The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) has released 'a roadmap' for mitigating road and street works disruption - calling on Government to 'reconsider' the case for reform.
The new report comes shortly after ministers rejected proposals from MPs on the Transport Select Committee to help ease the impact of road works. Covering similar ground, CIHT lent its weight to the case for change under a 'collaboration first' approach.
CIHT said 'government intervention is vital' and asked ministers 'to reconsider' their response in light of further feedback 'as we believe that many of the recommendations are viable'.
Sue Percy CBE, chief executive of CIHT said: 'This report highlights the challenges and opportunities in managing these works across England’s local highways.
'With increasing demand for road space and the construction of 1.5 million new homes on the horizon, it is vital that those responsible for delivery are supported to ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with future needs.
'CIHT urges policymakers, local authorities, utility providers, and infrastructure professionals to work collaboratively, embrace innovation, and adopt best practice approaches to minimise disruption and deliver long-term value for communities and the economy.”
CIHT recommendations:
• Establish an Independent Works Commissioner for England: A dedicated commissioner would oversee planning, coordination, and quality of works, standardise practices, resolve disputes, and drive performance improvements using data from Street Manager.
• Introduce a more incentivised fines regime: A performance-based system would reward utilities that minimise disruption, with fines scaled according to past performance to encourage better management of works.
• Create a New Immediate-Planned Permit category: This new category would allow earlier notification of urgent works, improving coordination and reducing last-minute disruption.
• Mandate co-ordination meetings and attendance: Statutory requirements for regular local coordination meetings involving all stakeholders—including road user groups—would strengthen collaboration and reduce impact on road users.
• Develop a statutory framework for collaboration: Formal guidance would embed best practice collaboration across all stages of works delivery, supported by adequate funding for local authorities.
• Enhance data planning, monitoring, and evaluation: Improvements to Street Manager and integration with the National Underground Asset Register would enable better use of data, support AI adoption, and ensure data is accessible and standardised.
• Update accessibility guidance in the Red Book: Revisions would incorporate road user experience, align with other traffic management documents, and ensure works are designed and managed to be safe and accessible for all.
CIHT also raised the potential for innovation through joint working, data sharing, and the use of advanced technologies and materials to minimise disruption.
'Innovations such as joint trenching, real-time data dashboards, AI-powered road condition monitoring, and new materials for faster repairs are already delivering benefits in some areas,' it said, urging wider adoption of these practices.
