Under new laws announced by the government any contracters who dig up the road and don't give prior warning will face financial penalties.

Councils can now issue fixed penalty notices to any utility company that doesn't follow correct procedures prior to digging up roads. That’s music to our ears!

The initiation of the new rule means that councils will now have full information regarding proposed street works with which they can try to co-ordinate them to minimize disruption.

Penalisable offences include failing to give councils enough notice regarding marjor works as well as not telling councils when the works are completed.

Previously, councils had to take costly and time-consuming court action against offenders.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: ‘Disruption from street works costs the economy about £4.9 billion each year and ongoing roadwork's are among road user's biggest concerns’.