§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to raise the minimum acceptable standards of repair for private contractors digging up roads in the United Kingdom in order to lay pipes and cables. [12573]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe standards to be followed by undertakers when reinstating the highway on completion of their works in the street are set out in a national specification published under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. The undertaker concerned is fully responsible for carrying out the work in compliance with 719W the specification, and failure to comply with the reinstatement standards is a criminal offence which can attract a penalty of up to £1,000.
The reinstatement specification is currently under review by the Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee, which represents the main practitioners. The Government will give very careful consideration to any recommendations which the committee makes.