§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what survey by his Department has taken place as to the replacement work undertaken by public utilities on repairs of holes they dig on public highways; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department commissioned a comprehensive review of public utilities street works from a committee chaired by Professor Michael Horne, whose report was published in November 1985. It found that the principal problem with reinstatements was the division of responsibility between the utility and the highway authority, leading to poor temporary reinstatements.
The committee's principal recommendation was that the full responsibility should be placed on the utilities, backed up by a series of recommendations to ensure that they do a good job. The report was generally welcomed and the Government have accepted the great majority of the recommendations.
We are committed to introduce the necessary legislation. We are seeking a suitable opportunity to bring it before Parliament.