July 2025
Street Works UK has published its latest report, The Road to Economic Growth – How Street Works Are Delivering for the UK, showcasing the crucial role the street works sector plays in supporting the UK economy and how the sector is working to achieve the Government’s ambitious targets across housing, net zero and economic productivity.
The UK is at a pivotal moment, with government plans to boost economic growth through infrastructure development, net zero initiatives, better connectivity, and housing. However, ageing infrastructure, a shortage of skilled workers, and rigid regulation are slowing progress. A critical but often overlooked contributor to these ambitions is the street works sector—responsible for around four million road excavations annually to maintain and install essential utilities like water, electricity, gas, and broadband.
Effective street works are vital for enabling infrastructure, housing, and green energy rollout. Yet, the sector faces delays and costs due to fragmented government approaches, excessive regulation, and inconsistent local authority processes. Closer collaboration between national government, local councils, and industry is essential.
The report highlights how street works support key policy areas - housing, productivity, and net zero—and calls for a reduction in red tape and risk burdens to unlock their full potential. Greater alignment and support from policymakers will be crucial to achieving the UK's long-term growth goals.
Click here to view the full report: The Road to Economic Growth – How Street Works Are Delivering for the UK
