Guide
Reinstatement standards for highway works
Reinstatement categories, guarantee periods, materials specifications, inspection regime, and defect correction requirements under the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH). Covers road categories, compaction standards, coring powers, and penalties for non-compliance.
Current reinstatement categories, guarantee periods, materials requirements, and inspection standards for street works in England and Wales under the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH).
This reference covers the statutory requirements that apply when you reinstate a highway after completing street works. For the permit and notice process before starting works, see Highway works and street works permits.
Who must comply
Every undertaker carrying out street works has a statutory duty under Section 71 of NRSWA 1991 to reinstate the street to the required standard. This applies to:
- Statutory undertakers (gas, water, electricity, and telecommunications companies) working under their own statutory rights
- Section 50 licence holders (private businesses and contractors with a street works licence)
- Their contractors - the undertaker remains legally responsible even if a subcontractor carries out the reinstatement
The highway authority does not reinstate on your behalf. You must carry out both the interim and permanent reinstatement, and you bear all costs including any remedial work during the guarantee period.
Qualification requirements for reinstatement
Reinstatement is a specialist activity. Operatives and supervisors must hold appropriate SWQR units covering reinstatement work. The relevant unit covers backfilling, compaction, sub-base and surfacing techniques for the specific road type.
Penalties for reinstatement failures
Poor reinstatement quality is a common source of Fixed Penalty Notices. From 5 January 2026, FPN amounts doubled for all street works offences in England, including reinstatement deficiencies. Repeat failures may also lead the highway authority to impose enhanced inspection regimes or prosecute under NRSWA 1991.
Common reinstatement defects
Highway authority inspections most frequently identify these defects:
- Settlement - inadequate compaction of backfill causing the surface to sink below the surrounding road level
- Cracking - poor bonding between the reinstatement and the existing surface, or insufficient layer thickness
- Incorrect surface material - surface course that does not match the existing road surface in material type, colour, or texture
- Poor edge finish - irregular or feathered edges rather than clean saw-cut joints to existing surfacing
- Inadequate layer thickness - bituminous or concrete layers below the minimum depth specified for the road category
- Surface irregularity - bumps or depressions that exceed the permitted profile tolerance
If a defect is identified during the guarantee period, the highway authority issues a defect notice. Safety defects must be made safe within 2 hours. Other defects must be permanently corrected within the prescribed period, typically 10 working days.
Related guidance
For step-by-step procedures on obtaining permits and complying with street works requirements before starting work, see Highway works and street works permits.
For traffic management signing and guarding requirements during works, see Set up traffic management for road works.