The proposals would allow local authorities to charge
utility companies by the hour to carry out works on
selected routes, encouraging them to avoid busy roads and
peak times, and incentivising them to join together when
they do need to dig up congested routes.
The 2.5 million roadworks currently carried out each year
cost the economy £4 billion because people are unable to
get to work on time or deliveries are delayed, resulting
in higher costs for business. The proposals outlined
today could improve journey-times for drivers at the same
time as delivering a boost to the economy.
Successful trials in London and Kent have already seen
severe congestion caused by utility works fall by more
than half.
Firms could avoid the charges by carrying out works
during evenings and weekends or coordinating their plans.
In London, utility companies have worked together more
than 600 times since the trials began, up from just 100
beforehand.
The schemes also act as an incentive for companies to
avoid congested routes and peak times where possible.
Giving councils more options in how they can manage
roadworks will help support the delivery of national
infrastructure projects such as the rollout of broadband
fibre.
Transport Secretary said:
Delays caused by roadworks can be the bane of drivers’
lives – especially when they take place at rush hour on
busy routes.
These proposals would give councils greater powers to
ensure utility companies avoid carrying out works at
the busiest times and on the most popular routes. This
would not only improve journeys and cut congestion but
also save businesses from the increased costs they
incur as a result of traffic on our roads.
The Department for Transport are consulting on a series
of options to minimise the disruption of works for road
users and businesses, and to make schemes more efficient
for utility companies carrying out necessary works.
Currently, most local authorities use permit schemes to
monitor roadworks, but lane rental would give them
additional powers to manage works on the busiest roads at
the busiest times.
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport for
Transport for London, said:
We’re delighted about these plans to extend the lane
rental scheme nationally. It has been a resounding
success in the capital, with the amount of severe
disruption caused by badly-managed or poorly-timed
roadworks more than halved. This has helped improve
journey times for bus passengers, drivers and cyclists,
while also helping to tackle emissions.
We are consulting on
options for such schemes and this consultation closes in
8 weeks. We could introduce changes by 2019.
