Local highways maintenance transparency report

Street Works

We collaborate closely with:

  • utility companies
  • developers
  • private licence holders undertaking works on our highway network

This cooperation promotes collaborative working. It helps to prevent:

  • repeated implementation of traffic management
  • unnecessary disruption caused by multiple instances of road excavation

As part of this effort, we launched the Lincolnshire street works charter on 1 September 2023. The charter is a commitment to drive positive change. It ensures works are completed safely while minimising disruption and is the only one of its kind in the UK. It has been signed by 12 major utility companies along with our contract partners, responsible for our maintenance and improvement works.

Each organisation that has signed the charter has appointed a champion. They ensure the aims and objectives are integrated throughout their operations and with their contract partners.

We take coordination of street works seriously, along with a keen focus to:

  • protect our highway assets
  • use all available powers under the following acts, to minimise disruption:
    • New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991
    • Traffic Management Act 2004
    • Highways Act 1980

On a day-to-day basis, we achieve this through the following actions:

  • Developer collaboration: we encourage collaborative working at developer sites. This minimises the impact on the highway, both in terms of asset integrity and disruption. We have involved developers in our Street Works Charter discussions to foster an understanding of how such collaboration can be achieved.
  • Use of Section 58 restriction notices: for major schemes involving substantial resurfacing or construction, we issue Section 58 notices. This prevents planned works for a period of two or three years. These notices are published on our website and Street Manager to give works promoters visibility of areas where works cannot take place. Where utility work is exempt, we evaluate the impact on a case-by-case basis. Where appropriate, we negotiate for enhanced reinstatement to benefit the long-term durability of the highway.
  • We operate the Lincolnshire Permit Scheme to foster effective coordination of works on the highway. With over 70,000 permit requests each year, we aim to reduce repeated visits to the same streets. A 30% permit fee discount is available to utility companies that work collaboratively.
  • We use third-party systems, such as One.Network. This allows us to gain greater visibility of previous works and their impact when assessing permit applications.
  • Forward planning notices: we encourage works promoters to use forward planning notices to increase awareness of upcoming major works. We are developing a map-based portal that will allow all organisations working on the highway to view major works across the county, with the intention of promoting collaborative planning for new development sites.
  •  We have developed a forward programme brief system. It uses our asset management system and Power BI. This system shares details of major projects, including utility works, with all stakeholders. It fosters collaboration and prevents conflicts with planned maintenance works.
  • We carry out comprehensive inspections at all stages of street works. This includes performance-based inspections and additional routine inspections. This ensures the reinstatements that are most impactful if they fail are checked before their guarantee periods expire. Inspections are also carried out at weekends to ensure compliance with standards.
  •  We implement a thorough investigatory core testing regime. This ensures that newly reinstated surfaces meet the correct specifications. It is especially important for immediate or connection works by utility companies.Where non-compliance is found, we issue:
    • fixed penalty notices
    • defect notices
    • Section 74s

 If a works promoter fails to complete remedial work following a defect notification, we will:

  • complete the necessary remedial work
  • recharge the promoter where appropriate

Additionally, we contribute to local and national working groups, such as the Joint Authorities Group and the Highways and Utilities Committees (HAUC). This promotes the importance of effective planning, with the Lincolnshire HAUC coordination meeting taking place every quarter.

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