Guidelines open way formore control of roadworks

The guidance came as Kent County Council became the first authority outside London to introduce a permit scheme for roadworks.

Permit schemes give councils more power to co-ordinate roadworks and to take tough action when they overrun.

Once a scheme is in place companies must apply for a permit before they start digging up streets and must abide by conditions on timing, co-ordination or the amount of road space to be left available to road users during the works.

The new guidance will help other authorities develop their own permit schemes.