The Transport Committee will investigate the disruption caused by
street works carried out by utility companies, in the first
evidence session of its new inquiry.
Among the witnesses will be groups representing road users – the
AA, the Confederation of Passenger Transport and Transport for
All. In a second panel, MPs will question industry
representatives including Street Works UK, the Internet Service
Providers Association, and Cadent Gas.
In this inquiry the cross-party Committee will scrutinise new
Government proposals that aim to hand more power to local
authorities to coordinate street works, and to minimise the
effect this can have on congestion and damage to road
surfaces.
The cross-party Committee will ask how street works can impact
pedestrians, cyclists and people with accessibility needs, as
well as motorists and bus users.
There will be questions about how works can be better coordinated
between utility companies to reduce the number of times streets
need to be dug up, how timely warning and information can be
provided to road users, and how best practice can avoid delays
and prolonged disruption.
The Committee may also raise evidence it has received from local
authorities that some utility companies may be misusing
‘immediate work permits' for emergency or urgent works, which
enable them to bypass scrutiny from councils.
Witnesses from 09:30
- Jack Cousens, Head of roads policy, The AA
- Keith McNally, Operations director, Confederation of
Passenger Transport
- Emma Vogelman, Head of Policy, Public Affairs, and Campaigns,
Transport for All
From 10:15
- Clive Bairsto, Chief Executive, Street Works (UK)
- Mark Whittaker, Head of Works Quality & Management
Systems, Cadent Gas
- Till Sommer, Head of Policy, Internet Services Providers
Association
