Plans to charge firms for disruptive roadworks
BBCA council plan to charge companies thousands of pounds for causing disruption on its busiest roads has been recommended for approval.
Durham County Council applied for a lane rental scheme to charge utility firms and highways authorities fees of up to £2,500 a day for peak-time work.
The Reform UK-led authority applied to the Department for Transport in September and, if approved, said it would roll out the charges in July/August on roads including New Elvet and the Thinford Roundabout.
The council said the scheme would help "reduce congestion" and its cabinet would be updated on the progress of the application next week.
It would apply to major roads where "disruption is most severe", the local authority said.
Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport Tim McGuinness said it would "improve traffic flow and reduce delays", as well as benefitting the environment by cutting the time vehicles were idle.
Similar schemes are in operation in London and Kent.
The government said previous evaluations had shown lane rental was an "effective way to reduce works' durations and congestion on the busiest parts of the network".
Durham County Council said it had undertaken a required six-week consultation with the public, utility companies and contractors, public transport operators and emergency services.
The Department for Transport said it was finalising its assessment of the application and would update shortly.
