Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2026 to Question 35233 on Road Works: Utilities, what estimate her Department has made of the number of occasions on which the same section of highway has been excavated by different utility companies within a 12-month period; and whether she plans to take steps to reduce repeated excavations.

The Department does not hold an estimate of the number of occasions on which the same section of highway has been excavated by different utility companies within a 12‑month period. The Government is committed to minimising disruption from street works and reducing unnecessary repeat excavations. Existing measures, including permit schemes, lane rental schemes and statutory coordination duties, are intended to reduce repeated works. The Department will continue to work with local authorities and industry to improve planning and coordination and maximise opportunities for collaborative working wherever practicable.