I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information relating to your authority’s expenditure on reinstatement works that were required as a result of previous highway excavations carried out by utility companies or their contractors.
Specifically, I am requesting the following information:
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1. Total Spend on Reinstatement Repairs
For each of the last five financial years (2020/21 – 2024/25 or most recent available):
• The total gross expenditure incurred by the council on repairs to the public highway that were required due to failure, deterioration, or defect in reinstatements originally carried out by:
o Statutory undertakers (e.g., water, gas, electricity, telecoms)
o Their contractors or sub-contractors
Please include costs such as:
• Patching or resurfacing works
• Emergency repairs linked to failed reinstatements
• Additional inspections or investigations specifically triggered by reinstatement failure
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2. Amount Recovered From Utility Companies
For the same five financial years:
• The total amount invoiced to utility companies or contractors for defective reinstatement repairs
• The total amount actually recovered
• Any outstanding amounts (if held in recorded form)
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3. Volume of Defective Reinstatements
For each of the same years:
• The number of reinstatements recorded as defective or non-compliant under:
o The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA)
o SROH requirements
o HAUC guidance or your local inspection criteria
If possible, please break this down by utility type (water, gas, electricity, telecoms, etc.).
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4. FPNs and Defect Charges Issued
For each of the five years:
• The number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued relating to reinstatement issues
• The total value of FPNs issued
• The total value successfully recovered