By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Charges of up to £2,500 a day for carrying out roadworks in Southampton’s busiest roads could be introduced by the city council.

 

 

Southampton City Council is looking to launch a ‘lane rental scheme’, which would apply to almost 20 per cent of the road network at peak hours.

Under the proposal, which requires approval from the Department for Transport (DfT), fees would be applicable to all roadwork promoters, including developers, utility firms and the council’s own highways work.

The council’s plan would feature a £2,500 daily charge for a road closure and £1,500 for a lane closure or temporary traffic signals.

Cabinet members are being asked to sign off on submitting an application to the DfT.

An officer report said: “The implementation of a lane rental scheme would allow the council to charge any works promoter carrying out any registerable works in the street for the time those works occupy the highway, in a bid to reduce the amount of time traffic is disrupted whilst works are being carried out.

“It is anticipated a lane rental scheme would incentivise the completion of works in an efficient and expeditious manner, thereby reducing the disruption from the works on the network.”

All income from the scheme would go into a fund. In the first instance this would be used to cover the cost of setting up and running the programme.

Any remaining surplus would be used for schemes or innovations that reduce congestion.

The government recently announced that at least 50 per cent of any surplus can be used for road maintenance works, such as pothole repairs or resurfacing.

Lane rental schemes are currently operated by Transport for London, Kent County Council, Surrey County Council and West Sussex County Council.

• As reported, in January Southampton City Council said they were issuing SGN with a fixed penalty notice after faulty traffic lights, pictured, caused widespread disruption during what were described as “essential gas works”.