25/01/10 Tackling Problem Road Works - Permit scheme

New guidance to help local authorities take on powers to tackle problem road works was published today by Transport Minister Sadiq Khan MP as Kent - the first council to apply for such powers - brings them into force.

Road works permit schemes give councils more power to coordinate road works and to take tough action when they overrun.  Once a scheme is in place companies must apply for a permit before they start road works and abide by conditions on timing, coordination or the amount of road space to be left available to road users during the works.  Anyone who breaks the terms of their permit or works without a permit could be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £5,000. 

The new guidance published today will help other local authorities to develop and apply for their own permit schemes. 

Sadiq Khan said: "Everyone knows that road works are necessary to keep essential infrastructure in good order but councils and utility companies need to do everything possible to keep disruption to a minimum for the travelling public.

"I am delighted that the Kent scheme is up and running and am pleased that more and more councils across the country are developing plans to introduce their own permit schemes.  We introduced these schemes to give local authorities more power to manage and co-ordinate road works and the guidance we are publishing today will make it easier for other councils to develop high quality permit schemes and so reduce inconvenience for all those who use the roads.

"This is just one part of a package of Government measures to reduce the disruption caused by road works.  We also plan to consult on higher financial penalties for companies who allow their road works to overrun as well as on lane rental charges for firms operating on the most traffic sensitive routes."

A permit scheme in London came into force earlier this month, to help tackle road works disruption in the capital.

The guidance for councils applying for permit schemes can be found here: www.dft.gov.uk/roads/streetworks. 

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