Hertfordshire County Council has formally called on national Government to raise the penalties on utility companies responsible for poorly managed or unauthorised roadworks.
Under current legislation, utility firms may be fined just £80 for breaching permit conditions and £300 for unauthorised works — levels the council says are ineffective against large companies.
Since April 2022, more than 10,000 fines have been issued under these rules. The council argues that these minimal sanctions are viewed as 'a cost of doing business' by some utilities.
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, the council’s Executive Member for Highways is urging a review of the current regime.
Proposed reforms include higher fines, powers to charge for inspection, and authority to penalise companies for failing to maintain road and pavement assets.
