DfT issues guidance on lane rental schemes, plans pilot with three authorities

The Department for Transport has published guidance for local authorities on putting lane rental schemes in place.

However, schemes will only be introduced in three authorities initially so the DfT can “gather evidence on the effectiveness of lane rental”.

Under the schemes, councils will be able to charge utility companies up to £2,500 a day when they dig up the busiest roads at peak times.

The charges would not be payable if the work is done during off-peak periods or, where appropriate, at night.

One of the three pioneer authorities will be a metropolitan authority. The Department said it was looking for authorities to apply to be part of the pilot. However, it added that the pioneer areas would have to have tried all other options, such as a permit scheme.

The guidance, which can be downloaded here, sets out that lane rental charges must be “avoidable and proportionate to the costs of congestion”.

Councils will be encouraged to apply the same principles to their own works, the DfT added.

Revenues raised will also have to be used by councils to fund measures aimed at reducing future road works disruption. This might include infrastructure work, research or measures to improve the management of works.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “While permit schemes are working well to reduce disruption from roadworks in areas where they have been sanctioned we think it sensible to try out a further option. We believe lane rental schemes provide a further incentive to utility companies and local authorities to carry out their works at times when they will cause the minimum disruption and to complete them as quickly as possible.”

The relevant lane rental regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly. An authority will need the DfT’s approval to implement a scheme. Councils will also have to set out charge levels appropriate to their individual circumstances. The maximum charge will be £2,500 per day.

The DfT said that changes to various aspects of street works legislation, had rendered the existing lane rental regulations are “out of date and, in effect, inoperable”.

Permit schemes are used by Transport for London and most London boroughs, as well as Kent County Council and Northamptonshire County Council. St Helens has recently received approval for a scheme.