BCP Council considers charging firms £2,500 a day for roadworks on busy routes
Plans are being put forward by BCP Council to reduce roadwork disruption across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s busiest roads
BCP Council is considering a radical shake-up of how roadworks are managed across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Under new plans which have gone out to a public consultation, the council wants to introduce a Local Lane Rental Scheme on some of the area’s busiest roads.
If approved by the transport secretary, the scheme would allow the authority to charge utility companies and contractors up to £2,500 a day for digging up key routes at peak times.
The principle is simple: the more disruption a set of works is likely to cause, and the busier the time of day, the higher the charge.
It’s said to be a financial incentive to make roadworks quicker, less disruptive and better planned.
Companies would be encouraged to work overnight, at weekends, or to coordinate jobs so roads aren’t repeatedly torn up.
Andy Hadley said the aim was to strike a balance between necessity and nuisance: “There is never an ideal time for roadworks but they are essential to maintain and improve the infrastructure our communities rely on.
“Lane rental has been shown elsewhere to reduce congestion and support local businesses.”
In West Sussex, where a similar scheme has been operating, the total duration of roadworks was cut by more than 3,000 days in its first 16 months, with utility works completed around a third faster.
Only a limited number of roads could be included, no more than 10% of the local network.
These would be selected based on traffic volumes, bus routes and the frequency of works, meaning the scheme would focus on the most chronically congested areas.
Residents have until the 1st of February 2026 to have their say.