Companies carrying out roadworks on County Durham’s busiest routes could be charged up to £2,500 a day under a new scheme aimed at cutting congestion.
Durham County Council will introduce its new Lane Rental Scheme from Monday, October 19, covering some of the county’s busiest and most congested roads.
The authority says it is the first council in the North East, and among the first outside of London, to introduce such a scheme.
Under the plans, organisations carrying out roadworks could face daily charges of up to £2,500 if work takes place on designated traffic-sensitive roads during busy periods.
The council hopes the charges will encourage companies to carry out work outside peak travel times, finish jobs more quickly and use methods which cause less disruption.
Around 6.7 per cent of the council’s overall road network will be covered by the scheme, with the list of affected roads reviewed each year using traffic and congestion data.
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “The Lane Rental Scheme will help us keep roads open during the busiest periods while still allowing for important infrastructure works to be carried out.
Cllr Tim McGuinness. (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)
“It will encourage better planning and coordination between organisations, ensuring traffic continues to move across the county efficiently.”
The scheme will apply to planned road and street works covered by the council’s existing permit system, as well as some works carried out by developers and organisations installing equipment on roads.
Companies will be able to avoid charges by scheduling work outside designated peak periods, shortening the length of the works or using less disruptive methods.
Read more
County Durham to forge new links with Italy and revive historic French partnership
Key dates ahead of County Durham by-election caused by Reform UK resignation
County Durham balaclava ban takes step forward as council 'inundated' with 'trouble'
Any profits generated by the scheme will be reinvested in the county’s roads, with at least 50 per cent going towards road maintenance.
Other funding could be used for traffic improvement projects and new technology.
Cllr McGuinness added: “This is a great success story for our highways team and we’re pleased to be the first authority in the North East, and among the first nationally outside of London, to adopt this scheme.”