UK Edition
Utility companies could be charged by the hour for digging up busy roads to end 'phantom' roadworks
The end of 'phantom' roadworks could be in sight as ministers consider plans to charge utility companies by the hour for digging up Britain's roads.
In a bid to cut traffic jams and put an end to frustration over blocked off streets the Government is consulting on plans to hand extra power to councils to charge bigger fees.
Roadworks cost the economy an estimated £4 billion per year because of delayed deliveries or people arriving late for work, studies have shown.
Now Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, believes delays could be halved by encouraging utility firms to avoid digging up busy roads at peak times and to join together when more than one of them needs to carry out work.
Trials have already been carried out in London and Kent which the Department for Transport says has halved congestion caused on roads and streets.
Firms avoid being charged if they carry out the work at night or at weekends or by collaborating with other companies so areas are not dug up, repaired and then drilled into once again.
The DfT says that in London utility companies have worked hand in hand 600 times since the trials began, compared with just 100 times beforehand.
Ministers want to roll out the scheme across England to give councils the option of charging by the hour for busy roads to be dug up during the day.
Mr Grayling 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.”
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.
The changes, which are currently out to consultation, could come into force from 2019.
The Government has previously set out plans to tackle roadwork chaos on Britain's roads, including a memorable initiative introduced by Sir John Major when he was in power.
A cone hotline was set up for the public to call in and report useless cones clogging up the UK's roads.
Launched in 1992 it was wound up shortly afterwards amid ridicule that it cost thousands of pounds and nobody really knew what the point of it was.
Since then the lane rental scheme, which is set to be extended under plans released today, has been successfully working in London since 2012 and has also been introduced in Kent.
Commenting on the announcement councillor Martin Tett, the Local Government Association's transport spokesman, said: “The LGA has been calling for lane rental powers for councils for a number of years. We are delighted that the Government has accepted our calls and acknowledged the success of pilot schemes in London and Kent.
“Councils are on the side of frustrated motorists who find themselves spending wasted hours held up in tailbacks. We’re confident these new measures will help minimise delays from roadworks, and keep traffic moving on our local roads.
“It is crucial that councils are given these powers without lengthy national approval mechanisms, so they can ensure critical roadworks are carried out as quickly as possible. The sooner councils are allowed to get on top of this problem the better.
“We look forward to working with government to make sure that any new system allows vital work to be completed as soon as it possibly can be.”