Streetworks
The ‘New Roads and Street Works Act 1991’ came into force in 1993 and requires that anyone working on the highway (i.e.road/verge/footway) must register their works with the highway authority, which in this instance is the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. This has been followed by the Traffic Management Act 2004, which has made provision for the management of the road network, and will enforce the Normals of practice of the New Roads and Street Works Act
Who can carry out works on the Highway?
Works on the highway can be carried out by:
- Council contractors
- Utilities, who have a statutory right, e.g. gas, water electricity, telecoms companies
- Companies licensed by the council
A Streetworks register is kept by the council, of all works that have been notified. The council has a duty to co-ordinate these works to ensure safety, minimise inconvenience especially to those with disabilities, and protect the structure of the street and the apparatus in it.
The council cannot prevent a utility company from carrying out works, but can delay them if necessary, for example, due to traffic management implications.
Will I be informed?
A courtesy / information board on each site, that states who is doing the work and their contact telephone number should be present. If there is a problem with the works, please phone this number first. If however there is no information board then you can contact us, who will pursue the complaint on your behalf.
Major works should be notified to residents by letter in advance, giving contact details.
Normal highway working hours are from 7am to 7pm, but in some instances on busy trafficked roads, working hours outside this period are agreed with the council. Emergency works will also happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Will the Highway be repaired after works?
A permanent reinstatement of the works should be carried out within 6 months of the completion of the job, to repair the highway to at least the condition before works commenced. This reinstatement is guaranteed for 2 years.
We do not supervise utility companies work, but do carry out a random inspection of 10% of works notified, plus any complaints received. If necessary defect notices are issued to the company concerned to carry out remedial works.
The working day is from 0800 to 1630, and work outside of these hours must be agreed.
Contact us
If you have a complaints about noise nuisance arising from Highway works please contact:
Environmental Health
Email: Environmental.health@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8547 5536
If you have a complaint about a defect in the highway following works, please contact:
Mrs Shelley Beard
Telephone: 020 8547 5967
Mr Richard Hird
Telephone: 020 8547 5756
If you need to contact us about general works, please contact us:
In writing
Environmental Services
Guildhall 2
High Street
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Email: environment@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8547 5929