Hourly fees for digging up highways could end curse of ‘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 roads.

In an effort 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 higher fees.

Roadworks cost the economy an estimated £4billion per year because of delayed deliveries or people arriving late for work, studies have shown.

So-called phantom roadworks are areas often protected by cones but where staff are rarely seen actually working. They can be left in place for weeks with very little activity.

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 since 2012 and more recently in Kent – which the Department for Transport (DFT) say have halved congestion. 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 repeatedly dug up.

The DFT says that in London utility companies have worked hand in hand 600 times since the trials began, compared with just 100 times before.

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: “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.”

Lane rental would give authorities additional powers to manage works on the busiest roads at the busiest times. The changes, currently out to consultation, could come into force from 2019.

Previous plans to tackle roadwork chaos included the Cones Hotline introduced in 1992 only to be wound up shortly afterwards amid ridicule that it cost thousands of pounds and nobody really knew what its point was.

Cllr Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, said: “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.