BCP Council backs new scheme to cut roadwork disruption across the area
The Council hopes the Lane Rental Scheme will increase efficiency and encourage better planning of roadworks.
A new scheme to charge utility companies and contractors to work on the busiest roads has been backed by BCP Council.
The government-endorsed Lane Rental Scheme would allow the council to charge utilities and contractors up to £2,500 a day.
80 per cent of works on BCP roads are carried out by utility providers, not council workers.
Under the scheme, contractors – including the council’s own teams – will be charged higher rates when working on traffic-sensitive routes at busier times.
It is hoped the scheme will encourage more effective planning so roadworks are carried out faster. This could mean planning roadworks at off-peak times and to complete them to the required standard first time, so they do not need to return.
The council says most respondents to their recent public consultation supported the scheme’s introduction.
The Full Council gave the scheme the green light last night and BCP Council is now free to apply to the Transport Secretary for permission to go ahead with it.
Cllr Andy Hadley, whose BCP Council portfolio includes highways, said: “We know how frustrating roadworks can be for our residents and road users."
“There’s never an ideal time for roadworks, but they are necessary to maintain and improve our highways and public infrastructure."
“I’m pleased we’ve been able to progress proposals that have the potential to significantly cut roadwork disruption, incentivising contactors to schedule works at quieter times and take less time to complete them."
“The plans we’re putting forward are overwhelmingly supported by our communities with 85 per cent of residents who responded to the consultation backing the introduction of a Lane Rental Scheme.”