New road rules could be launched to crack down on delays for motorists following a Transport Committee hearing in which experts called for urgent changes to be made.
Support has been growing in recent years for greater fines for utility companies to fix roads more quickly to keep traffic flowing, with calls for harsher consequences if streetworks cause prolonged disruption to roads.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed in January that the Government would strengthen rules for utility companies who "dig up roads without a permit or run well over time".
At present, gas, water, electricity and telecoms companies are slapped with fines worth £10,000 for every weekday that planned roadworks overrun, but this could soon be extended to include the same fines for weekends and bank holidays.
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New rules are expected to be introduced soon to ensure overrunning roadworks do not impact motorists
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Research suggests that digging holes for utility works can leave a road damaged and vulnerable, and shortening the time it needs to be resurfaced by 17 per cent.
Speaking to the Transport Committee, AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens highlighted how a beer advert from the 1990s could help inform road policy moving forward.
The Heineken advert showed workers in a hole in the road, when gas workers drive past and ask to install a new pipe at the same time to prevent the hole from being patched and dug up again.
A second worker then drives past, asking to install a cable in the hole at the same time, followed by a telephone worker.
A Heineken van drives past with the "how refreshing" tagline, before multiple workers standing in the hole look in horror as a hearse drives past.
Cousens pointed out that the slapstick advert could actually offer a "glimmer of utopia" if all utility companies came together for the sake of motorists and road delays.
He said: "If we got the utility companies or indeed anybody who needs to get in that hole at that particular time to show that coordination and joined up thinking would improve the position for everyone.
"Be them road users, pedestrians, however they use our road network. That joined-up thinking is what's desperately needed."
There are also plans outlined by Heidi Alexander to give England's largest local authorities more autonomy over when roadworks can take place.
At present, local authorities need to apply to the Department for Transport to give the green light for a "lane rental" scheme, which charges utility firms up to £2,500 per day to set up roadworks.
However, under new proposals included in the Devolution Bill, England's 13 larger local authorities will be allowed to set up the "lane rental" schemes without input from the DfT.
The 2024 Autumn Budget outlined a nearly 50 per cent increase in funding for local roads maintenance.
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Experts have called for urgent action to be taken to prevent motorists from being stuck in overrunning roadworks
PAIt comes as part of Labour's Plan for Drivers, which includes a commitment to fix an additional one million potholes across England every year.
This will be backed by almost £1.6billion in funding to maintain and renew the nation's roads, which is a £500million increase compared to 2024-25.
Prior to the election, Labour highlighted how there are more potholes on roads across England than there are craters on the moon, emphasising the scope of the issue.
