§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment if he will make it his policy to require cable 47W communication installers to restore all pavements and roads to their former standard and to replace trees which die within five years of the installation work. [22730]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorI have been asked to reply.
Cable operators' streetworks are already subject to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and its associated regulations. The Act requires that reinstatement following street works must be carried out to a specified standard, and any defects remedied at the operator's expense. Failure to reinstate is an offence under the Act, as is failure to comply with the prescribed reinstatement standards.
Cable operators are committed to ensuring that the potential for any tree damage is minimised by following best practice when trenching in the vicinity of trees. The cable industry supports the guidelines, published last month by the national joint utilities group, which promote the use of trenchless technology or else hand digging around trees.