Charges could be imposed on peak time roadworks

Organisations choosing to carry out roadworks at peak times could face a £2,500 daily charge.

Lincolnshire County Council said the move was being considered as a way to reduce disruption and get work finished more quickly.

The charges could be imposed on utility companies, developers and councils, with a report stating the measure would "encourage promoters to minimise the duration of works".

The county council's highways committee will discuss the measure at a meeting on 2 November, and public consultation will be carried out before a final decision is made.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it is estimated the charges would bring in an extra £2m a year, but a council report said it aimed to "influence behaviour and reduce disruption" rather than generate income.

The report said the fees would encourage firms to "undertake activities outside peak traffic periods, collaborate more effectively, adopt innovative construction methods and traffic management arrangements and, wherever practicable, avoid incurring lane rental charges".

The council said it had received 74,000 applications for permits to carry out work on the county's roads in 2025/26, with at least 2,000 of them clashing with other work.

"Lane rental schemes" were introduced in London in 2012 before being implemented in other areas.

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