22 June 2006
NEW PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE UTILITIES STREETWORKS
A consultation aimed at reducing disruption on roads caused by utilities' streetworks was launched by Roads Minister David Cairns today.
The Proposal for a Draft Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order would update existing arrangements in Northern Ireland and aim to further minimise congestion and disruption on roads caused by works carried out by utility companies..
The Minister said: "The legislation aims to take account of the findings of a report from the Assembly's Public Accounts Committee on the damage caused to the road network by road openings. While I appreciate that utilities have to carry out works in our streets to provide essential services, I intend through these proposals to introduce more efficient and effective management of these works.
"Under the proposed legislation my Department would have the power to require utilities to resurface the road in order to address the damage being caused to the road network by multiple openings. Street works could also be restricted for up to five years following substantial street or road works and utilities could be required not to use particular routes for their works in order to minimise disruption. Utilities could also be charged for the amount of time they occupy the road and payment could also be required for overrunning any agreed period in which works are to be completed.
"The proposed changes will bring the management of these works further into line with arrangements in other parts of the United Kingdom. Consultation on the policy proposals in 2005 confirmed broad public support.
"We welcome views on the proposal for the draft legislation before the end of the consultation period on 15 September."
Copies of the draft Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order and an Explanatory Memorandum are available by contacting Roads Service on 028 9054 0525 and can be downloaded from www.roadsni.gov.uk/consultation/consultation.htm
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Department's proposals for a Street Works (Amendment) Order were outlined in the Department's Policy Consultation Paper in June 2005. While the consultation confirmed general support for the proposals, the utilities were opposed to them.
It is hoped that the draft legislation can be made by the end of the year.
Copies of the consultation document can be obtained by contacting Roads Service by telephone on 028 9054 0525, by text phone on 028 9054 0022, by e-mailing a request to mailto:streetworks@drdni.gov.uk or by writing to:
Primary Legislation Unit
Roads Service
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8GBThe document can also be obtained from the Roads Service Website at www.roadsni.gov.uk/consultation/consultation.htm
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