time taken by any utility company to complete maintenance work undertaken during Covid-19.