Introduction

In the UK, National Grid,  own and operate the major part of Britain’s natural gas transmission and distribution network, and through National Grid, the high-voltage electricity transmission system for England and Wales.

National Grid undertakes Streetworks for three reasons – safety, security of supply, and to meet regulatory obligations (customer connections) – and we therefore provide services essential to urban regeneration.

National Grid recognises that a proportion of its essential works, carried out for the benefit of the community, can cause disruption at times in the form of noise, dust, parking restrictions and traffic delays.

However, a recent Transport Research Laboratory report quoted in the Highways Agency Business Plan 2002-03 identified the causes of congestion as being: -

• 65% due to traffic volumes;
• 25% due to incidents;
• 10% due to works in the highway (of which about 50% are local authority works, and 50% by utilities);

National Grid aims to balance the needs of consumers, residents and road users with our statutory requirements to maintain efficient, economic and safe gas and electricity networks, including the HS&E agreement to adopt an increased rate of replacement of our metallic gas mains.

We are working closely with interested parties, including the Department for Transport and Transport for London to look at ways in which co-ordination can be improved. We are also working with fellow utilities and others involved in Streetworks to improve the co-ordination of works so as to minimise the impact to the lowest reasonable level.

National Grid believes that, with some improvements, the existing provisions of the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 could be made to work more effectively and economically, rather than introducing extra layers of legislation, regulation and bureaucracy.

Safety is our top priority. Whether dealing with a gas escape, driving to work, operating equipment or machinery, working at a desk or using a laptop from home. National Grid employees and contractors are encouraged to always think ‘safety first’.