§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken to ensure that road surfaces are completely repaired after roadworks.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSection 41 of the Highways Act 1980 imposes a duty on highway authorities to maintain public highways. It is for each highway authority to decide what specific measures should be taken in pursuance of that duty.
The conduct of statutory undertakers' street works is governed by the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 and there is a model agreement and specifications for reinstatements. That document, however, is not mandatory, and my right hon. Friend and I consider that, if it were adopted more widely, the quality of reinstatements could be improved. My Department is pursuing this matter with representatives of the statutory undertakers and local highway authorities.