Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will reverse its decision not to extend the lane rental scheme to trunk roads operated by Highways England.

The Lane Rental Scheme mentioned is available to all highway authorities that wish to use it and that apply to the Secretary of State in line with bidding guidance published in September 2018.

Highways England believe that they have sufficient powers under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and other procedures in place, to encourage utility companies to complete works on the Strategic Road Network quickly and effectively. The Department has not made any decision to exclude authorities from Lane Rental Schemes.