CABLE companies have been warned they need to improve their standard of roadworks in Lancashire or face legal action.

The message was spelled out by county highways chairman Dennis Golden today after a report on the performance of public utilities operating under the New Roads and Street Works Act, which came into effect in January.

The Act states that companies are responsible for ensuring their trenches and excavations are properly repaired.

County Coun Golden said that British Telecom and North West Water had had a poor start but were now up to standard but added that the results from Nynex and Cable North West were disappointing.

"The utility companies that are not reaching the required standards must examine their working practices and the resources they allocate to roadworks," he said.

"I have asked officers from the county surveyor's department to have further discussions with the cable companies with a view to helping them improve their performance.

"For the future the committee has agreed that legal action should be taken against any utility company not achieving the desired standards."

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