AQO 2779/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 11/11/2021
Answered On Date: 22/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she plans to review legislation to extend the timeframe that utility providers can be asked to undertake remedial work to a road from two years to four years.

Answer:

The Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 forms the legislative framework for street works by statutory undertakers and requires the undertaker to comply with the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Roads.

If an undertaker does not reinstate the street in a satisfactory manner, my Department applies the procedures as set out in the Code of Practice for Inspections.

Undertakers remain responsible for the permanent reinstatement for a minimum period of two years, increased to three years for a deep excavation.

Given the existence of the legislation as outlined above, there are no current plans to introduce further legislation in relation to these powers.

I have recently written to utilities asking them to ensure their work, in particular reinstatements, leaves the road network in a safe and serviceable condition.