Red tape cut for road works

A start date has been set for new technology which will make it easier for local councils and utility companies to manage road works.

All councils and utility companies will be legally bound to use the new system - known as the Electronic Transfer of Notices (or EToN) system.

It starts on October 1 but councils and utility companies will be given a six month window to adjust with all authorities expected to be using the new technology by 1st April 2014.

The new technology will mean that more information on the timing and co-ordination of road works can be stored on one computer system.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:  “Nobody likes having their journey disrupted by road works.

"By cutting red tape and making it easier for councils and utility companies to work together, road work can be carried out more efficiently, with considerable savings made to the public purse.

"This will free up time and resources that could be better spent delivering other services that will benefit road users in the future.”

It is estimated that about two thousand hours could be saved by councils and utility companies every week by using the new system, saving industry alone £600,000 a year.

In total, the street works sector is expected to net savings of £14.3m over the next 10 years.

The new technical specification has been published on the Department’s website here