Surrey, April 3, 2025: Surrey officials and utility providers are calling for urgent changes to minimize disruption from roadworks and major infrastructure projects. Surrey County Council (SCC), National Highways, and six utility firms have sent a letter to the Department for Transport (DfT) requesting improvements to the national roadworks management system.
The demand comes as the Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, Dr. Ben Spencer, pushes a new bill in Parliament to address disruptions on road and rail networks. The DfT responded by stating that local authorities are being held accountable for their road maintenance projects to limit delays for drivers.
Last July, a task force of water, energy, and telecom representatives was formed to improve coordination. Now, SCC and utility providers, including Cadent Gas, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), and Virgin Media, are asking for better systems to share advance warnings of emergency works. SCC has also proposed new measures, such as appointing an independent roadworks commissioner, mandating clearer signage about delays, and considering the impact on pedestrians and cyclists.
“Utility companies’ demands in Surrey are among the top five highest in the UK, with 88 works starting daily in the last year,” said SCC cabinet member Matt Furniss. “These works, while necessary, are too often negatively affecting Surrey road users.”
Spencer’s bill aims to force greater coordination between transport authorities and project planners to prevent overlapping road and rail disruptions. He highlighted issues such as the M25/A3 junction works coinciding with railway closures and nearby roadworks, saying the delays were “simply unacceptable.”
“The continued disruption in Runnymede and Weybridge is costing the economy millions in lost work hours and delayed goods,” Spencer said. “I am calling on the government to take action.”
A DfT spokesperson noted that fines and charges for overrunning utility works have increased and that local authorities already have powers to coordinate projects and provide advance notice of planned roadworks.
