Paragraph 7 Handover certificate and defects period
As soon as, in respect of a phase—
the undertaker has carried out a dilapidation survey in accordance with paragraph 3(11) of this Part of this Schedule and completed any remedial works necessary to bring that area into as good a condition as when it was originally surveyed, such works to be first agreed with Highways England;
the undertaker has provided a plan clearly identifying the extent of any land which is to become highway maintainable at public expense together with any ancillary equipment that will become the responsibility of Highways England; and
the as built information has been provided to Highways England,
Highways England must forthwith issue a handover certificate in respect of that phase such certificate not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
The undertaker must at its own expense remedy any defects in any phase of the trunk road works as are reasonably required to be remedied by Highways England during a period of 12 months from the date of the handover certificate in respect of that phase. All identified defects are to be remedied in accordance with the following timescales—
in respect of matters of urgency, within 24 hours of receiving notification (urgency to be determined at the absolute discretion of Highways England);
in respect of matters which Highways England consider to be serious defects or faults, within 14 days of receiving notification or, if a road space booking is required at the time when the road space is available, whichever is the later; and
in respect of all other defects notified to the undertaker, within 4 weeks of receiving notification or, if a road space booking is required, at the time when the road space is available, whichever is the later.
Following the issue of the handover certificate in respect of a phase, Highways England is to be responsible for the trunk road works within that phase which will thereafter be maintained by and at the expense of Highways England.
The undertaker must submit Stage 4 Road Safety Audits for each phase as required by and in line with the timescales stipulated in the Road Safety Audit Standard. The undertaker must comply with the findings of the Stage 4 Road Safety Audits and be responsible for all costs of and incidental to such.