On the 29th September, the Transport Secretary Mark Harper set out the Government’s so-called “long term plan to back drivers” announcing plans to review guidance on 20mph speed limits and ensure local support for low traffic neighbourhoods. The Government also intends to:

• Stop councils from implementing “15-minute cities” which “aggressively” restrict where people can drive.
• Roll out the national parking platform pilot.
• Continue to address potholes by supporting more councils to introduce more lane rental schemes.
• Extend fines for road repairs which run into the weekend.

Responding to the Government’s announcements, Street Works UK’s CEO Clive Bairsto said:

“Utilities perform a vital role connecting households and delivering a new generation of faster, better and greener infrastructure that will underpin the UK’s future. Our members do this to the highest standards whilst complying with rigorous inspections.

Today’s Plan for Drivers announcement will create more regulations and administration that slows down the delivery of infrastructure and increases the cost of modernising the UK’s broadband, water, energy and heat networks, without addressing the challenges driving the deteriorating quality of the UK’s roads or leading to overruns. If government wants to deliver new utility connections, it needs to work with the industry to simplify guidance, drive consistency across local authorities and provide a long-term plan to address the road maintenance backlog driven by long term underinvestment.

Street Works UK and its members remain committed to working with government to deliver the connections of the future and looks forward to engaging with the government on its proposals.”