New guidance to prevent poorly replaced road services

Potholes and road replacement to be reduced.

A revised Code of Practice has been published to ensure companies who dig up the road replace it properly.

It sets out new methods to provide better quality road surfaces, reducing the chances of potholes developing as well as cutting down the risk that the road will have to be replaced a second time.

It is estimated that poorly replaced road surfaces mean there are around 90,000 remedial works each year, adding inconvenience to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The new guidance streamlines the process of getting new materials approved for use and gives advice to contractors on using sustainable working methods such as using more recycled materials when relaying road surfaces.  

This should lead to an increase in recycled materials being used and so reduce carbon emissions associated with road works.

Sadiq Khan said: "The new Code of Practice I am publishing will ensure that when utilities dig up the road they replace it properly - reducing disruption as well as the probability of potholes developing."

Further information:
Department for Transport