Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether utility companies that excavate private roads in order to carry out works associated with the installation or maintenance of utility services are required to reinstate and repair those roads to an appropriate standard upon completion of the works.

Utility companies are required to reinstate streets following completion of their works. For privately maintained streets, the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways provides that surfacing should be reinstated to match the existing construction as far as is reasonably practicable and to the reasonable satisfaction of the street manager, while requirements relating to backfill and the area surrounding utility apparatus continue to apply.