Roadworks crackdown could lead to fines

Proposals have been launched to combat disruption on local roads and ensure roadworks are completed as soon as possible.

Currently being considered by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, the proposals include seven-day working and charges to councils leaving temporary lights in place following completion or for leaving roadworks in place when no work is ongoing.

Councils and utility companies could face paying up to £5,000 a day if roadworks needlessly inconvenience motorists, by being left in place over a weekend, when no one is actually working.

Contractors working on A roads, managed by Council’s, will either have to work over the weekend, finish the project in a smaller time frame, or even lift the works until they resume.

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said: “I want to deliver better journeys for drivers. Roadworks can be essential, but that doesn’t mean they should be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary. That is why I am looking at proposals to reduce queues and make drivers’ lives easier. These commonsense measures will be a welcome relief to those trying to get from A to B on our local roads.

“Over Christmas we were able to lift a massive number of roadworks on trunk roads, but this package of measures will benefit drivers all the year round.”

Motorists will benefit from reduced congestion, with faster and more reliable journeys.

What this will mean for Councils, contractors and costs is yet to be seen.

Councillor Peter Box, the Local Government Association’s environment spokesman, said there was already a strong financial incentive for roadworks to be finished as quickly as possible, because equipment hire and labour was expensive.

“Often works are left unattended for a very good reason, for example to let concrete dry. These fines may mean we end up paying people to watch concrete dry because it is cheaper.”

He continued: “Councils and utility companies are working closely together to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. We have long called for the expansion of the lane rental scheme, which currently operates in London, where it has reduced delays significantly. Under the scheme, contractors pay for the time they occupy busy roads and are therefore incentivised to get the job done properly and on time.”

The National Joint Utilities Group said: “Any solution needs to balance all the conflicting priorities, including reducing disruption, operational impacts, meeting customers’ needs and keeping costs to a minimum.

“We will of course be reviewing the government’s proposals in detail once they are available and responding to the consultation.”

This initiative will sit alongside the government’s £15Bn Road investment strategy designed to help transform England’s road network, thus creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and fixing longstanding problems that inconvenience drivers.

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