Flydigging

Flydigging is the name given to the unauthorised road excavations performed by utility companies that frequently disrupt road traffic and pedestrian walk routes.

Currently, in England, utility companies wishing to dig up the road to perform maintenance works on their underground pipes do not have to apply to the local authority before doing so. This leads to roadworks appearing unannounced, often causing long traffic jams.

In London a lobby group has been established called Stop the Flydiggers. On 2nd December 2008, Stop the Flydiggers staged a protest outside the Christmas Party of the National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG). Their demonstration was reported in the London Evening Standard and drew the support of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who called for "a holy war on holey streets." Interestingly, the protesters failed to note that the event was aimed at recognising efforts being made within the industry to prevent disruption to streets.

The protesters handed out flyers directing people to their Facebook group, "Stop the Flydiggers!". The group's administrators are employees of the Mayor of London's PR Agency, iN-HousePR.

It was reported by the Evening Standard in January 2008 that utility companies were fined more than £3 million for over-running on roadworks in London in 2007.

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