New powers to
help councils cut the disruption caused by road works were
announced today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.
Under ‘lane rental’ schemes councils will be able to charge
utility companies up to £2,500 a day to dig up the busiest roads
during peak times when road works cause the most disruption. This
will incentivise utility firms to carry out their works more
quickly and at times when roads are quieter. Companies would be
able to avoid the charges by carrying out works during off-peak
periods or, if appropriate, at night.
Following consultation, the Department for Transport has today
published guidance for local authorities wanting to put lane
rental schemes in place. In order to gather evidence on the
effectiveness of lane rental, the Department has proposed that
schemes should initially be used in up to three pioneer
authorities - one metropolitan area and two others - and is
inviting applications from interested local authorities. The
successful pioneer areas will need to have exhausted other
options, including using a permit scheme. They will also be
required to evaluate their lane rental schemes annually and this
evidence will be used to decide how further lane rental schemes
should be implemented.
Norman Baker said:
"It is incredibly frustrating to find vital roads being
dug up in the middle of the rush hour or, even worse, traffic
lanes closed when no one is even carrying out any work.
"This disruption is not only inconvenient but very
expensive, with roadworks-related congestion costing the economy
an estimated £4 billion a year, which is why we are taking firm action.
“While permit schemes are working well to reduce disruption from
roadworks in areas where they have been sanctioned we think it
sensible to try out a further option. We believe lane rental
schemes provide a further incentive to utility companies and local
authorities to carry out their works at times when they will cause
the minimum disruption and to complete them as quickly as possible.”
The guidance which accompanies the new powers makes it clear that
lane rental charges must be avoidable and proportionate to the
costs of congestion. Councils are also being encouraged to apply
the same principles to their own works and come forward with lane
rental schemes which fit the needs of their local area.
Any revenue raised from the implementation of lane rental charges
will have to be used by councils to fund measures which could help
to reduce future road works disruption. This could include
infrastructure work, research or measures to improve the
management of works.
Notes to Editors
1. The consultation closed on 31st October and can be found
here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-25. Guidance to
local authorities can be found here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/street-works-lane-rental/ 2.
Lane rental regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly. 3.
Any authority wishing to implement lane rental would need to apply
to the Department for approval to do so. Local councils will need
to propose charge levels that are appropriate to their individual
circumstances. In particular, they will need to show that their
charges are proportionate to the costs imposed by works on the
roads in question. This is subject to a maximum charge of £2,500
per day. 4. The primary legislation (section 74A of the New Roads
and Street Works Act 1991) provides the necessary powers for local
highway authorities to put in place lane rental schemes, subject
(in England) to the approval of the Secretary of State, and allows
Regulations to make further provision about such schemes. 5. Lane
rental pilot schemes were operated in Camden and Middlesbrough
between 2002 and 2004, but no further schemes have since been
implemented. As a result of subsequent changes to various aspects
of street works legislation, the existing lane rental Regulations
are now out of date and, in effect, inoperable. 6. Permit schemes
give local authorities greater powers to co-ordinate works on
their roads. Permit schemes are currently being operated by
Transport for London and most of the London boroughs, Kent County
Council and Northamptonshire County Council. Approval has recently
been granted for a new scheme in St Helens. Press Enquiries: 020
7944 3066Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292Public Enquiries: 0300 330
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Contacts:
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