GOVERNMENT ACTION


GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON DISRUPTIVE ROAD WORKS TO CUT CONGESTION AND IMPROVE ROADS


A crackdown on disruptive roadworks could cut congestion for millions of drivers and generate up to £100m extra to resurface roads, as the first key measures from the Government’s Plan for Drivers were delivered on 15 January. Roads Minister Guy Opperman has launched a street works consu- ltation on a series of measures to prevent utility companies from letting roadworks overrun and clogging up traffic as a result. The consultation seeks to extend the current £10,000 per day fine for overrunning street works into weekends and bank holidays as a deterrent for working on the busiest days


for road travel.


Currently, they are only fined for disruption on working days. The measures could double fines from £500 up to a maximum of £1,000 for companies that breach conditions of the job, such as working without a permit. The plans would also direct at least 50% of money from lane rental schemes to be used to improve roads and repair potholes. Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to


charge


companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road. As a result, the measures could generate up to £100m extra over ten years to resurface roads while helping tackle congestion, cutting down journey times and helping drivers get from A to B more easily. Launching on National Pothole Day, the consultation is part of a series of measures from the Government’s Plan for Drivers, a 30-point plan to support people’s freedoms to use their cars,


PHTM FEBRUARY 2024


poorly reinstated roads from utilities companies frustrate drivers, cause unnecessary congestion and trench


defects can damage


curb over-zealous enforcement measures and back drivers. Guy Opperman said: “Being stuck in traffic is infuriating for drivers. Too often traffic jams are caused by overrunning street works. “This Government is backing drivers with a robust approach to utility companies and others, who dig up our streets.” While it’s essential that gas, water and other utility companies carry out vital maintenance work, the two million street works carried out in England in 2022/2023 have cost the economy around £4b by causing severe road congestion and disrupting journeys. The consultation comes after the Government introduced a per- formance-based “street works regime” to ensure utility com- panies resurface roads to the best possible standard, and new lane rental schemes where utility companies can be charged up to £2,500 per day for street works. The measures can also help boost active travel by preventing street works from disrupting walking and cycling, while also providing opportunities to improve pave- ments, pedestrian crossings and and cycle lanes. Edmund King, AA president, said: “Overrunning roadworks and


vehicles and injure cyclists. “We are pleased that the Gov- ernment is looking to extend the fines for over-running street works, invest more of the surplus fines in roads and ensure that those who dig up the roads repair them to a high and timely standard.” In addition, the Government plans to make all temporary, experi- mental or permanent restrictions on traffic digital. These so called “Traffic Regulation Orders” (TROs) include things such as the location of parking spaces, road closures and speed limits. Making these digital means that they must now be added to sat nav systems, ensuring drivers have the most up-to-date information making journeys easier. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Drivers shouldn’t have to put up with temporary roadworks for any longer than is necessary, so we’re pleased the Government is looking to do more to guarantee that utility companies minimise disruption by carrying out road- works quickly and efficiently. "They should also leave roads in better condition than they found them, which unfortunately is currently hardly ever the case.” The measures follow the biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements, with £8.3b of re- directed HS2 funding – enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across England, as the Govern- ment continues to be on the side of drivers.


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