Reigate MP champions action to tackle roadworks disruption
Rebecca Paul, Member of Parliament for Reigate, hosted a drop-in event in Parliament on February 3 in her capacity as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for better roads, bringing together parliamentarians and industry experts to discuss how utility-related street works can be improved to minimise disruption and protect the integrity of the highway network.
The event focused on how reinstatement works, carried out after utilities dig up roads and pavements to access water, gas, electricity, and broadband infrastructure, could be strengthened to reduce congestion, delays, and longer-term structural damage to roads.
Street works are essential to keep vital services running and to support modern life.
However, poorly coordinated or substandard reinstatements can cause significant frustration for road users, disrupt public transport, limit access to high streets and businesses, and create unnecessary economic harm.
Rebecca Paul MP said: “Across Reigate, Redhill, Banstead and our villages, the message I hear time and again is simple: our roads are crumbling and people have had enough.
“From potholes to endless repeat roadworks, residents want to see proper standards enforced and disruption kept to an absolute minimum.
“I have long campaigned for fairer road funding for Surrey because our roads carry far more traffic than the formula recognises yet we are expected to make do with the same allocation as quieter counties.
“Nearly 6,000 residents backed my petition for reform, which I delivered to 10 Downing Street.
“But funding alone is not the answer. If utilities dig up our roads, they must put them back properly. Too often, weak reinstatements mean the same stretch is back under cones months later.
“That costs motorists time and money, and it accelerates the deterioration of the very roads taxpayers are paying to maintain.
“This event is about raising standards, improving coordination, and ensuring real accountability.
“Residents should not be stuck in traffic or swerving around potholes because of avoidable failures in the system.”
Lewis Cocking, Member of Parliament for Broxbourne, added: “It is right that representatives of the highway and street works sector have come to Parliament today to listen to the views and concerns of MPs from across the political spectrum.
“Constant disruption from roadworks is a source of huge frustration for me and my constituents and I am convinced that the organisations involved can do more to minimise disruption.
“I am pleased that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for better roads is providing an opportunity for MPs to share their local experiences and I look forward to working with colleagues and the industry on practical solutions.”
Helen Grant, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and Malling, said: “Motorists must be able to go about their daily lives without sitting in prolonged traffic or having to dodge dangerous, car-damaging potholes.
“This is the minimum road users and taxpayers deserve.
“According to the Department for Transport, a staggering 53 per cent of Kent’s roads have been flagged for maintenance.
“I hear far too often from constituents about the poor quality of our road surfaces, as well as their understandable frustration at endless and poorly coordinated roadworks.
“It is vital that action is taken to improve road conditions to make them safer for all who rely on them.
“I will continue to hold Reform-led Kent County Council to account on their promises to improve road infrastructure as well as work with them to identify any gaps in current legislation that prevent effective management of our road network – including pushing for stronger and clearer criteria on what qualifies as ‘emergency’ work by utility companies.”
“The discussion explored ways to strengthen reinstatement standards, improve coordination between utility companies and local authorities, and reduce unnecessary repeat works.”
Rebecca added: “Recent additional funding for Surrey is welcome, but we cannot allow poor workmanship and weak oversight to undermine that investment.
“Higher standards, tougher enforcement, and better planning between agencies will mean fewer cones, fewer repeat digs, and roads that actually last, which is exactly what residents expect and deserve.”
Rebecca Paul also thanked the secretariat of the APPG for better roads for their support in helping to organise the event and bring together parliamentarians and industry representatives for the discussion.