Utilities will have to go back and restore roads if potholes develop within five years where they have carried out works, under new government proposals.
The latest edition of the Department for Transport’s Specification for the reinstatement of openings in highways proposes extending the minimum guarantee period for restoring road surfaces where potholes develop.
If a pothole forms within five years as a result of work, it proposes that the company must return to bring the road surface back to normal. The minimum guarantee period is currently two years.
Chris Grayling, secretary of state for transport, said: “Potholes are the biggest enemy for road users and this government is looking at all options to keep our roads in the best condition.
“Road surfaces can be made worse by utility companies, so imposing higher standards on repairs will help keep roads pothole-free for longer.”
The new document, which is out for consultation until 5 April, also contains proposals for allowing the use of new innovative road surfacing.
An example is asphalt with a high bitumen content that is easier to compact to the required density and is therefore less prone to potholing.
Clive Bairsto, chief executive of Street Works UK, welcomed the new guidance but expressed concern about the longer minimum guarantee period.
He said: “Utilities and their contractor partners are committed to undertaking work to the highest standards, with the latest published figures showing that the performance of utilities is significantly higher than local authorities in relation to the quality of reinstatements.
“However, we do not believe that proposals to increase guarantee periods are necessary or will be effective. The government should not take forward proposals unless they are supported by a strong evidence base.
“Utilities and their contractor partners play a vital role in delivering and maintaining vital infrastructure which powers the economy, and it is crucial that any new regulations are proportionate.”
In February last year, minsters rolled out a nationwide scheme under which utilities have to pay up to £2,500 per day to carry out street works on busy roads.