Roadworks

Roadworks in the borough

The majority of roadworks in the borough are carried out by private utility companies to install, renew or repair their equipment. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Cadent Gas
• BT
• Thames Water
• Virgin Media
• UK Power Network

Under New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, utility companies that work on public highways have to comply with requirements including:

• safety of excavations
• reinstatement standards
• qualifications of staff
• notifying the Council of proposed works

Utility companies must obtain a permit from us before they can carry out any works. We receive approximately 12,000 permit applications every year for mainly minor repair works. We are required to report on the performance of operating a permit scheme every three years. 

Read frequently asked questions.

Street works register

We are responsible for co-ordinating and monitoring street works carried out by utility companies.

This includes maintaining a register of all planned street works with information about:

• the utility company doing the work
• planned start and ends dates
• location of the works
• a description of the works

Weekly works bulletin

Every week we publish extracts from the register in our bulletin. The bulletin includes details about:

• major activities happening on the public highway
• details about planned council works, crane operations and other major events

For a more detailed list of all works being carried out in the borough then please visit the Public London Works website.

Transport for London publish their own register of new and updated details about proposed and current roadworks and street related events in Greater London.

View the register.

Monitoring street works

We inspect works carried out by utility companies as part of our monitoring process. Inspections take place at each of three different stages every year. If we find anything wrong, we work with the company to sort out any issues. We can issue a fine if they don't comply. In some cases we can complete the works and charge the company for the costs.

We have limited powers to charge companies for not completing their work in good time. Companies can apply for an extension of time due to unforeseen circumstances. In certain circumstances we can take enforcement action against utility companies.  

We hold quarterly meetings with utility companies, the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London to discuss major planned projects.

Protecting new footways and roads

Under the New Road and Street Act, we can prevent utility companies from digging up a newly resurfaced road or footway for a certain amount of time.

To do this we can serve a Section 58 legal notice on utility companies who carry out works such as:

• Thames Water
• BT
• Virgin Media
• UK Power Networks
• National Grid

The Section 58 prevents utility companies from digging up the road for a period of between 3 to 5 years after the road has been resurfaced or reconstructed. In special cases utility companies can dig up a road if there is an emergency or if they need to provide a new customer service.

Find out about Section 58 restrictions.

Plant enquiries

We do not hold records of underground asset locations owned by utility or private companies. Please contact the individual companies directly if you need information.

We are only responsible for street lighting connections and gully connections which are maintained by the Highways Department. However, these services are short local connections between feeder pillar, lamp columns/illuminated bollards and short drain connections from road gullies to main sewers. Currently precise location records are not available for these services..

Utility contact details

Contact the utility companies if you have any questions about work they are doing.