Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving greater enforcement powers to local authorities in relation to the regulation of roadworks conducted by utility companies.

The Department for Transport recognises the importance of ensuring that street works are carried out safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to road users and local communities.

Highway authorities already have access to a comprehensive set of powers and tools to manage works carried out on their networks by utility companies. These include issuing permits, imposing conditions, inspecting works, applying overrun charges for delays, and levying fines for non-compliance.

To further support highway authorities, the Department has introduced several recent measures, most notably, the doubling of fixed penalty notices for certain street works offences, including breaches of permit conditions. These changes will come into force on 5 January 2026, providing sufficient time for both industry and local authorities to prepare.

The Department remains committed to empowering local authorities to manage their networks in ways that best reflect local needs and priorities. We will continue to engage with stakeholders, monitor the impact of recent measures, and explore opportunities for further improvements or devolution of powers where appropriate.