County council tightens rules for utility company roadworks

When utility companies complete work on paved streets they often make the area safe with temporary repairs that do not match the paving stones of the street and cause an eyesore. They are legally allowed a period of up to six months to fix this and complete permanent repairs, but the council is bringing in new measures to speed up this process, to protect the special character of the county’s streets.

It’s already the utility company’s responsibility to have appropriate plans in place to put things right and the council can’t refuse emergency works such as water leaks or gas repairs, which demand faster action.  However, in future, any planned works in city or town centres with specialist paving will not be permitted to start until the contractor has shown they have the correct paving slabs in store. 
 
To make a positive start to the new approach, this week Gloucestershire Highways will start work in Cheltenham town centre to replace older temporary repairs with matching paving stones, to maintain the original style of the pavements.

Cllr Dom Morris, cabinet member for highways and flooding, said: “This is one of many steps we’re taking as part of our Highways Transformation Programme to crack down on utility companies who cause disruption on our roads.  We are raising standards to protect our streets and create better journeys for everyone in Gloucestershire.”