§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what obligations are placed on water, gas, electric, electricity or other cable or pipe service providers whose equipment is located beneath public bus stops and pavements, other than in emergencies, to(a) inform the police and highway authorities of their intention to excavate road or pedestrian routes and (b) to obtain their permission to do so. [37267]
§ Mr. NorrisUtility street works are governed by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, under which undertakers with a statutory right to execute street works must give advance notice to the street authority of their planned works, other than minor works; in the street, including the footway; the length of notice is prescribed in regulations and varies according to the circumstances. There is no requirement for undertakers to give advance notice of their works to the police but a code of practice issued under the Act sets out circumstances in which the street authority or traffic authority should inform police of planned works.
Undertakers do not have to seek permission of either the street authority or the police, but before executing works in a protected street, the consent of the street authority must be obtained. The Act also empowers the street authority to direct the timing of undertakers' works in certain circumstances. The procedure is set out in regulations.