4 July 2005
CONSULTATION ON STRONGER LAWS FOR UTILITIES
Roads Minister, Shaun Woodward, launched a consultation document on proposals to strengthen laws controlling utilities excavating public roads.
The Minister said: "I know that road users are concerned about delays and congestion when utility companies undertake work in public roads and footpaths, to install or maintain their equipment.
"I believe these proposals will tackle this by giving the Department for Regional Development similar powers to those recently introduced in England and Wales."
The proposals include provisions that would:
- require utilities to pay for the time they occupy the road while carrying out their works;
- make utilities obtain a permit before carrying out any work;
- give the Department powers to require utility works to be carried out on particular days or at particular times, or to apply other conditions aimed at minimising traffic disruption;
- allow the Department to require the utility to resurface an entire lane, rather than making a patch-type repair; and
- prevent utilities from digging openings in streets that have recently been resurfaced.
Copies of the document are available to download from the Roads Service website by clicking the consultation link at www.roadsni.gov.uk or from Roads Service Headquarters, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GB, telephone 028 9054 0433 or textphone 028 9054 0022.
Copies of the document in Braille, audiotape, large print, computer disk, or in minority ethnic language may also be obtained from this address.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The consultation document "Proposal for a Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order" was published on Thursday 30 June. The consultation period ends on 30 September 2005.
The proposed arrangements will require new primary legislation and it is intended that it can be put in place by early 2007. The proposals largely mirror those recently introduced in England and Wales under the Transport Act 2000 and the Traffic Management Act 2004.
Media queries to Emma Flynn Davies, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel: 028 9054 0007
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