Delays caused by roadworks could be halved under new Government plans to charge utility companies by the hour to conduct roadworks.
The proposals outlined by the Department for Transport suggest allowing local authorities to charge utility companies by the hour to carry out works on selected routes, encouraging them to avoid busy roads at peak times and working together when they need to dig up roads.
It is estimated that the current 2.5 million roadworks carried out on UK roads costs the economy an additional £4 billion from lost productivity, delays, and rising business costs.
Successful trials in London and Kent have already seen delays caused by roadworks fall by a half as utility companies have increased the amount they work together by six-fold. Councils currently use permit schemes to monitor roadworks, but lane rental would give them additional powers to manage roadworks during busy periods.
The consultation will run until November this year with changes to be introduced by 2019.
• Motorway speed limits near roadworks could be raised
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “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.”
Edmund King, president of the AA said: “Drivers are always baffled that the water company will dig a hole and fill it, only for it to be opened up again by their broadband provider weeks later. We hope that collaboration and cooperative work plans between service providers will now be standard practice.
“One issue that we hope is resolved with lane rental is making sure that whoever digs up the road returns it back in a good state. It wouldn’t be acceptable for the road to be patched up quickly and poorly, just to try and keep within their rental period.”
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