Highways maintenance transparency report 2026

In this section

  1. What we spent to maintain the highway network and where the funding is coming from
  2. How we maintain local roads, pavements, and the wider highway network in Stoke-on-Trent
  3. Our maintenance plans for this year
  4. Transparency report – Technical Annex template
  5. Maintaining footways and cycleways
  6. Drainage
  7. Skills and training
  8. Adapting roads to withstand climate pressures
  9. Innovation
  10. Working with utility companies to reduce disruption to road users
  11. Managing highways maintenance contracts effectively

Working with utility companies to reduce disruption to road users

  1.  

Question

Yes / No
  1.  

Do you routinely monitor and enforce utility works quality as part of your streetworks management?

Yes

  1.  

Have you undertaken a senior‑endorsed assessment of whether a lane rental scheme would be suitable for your area?

Yes

  1.  

Do you seek input from utility companies when determining your highways maintenance programme to help reduce disruption?

Yes

  1.  

Have you conducted and published a permit scheme evaluation within the last three years?

Yes

  1.  

Have you conducted a traffic sensitive review in the last three years? 

Yes

 

Evidence Summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council actively works with utility companies to minimise disruption to road users through its permit scheme, routine monitoring and enforcement of street works, and regular coordination meetings. We engage with the major utility providers to review annual and forward work programmes, enabling opportunities for collaborative planning and improved coordination with highway maintenance activities. A Traffic Sensitive Review has been completed within the last 12 months, and Year 4 of the Council’s Permit Scheme Evaluation has been published. The Council has also undertaken a senior officer assessment of the suitability of a Lane Rental Scheme and is progressing a formal application.

Further context

The Council is progressing its Lane Rental application, supported by GeoPlace data and analysis. While the assessment has confirmed the potential benefits of a scheme, implementation may be affected by Local Government Reorganisation, as Lane Rental powers are expected to transfer to the future Mayoral Strategic Authority. In the meantime, we continue to develop the business case and supporting evidence. Regular coordination meetings are held with the five major utility companies, using annual programmes and forward plans to identify opportunities to reduce disruption, coordinate activities and minimise impacts on the travelling public.