Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to adopt housing estates from planning developers more promptly.

Where a road is offered for adoption, the Highways Authority will assess whether the road has been constructed to the correct standard and will make a decision whether or not to adopt the road.

The maintenance of a highway is a significant financial burden and a local highway authority must be satisfied that any roads it chooses to adopt, are sufficiently robust and built to the correct standards, to ensure its risks and liabilities are reduced so far as practicable.

The Department for Transport has issued an advice note to councils to help them navigate some of the complexities surrounding new developments and the adoption, maintenance and upkeep of roads. This includes recommending early engagement with the relevant highway authority, to help facilitate an easier adoption process. The advice note is available here.