Road workers face competence test

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Plans to reduce disruption caused by street works, including assessing road workers' competence every five years, have been revealed by the government.

Those employed to dig up roads for utility firms would be tested to ensure practices were up to date, in plans outlined by the transport minister.

It comes as the government introduces measures to help councils limit delays and congestion caused by street works.

Better-trained workers would save about £14m a year, Rose Winterton said.

We are taking action to help make sure that these works are carried out safely and to the highest possible standards Transport Minister Rose Winterton

"Better-trained road workers will mean more roadworks completed correctly the first time round, saving the public from further disruption and an estimated £14 million a year in repair costs for sub-standard work and associated costs such as congestion," she said.

"We are already giving councils new powers to better co-ordinate roadworks and help cut disruption. Now we are taking action to help make sure that these works are carried out safely and to the highest possible standards by qualified workers.

"The reassessment process for workers I am unveiling today will mean workers and supervisors will have to keep up to date with the latest techniques and best practice if they are to remain qualified."

From 1 April, councils will be able to insist that utility companies give longer notice periods before starting street works - improving co-ordination and making it possible to prevent multiple works in the same area at the same time.

Councils will also be able to impose conditions on works, such as a ban on rush-hour working, and will also be allowed to operate a permit scheme - meaning that anyone wanting to dig up the road will have to apply for a permit that will set out specific durations for the work and conditions of how and when it is carried out.

They will be able to penalise utility companies that break the conditions.