HC Deb 29 January 1998 vol 305 cc317-8W
Ms Jenny Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on guidance given by his Department to utility companies which engage in trenching in urban areas, to encourage the preservation of mature street trees; and what monitoring takes place of the impact of trenching activities on mature trees. [24871]

Angela Eagle

TheSpecification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways, issued under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, advises utility undertakers executing street works to avoid damage to tree roots, where practicable. Practical guidance on how to minimise damage to trees by utilities' works was issued subsequently by the National Joint Utilities Group in Guidelines for the Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Utility Services in Proximity to Trees (NJUG 10).

No central monitoring of the impact of trenching activities on mature trees is undertaken.