UK lane rental schemes set to go nationwide to help reduce congestion

UK lane rental schemes, where utility companies can be charged up to £2,500 ($3,499) each day for digging up the busiest roads at peak times, can be adopted by councils as part of a government approved strategy to help reduce congestion. The announcement follows successful trials conducted in London and Kent. This scheme aims to incentivise firms to work on quieter roads or outside of rush hour as well as collaborate with other companies to prevent roads from being dug up multiple times. Around 2.5 mi
February 20, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
UK lane rental schemes, where utility companies can be charged up to £2,500 ($3,499) each day for digging up the busiest roads at peak times, can be adopted by councils as part of a government approved strategy to help reduce congestion. The announcement follows successful trials conducted in London and Kent.


This scheme aims to incentivise firms to work on quieter roads or outside of rush hour as well as collaborate with other companies to prevent roads from being dug up multiple times.

Around 2.5 million roadworks are carried out each year, costing the economy £4bn ($5.5bn) in increased costs to businesses through late employees or deliveries.

The 1837 Department for Transport will provide guidance in the autumn to help councils develop lane rental schemes for approval. Initial schemes could start by the end of 2019.

Jo Johnson, transport minister, said: “Drivers often see red when roadworks cause them delays, especially if no one is working on them. Lane rental has seen a massive drop in disruption to drivers as utility companies have changed when and where they carry out work. Now we want millions of motorists around England to get the same benefits.

“The Department for Transport carried out a consultation into the scheme last year, and the majority of those responding supported its rollout nationwide. Many said they wanted to take advantage of the ‘clear benefits’ of lane rental schemes.”

Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses, national chairman, responding to the announcement, said: “Congestion on roads is an ongoing and frustrating concern for those that run and work for small businesses and their customers.

"Our own research shows 45% of small firms identify congestion on local roads as their top transport concern, while 31% said frequent roadworks are a major issue affecting their business, in particular the length of time taken to complete the work.

“Getting stuck in traffic costs valuable time and money, so a plan that cuts down on this is a welcome one.”

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Moscow pins hopes on V2X
    March 18, 2020
    A new transport strategy is aimed at creating conditions for the introduction of new ITS developments within Moscow – and 5G and V2X are on the agenda
    Read More
  • Rating agency Standard and Poor Tolling sees a bright future for tolling
    September 6, 2017
    Few disruptions appear on the horizon for global toll road operators, with the US poised to become a better bet for major investment, according to ratings agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P’s) Global Ratings’ 2017 report, which rates toll road operators according to their ability to raise capital. The outlook is generally stable for business conditions and credit quality for toll roads worldwide. One positive exception is the US where the overall outlook is ‘positive’ as S&P expects traffic growth to increase
    Read More
  • The inside story of how traffic chaos was avoided after I-95 collapse
    August 23, 2023
    June’s collapse of major US roadway I-95 in Pennsylvania could have caused lengthy traffic chaos. But - relatively speaking at least - it didn’t and gridlock was avoided. Alan Dron finds out why
    Read More
  • UK buses to benefit from pollution reducing fund
    June 6, 2013
    A number of towns and cities in England will benefit from US$7.7 million in funding to reduce pollution from local buses, local transport minister Norman Baker has announced. Local authorities will be able to bid for grants of up to US$1.5 million from the Department for Transport’s Clean Bus Technology Fund. This will allow them to upgrade local buses with pollution-reducing technologies such as cleaner engines or exhaust after-treatment equipment.
    Read More

Highlighted Content