DfT backtracks on 5-year guarantee in new street works code

22/05/2020 | DOMINIC BROWNE

The Government has published a new version of the statutory code of practice for street works, and quietly backtracked on initial plans to increase the guarantee on road openings from two to five years.

The Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH) is a statutory code of practice last updated in 2010 - since then the code had become dated and was leading to disputes.

As part of the update, the Department for Transport under Chris Grayling saw the opportunity to help authorities deal with the maintenance backlog by placing more responsibility on utilities companies when they dig up and reinstate the road.

The idea was the provide a five-year guarantee for reinstatement works, a major cause of road failure, forcing companies to come back if the road showed defects.

The consultation on the plans revealed that the sector was split down the middle on the issue between utilities and local authorities - with utilities getting their way.

Exactly 50% of respondents felt the guarantee period should be left as it is, with 47% calling for it to be increased.

The Department for Transport said: 'There was roughly an even split between those who wanted to leave guarantee periods as they are (mainly utilities) and those who preferred to see them increased to 5 years (mainly authorities).

'The response from the utilities showed that there are some important issues that need to be investigated before changing the guaranteed periods can be considered because of the potential for unintended consequences. It has therefore been decided that the guaranteed periods should remain as they are until further work on the financial impact of implementing such a change can be carried out.'

The fourth edition of the SROH officially replaces the 2010 third edition as statutory guidance on 10 May 2021.

Until that time companies may either continue to use the third edition specifications or implement fourth edition specifications, before the official change date, provided agreement is given from the relevant local highway authority.

The document outlines the standards for reinstating streets after completing street works. Anyone who carries out street works must reinstate the street once the work is finished, in line with these standards.

One of the biggest changes that has been carried out is to allow alternative materials to be used to aid compliance with air voids (compaction) requirements.

'Utilities often claim that it is not possible to guarantee compliance 100% of the time using currently permitted materials and this appears to be borne out by the failure rate of street works reinstatement,' DfT noted.

'This is owing to the difficulty in compacting these materials by hand lay methods. We propose to allow the use of alternative materials that are inherently easier to compact. Although they are slightly more expensive, the additional cost is expected to be insignificant compared with that of having to return to site to re-do the reinstatement.

'These alternative materials are based on case study evidence from utility companies that started using proprietary asphalt materials developed in conjunction with the materials supply chain,' the DfT said.

Other key changes:

  • a specification for micro trenching is included but it is stipulated that approval for use of the technique must first be obtained from the highway authority.
  • infills to be subject to a one-year guarantee period only where needed as a result of an existing uneven surface. PMMA included as an alternative option, subject to authority agreement.
  • rationalising the process for introducing innovation - 'the guidance is more open to innovation to improve the introduction of new materials and methods in street works'
  • a new specification for micro trenching, crucial for the economic roll-out of broadband but only previously allowed by agreement with each local authority
  • permitting the use of large diameter coring, which can reduce a week’s site occupation to around a day but previously was only allowed by agreement with each local authority

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Hire Desk Operative

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Well-developed IT skills and an excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite are required. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver - WMF2214e

£28,598 - £29,540
Applicants must hold a current full LGV Class C driving licence Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (2 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,989 - £26,458 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Engineer - Public Realm

£28,624 - £36,124
We are looking for a Senior Engineer to support the development Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Mobile Cleansing Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
We’re seeking a permanent Mobile Street Cleansing Operative to join our dedicated team serving a variety of urban and rural locations Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for experienced Roadworker/LGV Drivers High Peak, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer - Hosting and Security

£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within our Hosting and Security Team for an experienced, enthusiastic, and flexible Engineer, with the aim of helping to ensure t Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Senior Engineer - Highways Safety

£28,624 - £36,124
Senior Engineer - Highways Safety Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

HGV & Municipal Vehicle Technician

Scale 5 (scp 16-19) £30,518 to £32,061 pa
An LGV category C driving licence is an essential requirement, as is a National Craft Certificate Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recruiter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Head of Parking

£86,274 - £89,667
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure

£115,958 - £120,407
Dumfries and Galloway Council is ambitious for our region. Dumfries and Galloway
Recruiter: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Shape the Future of Highways
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Waste and Recycling Manager

£64,355.20 - £70,397.60 per year
As Waste and Recycling Manager your role will be to oversee and manage the Waste Management Services Contract Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
Recruiter: Aberdeen City Council

Director of Streets and Environment

£129,901 - £135,064
This is an exciting time to be joining Croydon. Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Croydon Council

Highway Maintenance Manager

£59,568 - £66,801
As our Highway Maintenance & Drainage Manager Civic Centre, Keynsham
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Director of Transport

£103,292 - £114,280
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Economic Development

Grade 14 £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and shaping a sustainable future? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Major Projects Manager

Grade £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Do you want to make a real difference to ‘place’, be the driving force behind major capital projects and directly impact people’s lives? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highways Network Engineer - WMF2169e

£45,091 - £46,142
This position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience and effectiveness of our highway network. Kendal,Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW