Road works disruptions get tougher penalties

Date: 5/3/2010

Firms who allow their road works to run over could face penalties of up to £25,000 a day, according to transport minister Sadiq Khan.

There are also proposals for a tougher inspection process which would allow local councils to charge utility companies for inspecting road works.

"The new charges and tougher inspection regime will provide a strong incentive for utilities to finish works on time or pay for the disruption they cause," said Mr Khan.

The newly proposed penalty fee is ten times the current £2,500 maximum daily charge and utilities firms are not allowed to pass the cost of charges onto their customers.

These proposals are part of the Department for Transport's street works action plan published in December 2009.

The action plans are to be followed by announcements on how to improve road works sites in the Safety Code of Practice.

Mr Khan adds that delayed road works cost the economy £4.2 billion a year.