From excavation to evidence

A utility company — such as a water, gas, electricity or telecommunications provider — excavates the road to install or maintain underground infrastructure. This work is essential to maintaining the UK's utility networks.

Utilities must notify the relevant highway authority before work begins in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA).

Once the underground work is complete, the excavation is backfilled and the road surface is restored.

This reinstatement must meet national engineering standards defined in the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH).

These standards ensure the road remains safe and durable after the repair.

Poor reinstatement can lead to premature road failure and additional repair costs.

A statutory guarantee period begins from the date of reinstatement.

During this period — typically two years for permanent reinstatements and three years on traffic-sensitive roads — the utility remains responsible for any failure in the repair.

If the reinstatement fails during the guarantee period, the utility must remedy the defect at its own cost. Highway authorities may also carry out the work and recover the costs.

Road Guardian monitors reinstatement quality throughout the guarantee period.

Inspections, photographs and condition assessments are recorded digitally, with findings logged against the relevant site and responsible utility.

Monitoring helps identify issues early — before they become costly failures — and provides the evidence needed to enforce remediation.

Road Guardian maintains a complete, transparent evidence record for every reinstatement site.

This includes inspection reports, photographic evidence, condition assessments and correspondence.

The audit trail is accessible to authorised parties — councils, utilities and contractors — providing clarity and reducing the potential for disputes.