Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedures his Department has put in place to ensure that statutory undertakers carrying out emergency works give notice to street authorities as required under section 57 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; and if he will make a statement. [203465]

Mr Goodwill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport: Given that it is for highway authorities to enforce the legislation which governs the provision of notice for emergency works and the consequences of a failure to do so, the Department for Transport does not prescribe procedures.

The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 provides local authorities with the powers to take action against statutory under-takers who do not comply with the requirements of section 57. This is further supported by The Street Works (Registers, Notices, Directions and Designations) (England) Regulations 2007, The Street Works (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2007 and the 'Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters'.

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