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17 June 2008
To date, nearly 30 MPs have signed a Commons Early Day Motion that states: "This House notes with concern that too often roads and pavements are dug up by utility companies with little or no co-ordination; recognises the frustration this causes for local residents and businesses; laments the limited powers given to local authorities to direct, co-ordinate and manage this disruption; and calls on the government to invest local authorities with the necessary powers effectively to co-ordinate the digging up of roads and pavements by utility companies."
Now, there's a thing. Perhaps the MPs in question haven't clocked that on the statute book is the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, which sets out the regulatory regime for works in the street. This was amended by the Traffic Management Act 2004, which gave councils the power to issue fixed penalty notices for utilities that fall foul of the rules, rather than having to go through the time-consuming process of taking them to a magistrates' court.
On the other hand, maybe the MPs don't think the new regime is working. Another backbench gripe adding to the administration's woes? Oh dear, oh dear.
Tags: Commons
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