Companies face £2,500 daily fines under major roadworks crackdown
Huge change for roadworks as council targets peak-time disruption
Companies will be charged up to £2,500 a day for carrying out work on the busiest roads across the Wakefield Council district under a new scheme aimed at cutting traffic congestion.
The so-called lane rental scheme allows the local authority to use powers to charge firms, including utilities, if they operate on key routes during the busiest times of day.
Keith Anderson, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for highways, transport and planning, said: “We know that road works across the district cause delays and disruption to drivers.
“By having the power to charge for these works, we expect to minimise that disruption.
“A more reliable and free-flowing road network supports our economy, connects people and businesses, and makes Wakefield a better place to live and work.”
The scheme, to be introduced later this year, aims to reduce the impact of work on the highway and encourages organisations to schedule works outside peak periods, as well as working more efficiently to minimise disruption.
Wakefield, Leeds and Kirklees councils have worked together to secure Department for Transport (DfT) approval for their schemes, which they plan to launch at the same time.
A Wakefield Council spokesperson said: “The consistent approach will also help iron out any issues when planning cross-border work.
“Alongside reducing disruption and delays during peak times, the schemes should help improve local air quality and improve the reliability of public transport by protecting key bus routes.”
Wakefield Council is responsible for maintaining 1,454 km of roads, 1,944 km of footways, and 150 km of cycle lanes and tracks.
Details of the scheme were first revealed in August last year as the council’s regeneration, environment and economic growth scrutiny committee discussed the prioritisation of highway works in the district.