Steve Linacre

A seasoned Street Works Permitting, Lane Rental, and Utility Civils Installation Management and Compliance Specialist with extensive expertise in street works legislation, permitting, and civils installation performance management. With a proven track record in leading successful street works permitting, utility installation, and compliance teams, I ensure optimal performance, quality, and financial impact reduction by understanding and integrating the many moving field and back-office street works parts across all associated business areas.

With deep knowledge and experience in legislation, utility civils installation efficiencies, contract management, and a high level of commercial awareness and financial acumen, I excel in increasing production quality, developing innovative time and cost saving initiatives, and achieving key SLA and KPI targets with clear auditing and reporting processes. I am adept at ensuring first-time success in route planning, excavation, installation, and reinstatement compliance, while mitigating defects and penalties such as FPNs and Section 74 charges. My experience also includes navigating Local Authority processes and licensing, and fostering strong, effective relationships at all organisational levels.

As a Fellow of the Institute of Highway Engineers, I bring extensive experience in executive representation at groups such as Street Works UK, JAGs, and various HAUC bodies. Renowned for my in-depth knowledge of street works legislation and civils installation, I am recognised for my passion, integrity, versatility, and persuasive leadership style, which positively influences teams and stakeholders alike.

Multiple Organisation Head of Street Works Performance & Civils Compliance - 2021/Presnt

Full Fibre Limited - National ISP.

Guerin Energy Services - National ISP Contractor

Giganet Limited (Allpoints Fibre) - National ISP.

• Spearheaded the development and management of the organisation’s national street works framework, ensuring full compliance with UK legislation and regulatory standards.
• Authored comprehensive civils installation build specifications and guidance for a multi-Principal Contractor model, enhancing consistency and adherence across national projects.
• Built and led the national permitting and on-site compliance teams, managing direct labour and ensuring efficient operations.
• Directed multi Build Partner and Local Authority street works permitting teams, achieving over 95% permit accuracy and streamlining application processes.
• Designed and implemented proactive and corrective strategies for installation quality and performance, leading to a >90% Local Authority reinstatement inspection pass rate.
• Negotiated and crafted contractual street works terms focused on SLG and reinstatement performance, ensuring defect prevention and full financial recovery from FPNs and Section 74 charges.
• Established organisation-wide SLAs and KPIs for street works, coupled with comprehensive auditing and reporting systems to monitor performance and ensure accountability.
• Developed and delivered targeted training programs and guidance, fostering upskilling and performance improvement across departments.
• Launched and transitioned PIA and Wayleave back-office teams into structured management, ensuring efficient operational handover.
• Fostered strong relationships with Local Authorities, internal teams, and external stakeholders, driving service quality and operational excellence.

2017 - 1019

• Restructured the organisation's national multi-partner street works permitting, civils build, and compliance processes, transforming underperformance into successful outcomes.
• Negotiated and approved contract and commercial terms for street works and civils installations, ensuring high-quality, first-time installations.
• Established and implemented national performance KPIs and SLAs, with continuous success monitoring and realignment.
• Identified and created corrective action plans to address national installation, quality, and performance issues, reducing reinstatement defects by over 90% across five clients.
• Revised the national legislative permitting process and communication strategies, achieving over 95% accuracy, reducing FPNs, and ensuring full financial recovery of impacts.
• Designed and delivered street works and civils performance training, setting clear objectives and targets, resulting in a fully qualified workforce.
• Developed installation planning methods incorporating location and traffic management formulas to minimize street works impact nationwide.
• Strengthened relationships with Local Authorities, internal teams, external customers, and suppliers, consistently ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Realigned Health & Safety Team processes to ensure alignment with business goals, enhancing productivity and safety management.

• Led a team of Engineers in managing end-to-end build specifications, quality, and compliance for street works civils installations across Northern UK.
• Developed preventive and corrective management processes to address performance shortfalls in civils street works and cabling operations.
• Ensured adherence to legislative, technical, and operational standards in line with organizational processes.
• Delivered performance improvement through regular training on Codes of Practice and legislation, tailored to individuals and teams.
• Designed and monitored performance against KPIs, objectives, and targets, driving continuous improvement.

• Managed all aspects of the Project Lightening FTTP build across Yorkshire, overseeing budget and delivery.
• Achieved street works performance targets to successful remove 2 Local Authority Improvement Notices.
• Expanded responsibilities into forward planning, traffic management, wayleaves, and execution of diversionary works.
• Maintained legal and technical compliance, ensuring processes aligned with operational standards.
• Delivered service excellence through regular training and coaching, fostering individual and team growth.
• Built and maintained effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring consistent service quality.

• Managed borough-wide Street Works Inspectors.
• Served as a Senior Engineer, identifying street works process deficiencies and delivering effective solutions.
• Oversaw financial aspects including permit fees, Section 74 overruns, defects, and inspection charges, ensuring proper mitigation.
• Managed Major Works projects, ensuring minimal network disruption.
• Conducted NRASWA SLG and reinstatement inspections, audits, and surveys, ensuring compliance.
• Provided NRASWA Traffic Management guidance to technical staff, utilities, developers, and the public.

• Created the Street Works Permit Scheme, managed, assessed, and coordinate Borough wide street works permit/notice applications and associated street works.
• Provided major utility projects partnering management.
• Undertook and managed Highway Safety Inspections with Court Claims representation.
• Managed NRASWA SLG and Reinstatement inspections and surveys and prepared technical reports.
• Liaised and gave NRASWA Traffic Management guidance to other technical staff, utilities/developers, and members of the public.
• Delivered utility diversion and re-routing consultancy and guidance.
• Advised and took enforcement action against alleged Highways Act of 1980 offenders.
• Oversaw and advised on NRASWA/Highways Act 1980 Licensing.
• Produced legal briefs for TTRO’s and assessed/signed off Appendix 1/17.
• Collected, maintained, updated/utilised technical and other data.
• Investigated reports, including preparation of reports/statements for support in Court cases.

• CG Legal - Highway Law & Enforcement
• NRSWA - Accredited Supervisor.
• IOSH - Managing Safely
• NRSWA, SROH, TMA 2014 & Traffic Management
• Local Authority Licensing
• Street Works Systems - Symology/Street Manager
• Equality & Diversity