Mayor backs 'holy war on holey streets'

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Activists from Stop The Flydiggers handed out leaflets outside the Atrium restaurant, near Parliament, where the National Joint Utilities Group was holding its reception.

The protesters say utilities cause massive disruption by digging up the same roads.

They are campaigning for new laws to force the firms to co-ordinate their plans.

Mayor Boris Johnson backed the protest. He said: "Londoners are sick and tired of sitting in traffic jams caused by enigmatic craters that litter major roads.

"It is time for a holy war against holey streets. The utility companies need to understand the true cost of the chaos they cause by their unheralded excavations.

"We're pressing ahead with a permit scheme, but current rules allow only piffling fines.

"We need to go much further with a powerful fining regime and new powers to hold their feet to the fire," he added.

"We need new powers from the Government to end this madness once and for all."