Government To Introduce Lane Rentals

Tuesday, 23. August 2011

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This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned this as I’m usually at the cutting edge of news! As you know! The Government is about to introduce lane rentals, a charge to be made on utility companies and local authorities when they disrupt traffic by digging up roads during peak times causing delays and environmental damage. The idea is to encourage the digging up of roads during non peak times, i.e. at night when drivers are going to be least inconvenienced.

The reason for this action is the estimated cost to the economy of £4 billion each year as a result of congestion caused by road works at peak times.

The Department for Transport has put forward a consultation and draft guidance for councils to consider. They outline how a lane rental scheme could work. Any council wishing to implement such a scheme would need approval from the Department.

In order to test the effectiveness of such a scheme the councils have been advised to test it in an urban area and a non-metropolitan area.

The proposals are clear that the lane closures are avoidable (ie not an emergency gas or water leak) and proportionate to the disruption caused and cost of congestion.

Councils are encouraged to apply the same rules to their own works and create a similar lane rental scheme that they must abide by and fits the needs of their local community.

Any revenue raised is to be used to fund measures that will help authorities to minimise disruption in the future and introduce works management systems. What are your views? Good idea that will work or will the cost of repairs increase and cost us more in council tax? By Graham Hill