Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to support high street retailers that have incurred significant losses due to overrunning street works.

Compensation arrangements are already provided through The Gas (Street Works) (Compensation of Small Businesses) Regulations 1996 and the Water Industry Act 1991, which provide for compensation to be paid in certain circumstances in respect of loss or damage caused by gas-related and water-related street works. More widely, we are taking steps to reduce the disruption caused by street works, including the wider application of permit schemes and the piloting of lane rental. Further information about these initiatives may be found at:

www.dft.gov.uk/topics/road-management/street-works