The 'pothole crackdown' aims to 'incentivise' companies to carry out higher quality repairs
Utility companies will be fined for poorly repaired roads, after new regulations which came into force this month.
A new initiative aims to rid our roads of potholes by fining firms who leave highways in a poor state after maintenance work has been carried out. Utility companies will be fined £50 per defect inspection – but if a follow-up visit is needed, they will be charged a further £150.
Currently, the government says it inspects ‘about 30 per cent’ of street works following repairs carried out by utility companies. The new regulations, which came into force on April 1, will mean that companies carrying out good repairs will be visited less often, while the worse-performing will be visited more.
The average failure rate for street works carried out by utility companies stands at nine per cent, but the worst-performing firms are said to have a failed inspection rate as high as 63 per cent. The new ‘pothole crackdown’ will target telecom companies in particular, as this is said to be the ‘worst performing segment’.
The government hopes the fines will ‘incentivise companies to perform better to avoid incurring high financial charges’. In a tweet they said: “Faster and higher quality road repairs will help reduce vehicle damages, saving road users' time and money.”
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Potholes not only cause expensive damage to vehicles but are potentially lethal to those on two wheels. Utility companies have a responsibility to ensure roads are properly repaired after carrying out essential maintenance, but unfortunately far too many roads are left in a substandard condition.
“Introducing new regulations to encourage repairs to be done to a higher standard the first time around will benefit all road users.”
Utility firms will also be required to provide the Department for Transport’s ‘street manager service’ with live information on where and when works are being carried out.
This information feeds into navigation apps to provide more accurate travel information for drivers.
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