§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the continuing deterioration of road surfaces and the dangers to all road users, whether he will issue a circular to local authorities regarding the need for regular systematic checks of all road surfaces and to commence immediate repairs to those sections showing signs of deterioration.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:A recent national survey conducted by local authorities reveals no evidence of any general deterioration in road conditions. Local authorities are well aware of the need to inspect and repair their roads and require no advice from this Department.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a direction to all statutory authorities which undertake repairs to their pipes, sewers, supply lines and so on, and in so doing disturb road surfaces, to ensure that the standard of reinstatement is markedly improved and that their contractors be obliged to make regular visits to sites of such repairs to keep the road surfaces in a safe state until such time as the local authorities are prepared and able to effect a permanent repair.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:The duties of statutory undertakers to reinstate any road 130W they break open are prescribed in the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950. The Department has already published a guide to that legislation and a model agreement and specification for reinstatements which provides nationally-accepted standards and procedures which are at the moment adopted by about one-third of local managements across the country.
I realise that there is cause for dissatisfaction in practice but our Department has a standing committee of all highway authorities and statutory undertakers to try to encourage better cooperation and application of the legislation.