The report is primarily concerned with the impacts and associated indirect costs generated by utility street works. A questionnaire survey was carried out amongst interested parties, including highway authorities and motorist organisations, to determine whether in their view the New Roads and Street Works Act, which came into effect in 1993, had led to a reduction in the disruption generated by street works. Their responses are included in the report. The impact and costs of street works are also considered in some detail, along with methods for their evaluation. An international review was also completed on the legislation governing street works and on the use of trenchless construction methods: a summary is provided in the report. It is concluded that, in the UK, the disruption generated by street works could be much reduced, but substantial benefits might only come from changes to existing legislation. It is also concluded that further research is required to better evaluate the impacts and indirect costs of utility street works, which are currently borne by the community and not by utility companies. (Author/publisher)
Abstract