Discussion on utility company streetworks is welcome, but action should have been taken years ago

Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have welcomed the setting up of a task group to look at reducing the congestion and damage caused by utility companies digging up the county's roads, but say action should have been taken years ago.

Liberal Democrat Environment and Transportation spokesperson Stephen Cooksey said: "It is good news that Conservative-run Surrey County Council has finally woken up to how big an issue the digging up of newly laid roads and the disruption caused to road users is to Surrey residents and businesses.

"Surrey has had powers for years to operate a permit scheme which would have forced the utility companies to work more closely with the county council and resulted in a big reduction in disruption, the cost of repairs and the blight that is caused on Surrey's highways.

"I look forward to the task group reaching a swift conclusion and taking decisive action for the sake of Surrey residents, businesses and road users."