NEW government proposals to require utility companies to guarantee their roadworks remain pothole-free for longer have been welcomed by council highways bosses.

Under a plan announced this week they could be ordered back to re-instate surfaces that deteriorate after they had dug them up for up to five years rather then the current two.

The scheme covers statutory undertakers – firms such as water, electricity, gas and telecommunications companies – who hae the right to excavate roads to conduct repairs.

The new consultation proposes increasing the minimum guarantee from the current two years to up to five years and will introduce new asphalt standards to keep roads pothole-free for longer.

Lancashire County Council’s highways boss Cllr Keith Iddon said: “This is great news.”

Cllr Phil Riley, his Blackburn with Darwen Borough equivalent, said: "On the face of it this seems like good news.”

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “Potholes are the biggest enemy for road users and this government is looking at all options to keep our roads in the best condition.

“Road surfaces can be made worse by utility companies, so imposing higher standards on repairs will help keep roads pothole-free for longer.”

The proposals also allow for new innovative surfacing to be used, such as asphalt with a high bitumen content that is easier to compact to the required density making it less prone to potholes.

This consultation will last eight weeks.

Cllr Iddon said: “This is great news because one of the problems we face is utility companies digging up our roads and then problems such as sinkholes appearing later.

“It can then be very difficult to get them back to repair the damage and we have to do it ourselves. This change would be very welcome.”

Cllr Riley said: “We now need to wait for the completion of the consultation to see if this actually happens.

“It could be helpful to the council if implemented.”

A spokesman for United Utilities, the busiest of the statutory undertakers in Lancashire, said: “W are already meeting the new high standards required for road repairs.

“In the last 12 months, we hit a 97.4 per cent compliance in Lancashire County Council inspections.”

“We are setting new standards for others to follow.”