A scheme which
gives councils greater power to co-ordinate works on their roads
will extend into a further seven London boroughs after they
received the go-ahead by Regional and Local Transport Minister
Norman Baker today.
Greenwich, Harrow, Lambeth, Newham, Richmond, Southwark and
Waltham Forest have all been successful in their application to
run road works permit schemes. The schemes will allow the boroughs
to require anyone carrying out road works to apply for a permit in
advance and to set conditions on timing, coordination or the
amount of road space to be left available to road users during the
works. Those companies who break the terms of their permit or work
without a permit can be fined.
The London Permit Scheme has run since January 2010 and
today's approvals will see a further seven boroughs join it.
Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:
"Everyone who lives and works in London has experienced
the frustration of having their journey disrupted by road works
and I want to see councils and utility companies doing all they
can to reduce the problems works cause for the travelling public.
"That is why I am pleased that these seven councils are
now able to join the London Permit Scheme and hope this will bring
real benefits to more Londoners."
Last month the Department for Transport and Transport for London
announced a joint £1million research project to examine innovative
engineering techniques which could see utilities use temporary
road surfacing methods and fast-setting replacement road surfaces.
This would allow more work to be carried out at quieter times and
for roads to be re-opened during peak traffic periods.
Notes to Editors
1. Permit schemes are currently in place in: City of London,
Westminster City Council, The Royal Borough of Kensington and
Chelsea and the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Bromley, Camden,
Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham,
Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Redbridge, Wandsworth and
across the TfL network. 2. Outside London, Kent and
Northamptonshire have put schemes in place. 3. Other local
authorities currently drawing up plans for permit schemes are
Common Permit Scheme (East of England), Greater Manchester Roads
Activity Permit Scheme (GMRAPS), Merseyside Authorities Permit
Scheme (MAPS) and Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme. Press Enquiries:
020 7944 3066Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292Public Enquiries: 0300 330
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Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Roads
Phone: DfT Press Office 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk