The government has unveiled new guidelines designed to reduce the level of disruption caused by roadworks in the UK.
The rules, published by transport minister Sadiq Khan, are designed to ensure that companies who dig up the roads replace them properly - minimising the risk of potholes.
Mr Khan said the move is the latest in a series of steps designed to tackle disruption caused by roadworks, making life easier for commuters, leisure travellers and freight operators.
"The new Code of Practice I am publishing today will ensure that when utilities dig up the road they replace it properly - reducing disruption as well as the probability of potholes developing," he stated.
The government estimates that poor replacement of road surfaces results in around 90,000 remedial works being undertaken each year, inconveniencing thousands of motorists.
Last month, chancellor Alistair Darling announced £100 million of extra funding for local councils to repair road damage and potholes caused by this winter's severe weather.
Mr Darling also laid out plans for £285 million of investment in the UK motorway network in an effort to free up capacity and ease congestion.
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