Utility giants to be punished with hourly charges for digging up roads

FIRMS that cause travel chaos will be charged by the hour to dig up busy roads under a plan to cut disruption.

Ministers believe delays caused by roadworks could be halved under the proposals which may be introduced in 2019.

Local authorities will get the power to charge utility companies based on how long they take to carry out works on selected routes, encouraging them to avoid busy roads and peak times.

The so-called ‘lane rental plan’ will incentivise firms to work together when they need to dig up congested routes.

The 2.5million roadworks carried out each year across the country cost the economy about £4billion because commuters are unable to get to work on time, deliveries are delayed and retailers lose business.

The same sections of roads are often dug up repeatedly by utility firms including water and gas companies and internet providers.

Officials hope the proposals will improve journey times for drivers and boost the economy.

Trials in London and Kent have seen severe congestion caused by utility works fall by more than half. Firms can avoid the charges by carrying out works during evenings and weekends or coordinating their plans.

In London, utility companies have worked together more than 600 times since the trials began.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: ‘Delays caused by roadworks can be the bane of drivers’ lives, especially 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.’

The Department for Transport is launching an eight-week consultation on different options to minimise disruption. Currently, most

‘On the side of frustrated drivers’

councils use permit schemes to monitor roadworks, but lane rental would give them extra powers to manage works on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says the scheme can incentivise utility companies to complete the job because they can be forced to rectify poor work and pay the charge again.

It claims councils spend nearly a fifth of their maintenance budgets, about £220million, on tackling badly done utility roadworks.

Martin Tett, the LGA’s transport spokesman, said it has been calling for fines for utility firms for several years. ‘Councils are on the side of frustrated motorists who find themselves spending hours held up in tailbacks,’ he said.

‘We’re confident these new measures will help minimise delays from roadworks, and keep traffic moving on our local roads. The sooner councils get on top of this problem the better.’ Edmund King, the AA president, said: ‘Lane rental is a positive step and will help focus the minds of utility companies. 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.’

He urged the Government to ensure companies didn’t just patch up roads poorly to keep within the time frame.

Utility firms say the scheme will make it harder for them to build infrastructure for consumers.

National Joint Utilities Group Chief Executive Bob Gallienne said: ‘Utilities companies are delivering the infrastructure that the UK needs to drive up productivity, create growth and deliver on priorities such as broadband and new homes. Lane rental schemes make it harder for utilities companies to deliver vital infrastructure.’