Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what oversight her Department has of the scheduling and coordination of major highway repair works undertaken by local authorities; what requirements exist to minimise prolonged closures and manage delays; and whether she plans to introduce new standards for assessing the economic and community impact of extended roadworks.

Under the Highways Act 1980, responsibility for planning, prioritising and delivering maintenance on local roads sits with the relevant local authority, who are best placed to understand local network needs and manage works on their assets.

This is supported by the statutory Co-ordination Code of Practice and the national permit scheme, which sets clear requirements to plan works effectively, minimise disruption and avoid unnecessary occupation of the highway. These include controls on the timing and duration of works, strengthened permit validity windows, and the use of sanctions where closures overrun.

The Department does not currently plan to introduce new national standards for assessing the economic or community impacts of extended roadworks. However, we regularly review statutory guidance such as the Co-ordination Code of Practice to ensure that authorities continue to apply consistent, evidence‑based methods for minimising disruption and coordinating works effectively.

In January 2026, the Department also introduced a new rating system for local highway authorities, measuring how well they are maintaining their local roads and whether they do so using best practice. As part of this, the ratings consider what actions local highway authorities are taking to reduce disruption to road users from street and road works. The ratings will be updated annually, and the Department is providing dedicated support to red-rated local highway authorities to help them improve and adopt best practice.