What qualifications should you look for when hiring a highway reinstatement contractor in the UK? For street works in England, it's important to check that the contractor can provide appropriately qualified operatives and supervisors, understands the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA), and works to the relevant highway reinstatement standards.
For utility companies, infrastructure providers and civil engineering contractors, choosing a reliable highway reinstatement contractor in the UK involves more than comparing prices.
Qualifications, technical knowledge, safety procedures and relevant project experience all play an important role in ensuring roads and footpaths are reinstated professionally.
At Daneways Ltd, we're an experienced utility reinstatement and road surfacing contractor based in Dudley, West Midlands. With over 30 years of industry experience, we support utility and infrastructure projects across the Midlands and wider UK.
In this guide, we'll explore the key qualifications, standards and safety considerations to check before appointing a highway reinstatement contractor.
What qualifications should a highway reinstatement contractor have?
For applicable street works in England, the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 requires an appropriately qualified operative to be present on site while the relevant works are taking place.
The works must also be supervised by a person holding the prescribed supervisor qualifications, although that supervisor does not necessarily need to remain on site at all times.
The qualifications required depend on the activities being undertaken.
For example, operatives carrying out asphalt reinstatement may need different certificates from those working on concrete or modular paving.
When appointing a contractor, it's worth asking:
Are the operatives qualified for the specific reinstatement activities?
Is an appropriately qualified supervisor assigned?
Are the relevant street works qualifications current?
Can the contractor provide evidence of training and competency?
Does the team have experience with the surfaces and working conditions involved?
The exact requirements depend on the nature and location of the works, including whether they fall under statutory street works legislation.
What is NRSWA and why does it matter?
The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) provides a legal framework for street works carried out by utility companies and other relevant organisations.
It covers responsibilities relating to the execution of street works, including qualifications, safety and reinstatement.
For projects involving excavation in public highways, NRSWA is an important consideration when selecting a contractor.
Working with experienced NRSWA reinstatement contractors can help utility providers manage their obligations and ensure appropriate personnel are involved.
However, experience alone isn't a substitute for checking the actual qualifications held by the operatives and supervisors assigned to a project.
Understanding NRSWA operative and supervisor qualifications
In England, street works qualifications are organised into certificates covering different activities.
Operatives undertaking relevant excavation or reinstatement work generally require key certificates for the location and avoidance of underground apparatus and signing, lighting and guarding, alongside certificates appropriate to their work.
Examples of activity-specific operative certificates include:
Excavation in the highway
Reinstatement and compaction of backfill materials
Reinstatement of sub-base and base materials
Reinstatement using cold-lay bituminous materials
Reinstatement using hot-lay bituminous materials
Reinstatement of concrete slabs
Reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways
Supervisors have a separate set of qualifications relating to monitoring the relevant activities.
For procurement teams, the important point is to check the qualifications against the actual work being commissioned, rather than assuming that one general street works certificate covers every activity.
What are the SROH requirements for highway reinstatement?
The Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH) establishes technical requirements for reinstating streets after relevant street works.
In England, the fourth edition became statutory guidance in May 2021, with subsequent updates and additional guidance.
The specification addresses important aspects of reinstatement, including materials, construction and performance.
For utility and infrastructure projects, the relevant requirements will depend on the excavation, pavement construction and type of surface being reinstated.
When choosing a highway reinstatement contractor, ask how the proposed works will meet the applicable specification.
A suitable contractor should be able to explain the intended reinstatement method and the materials being used.
Why does highway reinstatement quality matter?
Highway reinstatement involves restoring surfaces that may be used by vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians every day.
Poor-quality reinstatement can lead to problems such as:
Premature cracking and surface deterioration
Potholes and uneven surfaces
Water penetration
Settlement around excavated areas
Additional repair costs
Further disruption to road users
Correct preparation, appropriate materials and suitable compaction methods are important for achieving durable results.
For utility companies and infrastructure providers, reliable reinstatement also helps reduce the risk of defects requiring further remedial work.
What safety measures should a highway reinstatement contractor have in place?
Highway reinstatement can involve working alongside moving traffic, pedestrians, underground services and construction equipment.
Before appointing a contractor, it's important to understand how these risks will be managed.
Traffic and pedestrian management
Appropriate signs, barriers and traffic management arrangements may be required to protect workers and road users.
The measures needed depend on the location and nature of the works.
Risk assessments and method statements
Contractors should be able to provide relevant risk assessments and method statements that reflect the activities being undertaken.
Underground utility awareness
Where excavation is involved, suitable procedures are needed to identify and avoid underground apparatus.
Equipment and personnel competency
Workers should be competent to operate the equipment used on site, with any relevant training and certification in place.
Site coordination
Clear communication between utility providers, contractors and other parties is important, particularly where several teams are working within the same area.
