Written question asked by Olivia Blake (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Simon Lightwood (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Road Works

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the national standards that utility companies are required to follow for roads and pavements, including reviewing section 58 of the Highways Act 1980 to reduce the requirement for a resurfaced area to be 30m long before protections apply, and for protections to apply where works have been undertaken by private companies.

Answer: Restrictions on street works following substantial road works are provided for under section 58 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. The criteria for applying those restrictions, including the circumstances in which road works qualify as substantial road works, are set out in secondary legislation. The Government keeps the operation of the street works regime under review and works closely with local highway authorities and utility companies to ensure that works are carried out in a way that minimises disruption to road users.

Secondary information