FOI request (FOIR-767975281)

Reinstatement Repair Expenditure

Requested Mon 24 November 2025
Responded Wed 26 November 2025

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information relating to your authority’s expenditure on reinstatement works that were required as a result of previous highway excavations carried out by utility companies or their contractors.

Specifically, I am requesting the following information:

1. Total Spend on Reinstatement Repairs

For each of the last five financial years (2020/21 – 2024/25, or most recent available):

a. The total gross expenditure incurred by the council on repairs to the public highway that were required due to failure, deterioration, or defect in reinstatements originally carried out by:

- Statutory undertakers (for example, water, gas, electricity, telecoms).

- Their contractors or sub-contractors.

Please include costs such as:

- Patching or resurfacing works.

- Emergency repairs linked to failed reinstatements.

- Additional inspections or investigations specifically triggered by reinstatement failure.

2. Amount Recovered From Utility Companies

For the same five financial years:

a. The total amount invoiced to utility companies or contractors for defective reinstatement repairs.

b. The total amount actually recovered.

c. Any outstanding amounts (if held in recorded form).

3. Volume of Defective Reinstatements

For each of the same years:

a. The number of reinstatements recorded as defective or non-compliant under:

- The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).

- SROH requirements.

- HAUC guidance or your local inspection criteria.

If possible, please break this down by utility type (water, gas, electricity, telecoms, and so on).

4. FPNs and Defect Charges Issued

For each of the five years:

a. The number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued relating to reinstatement issues.

b. The total value of FPNs issued.

c. The total value successfully recovered.

Format Request

Please provide the information in Excel, CSV, or another machine-readable format, if available.

Purpose of Request

This request forms part of a nationwide analysis into the financial impact of defective reinstatement works on local authorities. The information will help quantify:

• Public funds spent on repairing failed utility reinstatements.

• The level of cost recovery from statutory undertakers.

• Trends in compliance, enforcement, and deterioration.

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Response

Information not held.

All aspects of roads and footpaths are the responsibility of East Sussex County Council Highways Team, please visit their website for further information:

https://www.eastsussexhighways.com/