What accreditations should you ask a highway reinstatement contractor about?
Alongside statutory street works qualifications, procurement teams may also consider wider health and safety credentials and company accreditations.
Depending on the project, these could include recognised health and safety assessment schemes, management system certifications or other industry-specific requirements.
However, not every accreditation is legally required for every project.
It's important to distinguish between:
Statutory qualifications: Qualifications required for particular street works activities.
Company accreditations: Evidence of assessment against a recognised organisational standard or scheme.
Project-specific competency: Training, experience and authorisations relevant to the actual work.
Before appointing a contractor, request evidence of the qualifications and accreditations relevant to your procurement requirements.
Why is experience important when choosing a reinstatement contractor?
Qualifications are essential, but relevant experience is also an important consideration.
Utility reinstatement projects can involve different excavation types, materials, working environments and operational requirements.
An experienced contractor should understand the practical challenges associated with:
Gas and water utility reinstatement
Electricity and telecommunications works
Road and footpath reinstatement
Tarmac and asphalt surfacing
Concrete and modular surface reinstatement
Working alongside other infrastructure contractors
For utility companies managing ongoing reinstatement programmes, reliability and consistent project coordination can be particularly valuable.
Questions to ask before appointing a highway reinstatement contractor
When comparing potential contractors, a straightforward procurement checklist can help you make an informed decision.
1. What relevant highway reinstatement experience do you have?
Ask for examples of completed projects involving similar surfaces and working environments.
2. Can you provide evidence of operative and supervisor qualifications?
Check that the qualifications are current and appropriate for the work.
3. How will you meet the applicable SROH requirements?
The contractor should understand the relevant specification and proposed reinstatement method.
4. What health and safety procedures will be used?
Discuss risk assessments, traffic management, pedestrian safety and site coordination.
5. What equipment and resources are available?
Ensure the contractor can provide suitable personnel, materials and equipment.
6. How will quality be checked?
Ask about inspections, records, testing where required and the process for addressing defects.
7. Can you provide relevant project references?
Examples of previous work can help demonstrate experience and suitability.
Highway and utility reinstatement services with Daneways Ltd
At Daneways Ltd, we have over 30 years of experience in road surfacing, utility reinstatement and civil engineering.
Based in Dudley, West Midlands, we support utility providers, contractors and infrastructure projects.
Our services include:
Highway and utility reinstatement
Road and tarmac surfacing
Footpath and pavement reinstatement
Block paving and concrete reinstatement
Kerb and associated surface works
Civil engineering and groundworks
Hot box and grab hire
Our experience across different reinstatement surfaces allows us to discuss a wide range of project requirements, from individual excavations to larger utility programmes.
When considering Daneways for a project, contact our team to discuss the scope of works and request the relevant qualification, competency and project information required for your procurement process.
Frequently asked questions about highway reinstatement contractors
Do highway reinstatement contractors need NRSWA qualifications?
For applicable street works in England, the legislation requires appropriately qualified operatives and supervisors. The qualifications needed depend on the activities being undertaken. Different requirements may apply to other types of highway works and elsewhere in the UK.
What is the difference between an NRSWA operative and supervisor?
An operative holds qualifications relevant to carrying out specified street works activities. A supervisor holds qualifications relevant to overseeing those activities. A supervisor qualification alone does not automatically qualify someone to undertake operative work.
What does SROH stand for?
SROH stands for the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways. It establishes technical requirements for reinstating streets after relevant street works.
How can I check a contractor's street works qualifications?
Ask for evidence of the qualifications held by the operatives and supervisors assigned to the project, including the relevant certificates and their expiry dates. Street works qualifications in England are recorded through the Street Works Qualification Register.
Are NRSWA qualifications the same as company health and safety accreditations?
No. NRSWA qualifications relate to specified street works activities and personnel. Company accreditations assess different aspects of an organisation's systems or performance and do not replace required individual qualifications.
What should utility companies look for in a reinstatement contractor?
Key considerations include appropriate qualifications, understanding of applicable reinstatement standards, relevant experience, suitable equipment, safety procedures and reliable project coordination.
Where can I find a highway reinstatement contractor in the West Midlands?
Daneways Ltd is a utility reinstatement and road surfacing contractor based in Dudley, West Midlands. The team can discuss project requirements and provide information relevant to your contractor selection process.
Looking for a highway reinstatement contractor in the UK?
Choosing the right reinstatement partner means looking beyond price to consider qualifications, technical standards, safety and relevant experience.
At Daneways Ltd, we provide professional utility reinstatement, road surfacing and civil engineering services for utility companies and infrastructure contractors.
With over 30 years of industry experience, our team understands the practical requirements of delivering reinstatement works across different surfaces and project environments.
Get in touch with Daneways Ltd today to discuss your highway reinstatement requirements and request a quotation.
Website: www.danewaysltd.com
