Public Utilities
Frequently Asked Questions
This page offers advice on the following:
Where?
Equipment can be placed on any highway route.
There are some limitations on the utilities in streets
designated as "Streets with Special Engineering Difficulty". These
streets contain special features such as bridges, culverts and
historical items or special construction and works must be
carefully planned and executed to prevent damage.
When?
Limitations exist where streets are designated as "Traffic
Sensitive". National criteria exist for defining these streets that
is essentially linked to high volumes of traffic or the physical
layout of the road.
Limitations, that may be seasonal, take the form of restricting
working to night or away from peak flow times i.e. on main roads
much of the work is carried out away from the summer and out of the
times of peak traffic flow.
Traffic sensitivity does not necessarily stop a utility carrying
out works during a traffic sensitive period but it does require an
increased notice period.
There are powers for the Street Authority to ensure there is no
clash with, say, a major sporting event i.e. Bath Half
Marathon.
Can the Council Stop New
Roads being Dug Up?
Utilities are contacted 3 months in advance of any major
surfacing works so that they can co-ordinate works prior to the new
surface being laid.
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Restricting Works on New Surfaces
Bath & North East Somerset Council have powers to issue a
section 58 notice relating to new road surfaces.
If this is notice is issued, then under Section 58 of the New
Roads and Street Works Act 1991, utilities are prevented, except in
the case of an emergency or when linked to their charter for
customer service connections, from digging up the road for 12
months.
Why Don't Utilities
Share Trenches More Often?
Trench sharing is an encouraged practice when utilities are
planning to undertake works on the same part of a road. This has
happened several times specifically on telecommunication routes. In
addition it is a requirement of Telecommunications Licences for
spare capacity to be built in to avoid unnecessary digging up of
the highway.
Trench sharing is only possible when utilities are undertaking
similar works i.e. telecommunications and main laying. In cases of
emergency a utility may need to reopen a trench shortly after
another utility has completed their works.
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Works still Underway
Where roadworks are taking place there should be a courtesy
board placed by whoever is carrying out the works (as pictured
left). This courtesy board tells you the company name and their
telephone number.
Completed Works
If you are concerned about any works a utility have undertaken
or notice a highway defect i.e. broken manhole cover, materials or
signs left behind or poor reinstatement, please contact us via the
details given at the bottom of this page.
Where practical i.e. Manhole covers, you should be able to
identify which utility is responsible for the cover as their name
will be on it. Please provide these details when contacting us.
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Related Information
Keep one step ahead of traffic delays. Use our interactive road
report to find out about road works and closures currently in
operation that may affect your journey. Information is also
available on local events, major schemes and temporary traffic
signals.
